CV | LORENA FERNANDEZ, Ph.D., REACE®

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Clinical Mental Health Counseling Graduate Student | Experiential Group Therapist | Person-Centered Expressive Arts

Houston, Texas
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorenafernandezphd/
 

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student at Houston Christian University with more than 15 years of experience in Person-Centered Expressive Arts, experiential group facilitation, education, and personal development. Currently facilitating experiential therapy groups at Charlie Health for adults experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. Holds a Ph.D. in Expressive Arts Therapy and brings expertise in creative processes, group dynamics, multicultural engagement, and person-centered approaches. Pursuing advanced clinical training to strengthen counseling competencies and expand the integration of expressive arts into mental health care.

 

EDUCATION

Houston Christian University 
M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, in progress | 2024–Present*

The European Graduate School
Ph.D. in Expressive Arts Therapy | 2012
Graduated summa cum laude. Dissertation: The Effects of Expressive Arts on Decision-Making: Sensemaking in Situations of Complexity and Ambiguity.

Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center

Graduate Certificate: Person-Centered Expressive Arts for Healing and Social Change | 2007 

California State University, Dominguez Hills
M.A. in Humanities | 2021

Texas A&M University
Industrial Engineering | 1994

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CLINICAL AND HELPING-PROFESSION EXPERIENCE

Charlie Health — Experiential Group Therapist
Houston, Texas | January 2024–Present

• Facilitate experiential group therapy for adults experiencing significant mental health challenges in a virtual intensive outpatient setting.

• Lead trauma-focused groups and groups addressing anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation.

• Use person-centered, creative, and experiential processes to support emotional expression, self-awareness, connection, and resilience.

• Adapt group activities to participants' needs and support a respectful, emotionally safe environment.

Expressive Arts Therapy and Group Facilitation
Houston TX USA | Amsterdam, The Netherlands | 2011-2023

• More than 15 years of experience facilitating Person-Centered Expressive Arts groups for personal development, emotional exploration, and healing.

• Design and facilitate creative experiences that support reflection, connection, communication, and meaning-making.

• Integrate expressive arts, education, and experiential learning across multicultural and international contexts.

 

PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS

• Registered Expressive Arts Consultant and Educator (REACE®), International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA), issued 2022.

• Certified Person-Centered Expressive Arts Facilitator.

 

PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP

International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA)
Board Member; Artists Committee Co-Chair | 2020–Present

• Support professional collaboration and international community-building among expressive arts practitioners.

• Help promote the role of the arts in healing, creativity, and human development.

• Founded and developed the Artists of IEATA online community.

Second International Person-Centered Expressive Arts Symposium
Associate Faculty and Event Organizer | 2015–2016

• Helped organize an international, five-day symposium bringing together expressive arts practitioners from multiple countries.

IEATA Website and Communications
Board Member | 2016–2017

• Contributed to website development, content, and organizational visibility.

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PUBLICATIONS

Fernandez, L. (2025). El arte y la auto-creación: Las raíces de la creatividad y la innovación. Spanish edition. Link

Fernandez, L. (2013). Art and self-creation: The roots of creativity and innovation. Atropos Press. Link

Additional professional writing includes articles on expressive arts, creativity, group work, and the role of the arts in personal and organizational development. Link

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CLINICAL INTERESTS AND COMPETENCIES

• Person-Centered Expressive Arts

• Experiential group therapy

• Trauma-informed care

• Anxiety and depression

• Suicide-related concerns

• Emotional expression and self-awareness

• Group dynamics and interpersonal connection

• Multicultural and culturally responsive practice

• Ethical counseling and professional development

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PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA), Board Member

• National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), membership dates to confirm

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LANGUAGES

• Spanish

• English