Credentials

Work Experience

Hillsides

Residential Art Therapist, Pasadena, CA | May 2023-present

• Provided intensive individual art therapy to children ages 7-18 in a residential setting to address crisis behaviors like suicidality, self-injury, severe depression and anxiety, panic attacks, aggression, and substance use

• Facilitated family session with clients and loved ones to build communication skills and repair interpersonal ruptures for successful reunification

• Spearheaded weekly meetings with support staff to convey client needs within the residential milieu, educate about symptoms and diagnoses, and create behavior plans

Therapeutic Play Foundation

Mental Health Counselor/Art Therapist, Pasadena, CA | August 2022-December 2022

• Incorporated targeted art and play interventions into therapy sessions with youth and adults to promote creative expression, emotional regulation, and self-understanding

• Organized and facilitated biweekly art therapy groups for adults with anxiety and depression focusing on socialization, creative expression, and improved self-esteem

• Trained and mentored four clinical interns on the development and execution of individualized treatment plans for their clients

Denver Children’s Home

Art Therapy Intern, Denver, CO | August 2021-May 2022

• Utilized trauma-informed, social-justice oriented, and person-centered art therapy and DBT to provide individual therapy sessions to youth managing trauma and family separation in residential care

• Planned and facilitated five weekly art therapy groups focusing on treatment goals of building frustration tolerance, self-expression, and emotional regulation

• Accurately and efficiently documented all client contact and maintained up-to-date client files

International Rescue Committee

Psychosocial Support Intern, Denver, CO | January 2021-May 2021

• Facilitated weekly art therapy group for teenagers addressing pandemic isolation and social challenges 

• Co-facilitated women’s art therapy group addressing pandemic isolation, family, and gender

• Worked with interpreters to call clients and check in about their wellbeing 

Boulder Shelter for the Homeless

Naropa Community Art Studio Mentor, Boulder, CO | August 2019-May 2020

• Engaged and encouraged participants during weekly open art studio

• Performed third hand interventions to aid participants’ art making

• Prepared, organized, and cleaned materials for participant use

STEAM Exchange   

Art Instructor/Camp Co-Director, Louisville, KY | October 2014-August 2019

• Developed and coordinated mural painting summer camp for disadvantaged children ages 5-18

• Conducted art classes addressing complex social issues like being a minority or having an incarcerated parent

• Utilized reinforcement schedules and deescalation techniques to promote a safe and educational environment

Skills

Therapy

• Social justice-informed care

• Trauma-informed care

• Person-centered care

• Mindfulness-based interventions

• Research-based treatment planning

• Ease maintaining positive and professional relationships with team members

• Innate skill in providing loving kindness and empathetic attunement

Art

• Paint: oil, acrylic, watercolor, and gouache

• 3D media: ceramics, fibers, collage, and sculpture

• Safe and sustainable practices through the use of recycled and nontoxic materials

• Mural painting, both individually and collaboratively as part of a therapeutic group

Education

Naropa University, August 2019-May 2022

• MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, concentration in Transpersonal Art Therapy

  • 4.0 GPA

University of Louisville, August 2014-May 2018

• BA in Psychology, concentration in Social Sciences

• BFA in Fine Arts, concentration in Oil Painting

  • 3.9 GPA