The Dancing Mindfulness Team
Dancing Mindfulness Facilitators & Registered Expressive Arts Therapists (REAT)
As Registered Expressive Arts Therapists (REATs), these team members also offer Supervision Services for The Institute for Creative Mindfulness's Certificate of Expressive Arts Therapy program.
Irene M. Rodriguez MS, LMHC, CAP, REAT (Affiliate and Distance Based Trainer) is a Certified Addictions Professional with a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University. She is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Life Stress Reduction (LSR), and she is a Certified Facilitator of Trauma Incident Reduction (TIR) and of Dancing Mindfulness. Professionally, she has helped children, adolescents, and adults with a multitude of complex issues such as depression, self-harm behaviors, anxiety, adjustment disorders, addiction, grief, phobias, and mood disorders such as bipolar disorder since 2006.
Irene graduated in the second class of Dancing Mindfulness facilitators and she was the first trainee to complete the affiliate mentorship track, allowing her to offer her own trainings leading to certification. Irene spearheaded the movement to bring Dancing Mindfulness training to her native Puerto Rico in 2014. Irene has been conducting Dancing Mindfulness facilitator trainings in the Spanish language since 2015.
Contact: irodriguez@mindfuljourneycenter.com / (954) 376-0496
Website: http://www.mindfuljourneycenter.com
Irene graduated in the second class of Dancing Mindfulness facilitators and she was the first trainee to complete the affiliate mentorship track, allowing her to offer her own trainings leading to certification. Irene spearheaded the movement to bring Dancing Mindfulness training to her native Puerto Rico in 2014. Irene has been conducting Dancing Mindfulness facilitator trainings in the Spanish language since 2015.
Contact: irodriguez@mindfuljourneycenter.com / (954) 376-0496
Website: http://www.mindfuljourneycenter.com
"Irene is the embodiment of dancing mindfulness… her enthusiasm, pure love, and joy for life resonates in her works as a facilitator, a mentor, and a teacher."
-Dr. Jamie Marich
Rachel Weaver MSW, LISW-S, LICDC-CS, DBTC, REAT (Affiliate and Distance Based Trainer) graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work. Rachel has worked with children, teens, adults, the elderly, and groups since 2006. She has been employed as a clinician, supervisor, educator, and clinical director in community mental health agencies, private practices, universities, colleges, and substance abuse agencies. Currently, she is a Social Work lecturer/professor, clinical internship liaison, and supervisor at The Ohio State University. She is also the owner and CEO of WiseMind Consulting & Wellness LLC, a consulting, mental health and wellness private practice in Columbus, OH. As a social work and chemical dependency supervisor, Rachel provides ongoing guidance and supervision to students, interns, and clinicians; both within and outside of her private practice. Expanding knowledge within the field, she presents continuing education workshops on topics such as DBT, supervision, ethics, DSM-5, and many more. Her certifications and training include:
Contact: rweaver.wisemind@gmail.com
Website: www.wisemindcw.com/
- First woman in the state of Ohio certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBTC)
- Certified in EMDR Certified Dancing Mindfulness Facilitator
- Registered Expressive Arts Therapist
Contact: rweaver.wisemind@gmail.com
Website: www.wisemindcw.com/
Dancing Mindfulness Partners
Orisha (Orixa) Bowers, Ph.D, MA, M. Ed, (Affiliate Trainer) a native Memphian, has more than 15 years of experience in social services, nonprofit leadership, grants management, program design, and civic leadership. Orisha, affectionately known as Dr. O, has been a dedicated community volunteer and advocate serving TN and surrounding areas for most of her life. Currently, Orisha works at Provide as theRegional Director. Prior to this Orisha worked for Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region as an HIV Outreach Educator and Linkage to Care Specialist, as a Director at Partnership To End AIDS Status Inc., and Senior Associate, Lead Agent at United Way of the Mid-South overseeing the HIV/AIDS programs for the Southwest TN region. When she is not advocating for women and families across Tennessee, she is entertaining them as a singer with the famous party band, “The Bouffants”. Orisha is a published scholar, lifelong learner, and researcher. She is well known as an educator and trainer throughout TN. Orisha is an affiliate trainee for Dancing Mindfulness under the supervision and leadership of Dr. Jamie Marich. Orisha is the mother of three children – the greatest of all her accomplishments – and a devoted wife, daughter, and sister.
Contact: oahenry01@hotmail.com / (901) 399-4565
Contact: oahenry01@hotmail.com / (901) 399-4565
"Orisha is a changemaker and an advocate for social justice in all areas of her life. The passion meeting her passion for dancing mindfulness is one of the most beautiful fusions I have ever witnessed."
-Dr. Jamie Marich
Support Team
Alicia Hann (she/her) serves as Interim Director of Operations for for Mindful Ohio & The Institute for Creative Mindfulness . Alicia is connected to Mindful Ohio & The Institute for Creative Mindfulness through Dancing Mindfulness. She has been a facilitator in the Columbus area since 2016 and is actively working on becoming a Dancing Mindfulness affiliate as well as receiving her REACE. Alicia is a dance performer,choreographer, and dance educator. Alicia is thrilled to be a part of the ICM team as a person who has used dance to aid in her personal healing and recovery she wholeheartedly believes in the “healing power” of art and self expression. Alicia also enjoys backpacking, all things coffee, being in nature, and spending time with her two dogs.
Contact: alicia@instituteforcreativemindfulness.com
Jasmine Shafley serves as an Executive Assistant for ICM. She was introduced to ICM through Dancing Mindfulness and her love of the arts as a form of therapy. Jasmine is a former dance and early childhood educator, with a performing arts/arts admin background. She is passionate about mental health awareness and advocacy, promoting inclusivity and creating safe spaces for people to be their authentic selves. Jasmine is very excited to be working alongside such a great team. In her spare time Jasmine loves all things art, yoga, nature, travel, and enjoys spending time with her friends and family.
Contact: support@instituteforcreativemindfulness.com
Contact: support@instituteforcreativemindfulness.com
Katie Dougherty Zuercher is an eternal optimist and devout believer in the goodness of the world. She met Jamie in a stand-up comedy group where she learned the healing power of laughter in her own life. She is a bereaved mother, widow, former Waldorf teacher, stage manager, and parent of a teenager. She loves flowers, podcasts, and making meaningful connections with people. Her degrees in Communication and Psychology merge together for the role of Executive Assistant serving the ICM community.
Contact: support@instituteforcreativemindfulness.com
Katie Dougherty Zuercher is an eternal optimist and devout believer in the goodness of the world. She met Jamie in a stand-up comedy group where she learned the healing power of laughter in her own life. She is a bereaved mother, widow, former Waldorf teacher, stage manager, and parent of a teenager. She loves flowers, podcasts, and making meaningful connections with people. Her degrees in Communication and Psychology merge together for the role of Executive Assistant serving the ICM community.
Contact: support@instituteforcreativemindfulness.com