Trainers and Consultants

Ruth is a licensed mental health counsellor in the state of Washington who holds a Master’s degree in Expressive Therapies and Mental Health Counseling and a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Science. She has more than a dozen years experience working within diverse and challenging environments in both South Africa and the United States, including diversion and rehabilitation, education, youth development, and community based mental health. Ruth is currently Vice President of Program Development and Training with First Aid Arts, where she is responsible for managing, developing, and facilitating experiential trainings for service providers on how to use the arts for trauma recovery and psychosocial support. She believes in the power of the expressive arts for health and well being – for expression and reflection, inspiring hope and healing, building connection, and creating possibilities for growth and change. As a passionate and creative facilitator, she is committed to engaging participants by creating dynamic and supportive spaces for participatory learning.