Teaching & Public Speaking
I have taught at the college level for more than three decades, both in formal art studio settings and within counseling and multicultural courses. I believe the spaces where we gather to learn and share knowledge hold tremendous potential for growth—not only for students, but for instructors as well. Humans are storytelling beings; we not only tell stories, we learn from one another in ways that help us move beyond our own projections, assumptions, and defenses.
In my teaching and public speaking, I bring a perspective that bridges creative expression with emotional wellness. Whether you are seeking tools for personal growth, inspiration for your organization, or a deeper community understanding of mental health, I offer accessible and engaging presentations that explore how art can serve as a catalyst for self-discovery, stress relief, and emotional resilience.
The creative process isn’t limited to clinical environments. When practiced with intention and in relationship, it supports emotional regulation, enhances communication, and helps us reconnect with meaning and purpose. My talks integrate professional insight, hands-on clinical experience, and real-life stories to illuminate both the science and the soul of how creating helps us heal and thrive.
With extensive experience teaching in diverse settings—from universities and hospitals to community organizations and intimate workshops—I welcome opportunities to collaborate across academic, corporate, and humanitarian spaces, as well as with groups of fellow creatives and seekers.
Topics for a Variety of Settings
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University & Academic
The Art of Knowing: Creativity as a form of research and reflection
From Studio to Self: How making art cultivates resilience and emotional intelligence
Storytelling, Identity, and Belonging: Exploring narrative as a teaching tool
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Mental Health & Healthcare
Beyond Talk Therapy: Integrating creative modalities into clinical practice
Embodiment and Expression: Art as a pathway to trauma-informed care
Art Therapy Across the Lifespan: Adaptations for children, adults, and families
Compassion Fatigue and Creative Renewal: Restoring the healer’s own imagination
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Corporate & Organizational Wellness
Creative Resilience at Work: Using art to reduce stress and increase engagement
Storytelling for Leadership: Communicating with authenticity and purpose
Burnout Prevention Through Artful Awareness: Reframing productivity with presence
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Creative & Multicultural Exploration
Ancestry as Art: Honoring lineage through creative process and personal narrative
Cultural Memory and Material: How objects, rituals, and symbols carry story
Mapping Heritage Through the Senses: Art-making as ancestral dialogue
Bridging Generations Through Creativity: Exploring identity, migration, and belonging
Inquiries & collaborations
If you’re interested in hosting a talk, class, or workshop—or in co-creating a program tailored to your group or organization—I welcome the opportunity to connect. Whether within academia, healthcare, corporate environments, or community-based spaces, my goal is to cultivate experiences that inspire curiosity, connection, and healing through the creative process.
Let’s bring the healing power of art into the conversation.