Hello, my name is Rena Marie!

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I am a dedicated educator and counselor who has worked with children and teens ages 7–23 in some of the San Francisco Bay Area’s most vulnerable communities since 2002. I hold a BA in History from the University of San Francisco and a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology, with a concentration in Drama Therapy, from the California Institute of Integral Studies.

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My professional experience includes serving as a middle school counselor at an academic independent school in San Francisco, developing programs for young adult basic education, writing wellness curriculum for middle school summer programs, mentoring college students at the University of California, Berkeley, and leading professional development trainings for educators and mental health professionals. My most popular workshops include “Movement, Nutrition, and Mental Health,” “Practicing Joy,” and “Vicarious Trauma Toolkit.” I work with children and teens of all ages, specializing in anxiety, transitions, social skills, and mindfulness practices.

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In addition to my counseling work, I am an actor, dancer, and teaching artist. I currently teach weekly dance classes in Lisbon and lead both local and global retreats. I believe the arts are inherently therapeutic and can be powerful tools for healing and wellness.

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Some ways the arts support mental health include:

• Increased self-awareness
• Opportunities for self-expression
  Improved self-regulation
• Reduced stress and anxiety (especially when practiced for joy rather than evaluation)
• Enhanced cognitive functioning and neuroplasticity
  
  

In June 2025, my family moved to Portugal from the United States. The decision to relocate my 14-year-old at the start of secondary school was thoughtful and intentional. In preparation, we focused on both the exciting opportunities and the challenges ahead. As a family, we continue to create space to process these challenges and find creative solutions together. This lived experience has given me a unique understanding of how to support teens during major transitions - especially those involving a new culture, new language, and new educational system.

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I speak English and am currently learning Portuguese.

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