(510) 841-0888
- Over 10 years of experience facilitating individual and group drama therapy sessions.
- Certified as a Registered Drama Therapist.
- Extensively trained in theater, improvisation and the use of the arts in therapy.
- Extremely reliable and responsible; able to collaborate in a team effort.
- Fluent in SPANISH
MA, Counseling Psychology with focus on Expressive Arts & Drama Therapy,
California Institute of Integral Studies, SF, CA, 1999.
MA, Developmental Psychology, UNC Chapel Hill, NC, 1996.
BA, Psychology, SUNY Albany, NY, Summa Cum Laude, GPA: 3.98, 1993.
Drama Therapist, San Francisco County Jail, Community Works, CA.
- Facilitated Theatre for Change classes with groups of 15-60 men incarcerated for violent crimes.
- Developed theatre classes to support and enhance the Manalive curriculum, which is aimed at reducing violence by increasing awareness of how men are conditioned to behave violently in their families and communities.
Drama Therapist, Living Arts Counseling Center, Oakland, CA.
- Worked with clients with difficulties related to depression, anxiety, relationship struggles, creative blocks, sexuality, body image and other concerns.
- Specialized in working with individuals to create self-revelatory, original performance pieces, to be shared with small or large audiences.
Drama and Play Therapist, Community Services Department of Contra Costa County, 2002-2003.
- Conducted individual play therapy sessions with children suffering from family stressors and/or exhibiting various behavioral disorders (extreme aggression, difficulties with peer relationships, extreme shyness, depression, etc.).
Senior Artist-in-Residence, Performing Arts Workshop, San Francisco, CA, 1998-present.
- Planned and conducted theater arts and creative movement classes for elementary school children, including at-risk youth.
- Worked extensively with children in special education classes and emotionally disturbed children, adapting the theater and movement curriculum to meet their needs.
Drama Therapist, the Cedars of Marin, Ross, CA, 1999-2002
- Facilitated drama therapy sessions with developmentally disabled adults.
- Incorporated multiple arts techniques to assist in the therapeutic process, with an emphasis on drama and movement.
- Designed and directed two independent movie projects with a group of developmentally disabled adults in a weekly drama therapy group.
Expressive Arts Therapist Intern, Berkeley High School, Berkeley, CA, 1998-1999
- Provided individual counseling to adolescents, addressing issues of: self-esteem, family conflicts, depression, eating disorders, suicide.
- Managed a caseload of approximately eight clients per week.
Adjunct Instructor, Child Development Dept., Santa Rosa Junior College, CA, 1998-2001
- Designed and taught classes in Theatre with Children, Child Development and Home, Family, & Community Relations to both English-speaking and Spanish-speaking students.
Actress, various theater companies, San Francisco, CA, 1996-present
- Recent roles/shows include Tina in Tony-n-Tina’s Wedding at the Cable Car Theatre, Richard III with Festival Theatre Ensemble, and The Vagina Monologues at CCC.
- Worked as an improvisational actress for various corporate and public events, including murder mystery shows.
Crisis Counselor, The Riley Center, San Francisco, CA, 1996-1998
- Managed a four-hour weekly shift on the telephone crisis line, responding to urgent calls for help from women in situations of domestic violence.
REFERENCES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST