Hello! My name is Jasmine, and I’m entering the final year of my Ph.D. in Art Therapy at the Dominican University of California. As I near the completion of this transformative journey, I’m reaching out for your support—whether through financial contributions, sharing my story, or words of encouragement—to help me cross the finish line.

🌿 About Me

I’m originally from Atlanta/Macon, Georgia, and I hold a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, International Studies, and Spanish from Georgia Southern University. My path has been rooted in a deep commitment to healing, equity, and the power of creative expression.

I earned my first Master of Arts in International Disaster Psychology from the University of Denver, with a specialization in Latine Psychology, and later pursued a second Master’s in Art Therapy from Dominican University. My work bridges cultural identity, trauma recovery, and artistic practices—especially within marginalized communities.

🎓 My Dissertation

My doctoral research explores how Black women use fiber arts like crocheting to cope with and resist the harmful effects of microaggressions. This study is both personal and political. It honors the intergenerational resilience embedded in Black creativity and opens space for alternative, culturally affirming therapeutic practices.

I also explore related topics such as:

• The Bird’s Nest Drawing Assessment
• Adverse and positive childhood experiences
• The therapeutic use of collage and visual narrative

🧠 My Work in the Field

Professionally, I serve as a bilingual art therapist and licensed associate professional clinical counselor at a 24/7 Crisis Residential Treatment Center, supporting adults involved in the criminal justice system. I also recently published my first article in the Art Therapy Journal titled: “The Path to Higher Education: Experiences as an African American Woman.”

This work—both academic and clinical—is deeply grounded in my belief that healing should be accessible, inclusive, and culturally relevant.

📚 What This Year Means

This final year includes:

• Finishing my dissertation research
• Completing internship and licensure requirements
• Preparing for postdoctoral opportunities and publication
• Developing a bilingual art therapy book for children of color

But it also comes with increased costs: tuition, fees, supplies, living expenses, and fewer hours to work due to research demands. This is why your support—of any amount—truly makes a difference.

💖 How You Can Help

• Contribute: Every donation helps with tuition, research expenses, and basic needs as I focus on completing my degree.
• Share: Spread the word with friends, community members, or organizations aligned with mental health, education, and equity.
• Encourage: Uplifting messages remind me why this work matters.

🌍 The Bigger Vision

With this Ph.D., I aim to:

• Shape inclusive mental health policy
• Advocate for underrepresented voices in academia and leadership
• Create accessible healing resources for BIPOC communities
• Mentor the next generation of therapists, scholars, and change-makers

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being part of this journey. Whether you give, share, or simply send good energy, you are helping me build a more just, creative, and healing world.