N/NY-TR-138 - Art Therapy with Sex Trafficking Survivors: Using a Trauma-Informed Approach

Sharon works in private practice, where she sees clients doing Art and EMDR Therapy for both individuals and groups. She is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, where she has taught at the baccalaureate and graduate levels in courses such as Diversity and Mental Health and Human Development. Her doctoral research focused on understanding recovery for human trafficking survivors. She helped to develop local organizations and task forces against trafficking in humans that work locally and globally.  Sharon spent three years co-coordinating a vocational training school and an artisan cooperative in Mozambique in partnership with NGO’s, the Mozambican government and faith-based communities. The school trained people in sustainable, income-generating skills. Sharon worked with the Ministry of Social Welfare and the Ministry of Education to establish the first internship for Gallaudet University students to work with the deaf population in two cities in Mozambique to promote education and disability rights. Before this, Sharon worked in clinical settings including in-patient and out-patient settings, residential homes, and homeless shelters.  

Sharon’s academic endeavors include research on Women, Peace and Security, analyzing the UN Security Council Resolutions; community education and human trafficking reduction and survivor support; development of community-based initiatives to respond to human trafficking, health inequities, and inclusion programming of persons with varying levels of ability.  She has presented papers or has taught classes in China, Australia, Brazil, Kenya, Mozambique, Haiti, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and the U.S. on topics such as Art Therapy, Eastern and Western mental health treatments, and inclusion programming. Sharon currently serves on the boards of the Cancer Justice Network, City Gospel Mission, and a local YMCA. She lives with her husband of 20 years and 2 children in Cincinnati, Ohio.