About
Hello, I’m Alicia.
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Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #136816
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor #14483
Board Certified Art Therapist #20-261
IFS Certified Therapist #CSL-0877
IFS Level 3 trained at IFS Institute -
Certified IFS Therapist #CSL-0877
IFS Levels 1, 2, and 3 trained
Master’s-level specialization in Art Therapy Psychology
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Certified IFS Therapist #CSL-0877
IFS Institute Trainings
Level 1 with Mary Kruger, LMFT, and Jory Agate, LMFTLevel 2 Deepening and Expanding with Pamela Krause, LCSW, and Jim Andralis, LCAT
Level 3 with Richard Schwartz, PhD, and Alexia Rothman, PhD
IFS Program Assistant for IFS Institute Trainings
Level 1 with Pamela Krause, LCSW, and Jory Agate, LMFTLevel 2 Deepening and Expanding with Pamela Krause, LCSW, Tamala Floyd, LCSW, and Kim Paulus, LMFT
Level 2 A Compassionate Approach to Addictive Processes: Addictions and Eating Disorders with Cece Sykes, LCSW, and Kim Paulus, LMFT
Clinical Consultation and Mentorship
Paul Ginter, EdD
Kirsten Lundeberg, LPC, LMFT
Mariel Pastor, LMFT -
Board Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC) with the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB)
Areas of art therapy focus and additional training include trauma, neuroscience, the Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC) framework, and creative externalization within the IFS model
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IFS Institute Annual Conference Pathways to Parts and Self: Creative Externalization Beyond Mapping, presented with Marianne Turley, LMFT – 2022
Case Presentation “Wren’s journey through the brambles toward the Here and Now: A Gestalt approach to trauma in a school setting” – 2020
Guest Lectures/Teaching
• Considerations for Working with Children via Telehealth, NDNU Practicum and Seminar I/II Graduate Course GPY4365/70 – 2020
• Introduction to Internal Family Systems, NDNU Trauma and Art Therapy Treatment Graduate Course GPY4400 – 201919th Annual Graduate Interdisciplinary Conference poster session: Exploring pathways toward psychobiological safety through mindful body-centered art making – 2019
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Book excerpt and artwork in Backos, Amy K. (2021). Post-traumatic stress disorder and art therapy, pp. 142-144. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Dabney, A.L. (2019). Exploring pathways toward psychobiological safety through mindful body-centered art making with sheltered homeless women (Master’s thesis). Notre Dame de Namur University, 2020, 158. ProQuest OpenAccess publication number 22587302.
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California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
American Art Therapy Association (AATA)
Experience
It has been an honor to work in many settings with children, adolescents, and adults of various identities, circumstances, and life experiences.
IFS Telehealth Collective, Psychotherapist – 2021 to 2023
Soul Centric Counseling, Psychotherapist – 2020 to 2022
IFS Institute, Program Assistant supporting various Level 1 and 2 trainings – 2021 to present
IFS-Informed Process Groups, Co-Leader with Karla Amanda Brown, LMFT – 2021-2022
NDNU International Multicultural Service Work – Study Abroad Summer 2019
• Community engagement and trauma support with Nicaraguan refugees in Costa Rica
• Art Therapy service project at Evendons Primary School in Wokingham, UK
Practicum and Post-Degree Internship, Beechwood School via Acknowledge Alliance, K-8 School Counselor in a historically marginalized community – 2019-2021
Fieldwork, Studio Art Group Leader at LifeMoves, an organization providing interim housing and supportive services to unhoused individuals/families – 2018-2019
Why I Became a Therapist
As is true for many in healing and helping professions, our own difficult experiences can lead us to this work. Doing my own work and healing with a skilled and Self-led IFS therapist converged with my search for a more fulfilling second career after spending fifteen years in fine art and communication design. There came a point where all the pieces fell into place, and I knew I wanted to be able to offer this kind of healing to others.
Additional Training
IFS Continuity Program ongoing learning that deepens knowledge and skills of IFS through special topics, guest presenters, and case consultation - 2020 to present
Creative Consultation for Psychedelic Healing using art therapy in preparation and integration with Alyssa Gursky, LPC - 2024
Intent, Impact, and Intercultural Competence with Jory Agate, LMHC, and Fatimah Finney, LMHC - 2023
Introduction to Psychedelics for IFS Practitioners with Nancy L. Morgan, PhD - 2022
Somatic IFS for Chronic Pain with Susan McConnell, CHT - 2022
IFS in Groups with Chris Burris, LPC, LMFT and Jory Agate, LMHC - 2021
Trauma and IFS Masterclass with Janina Fisher, PhD - 2021
Engaging the Whole Person, Working Toward Authenticity and Understanding in the Clinical Practice of LGBTQ Clients with Missy Satterberg, PhD, LMFT, ATR-BC and Zara Drapkin, LCSW - 2020
Mindful Resilience Training (MRT) Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher Training with Veterans Yoga Project - 2018
Better Practices in Art Therapy with Dissociative Spectrum Disorders with Cynthia Wilson, PhD, ATR-BC - 2018
Professional Interests
I consider myself both an IFS therapist and an art therapist and draw upon both of these areas of training in my work, always tailoring my approach to the individual needs of each client. I enjoy exploring the ways these two connect with the externalizing approach of IFS.
Areas of additional interest and learning include psychedelic preparation and integration, Somatic IFS, mindfulness, and spirituality. My academic studies and research have focused on trauma and neuroscience.
When I’m Not With Clients
I consider myself a lifelong learner. As an adolescent I had a lofty goal to read every book in my small hometown library, and made valiant progress toward that. I enjoy walking in nature, exploring and experiencing new places, connecting with others, gardening, and savoring life’s simple pleasures. I am a foody at heart and hold lifelong identities as an artist and dancer.
Reconnecting to my Self
Nature, creativity, and movement are the most reliable ways for me to access Self energy. Most of the time, this takes the form of walking or spending time outside, preferably amidst tall trees and running water where I can slow down and just be. Yet even the simplest sensory details can bring me back to Self: clouds scattered across a vibrant sky, the glow of the moon, soft new growth on plants, fragrant blooms, wildlife, birdsong, the tree tops dancing with the wind.
“Isn't it odd. We can only see our outsides, but nearly everything happens on the inside.”
— CHARLIE MACKESY, “THE BOY, THE MOLE, THE FOX AND THE HORSE”