My name’s Elia. I’m an Arab immigrant based in Miami.
I am a psychotherapist and community-oriented artist supporting LGBTQIA youth, BIPOC, homeless adults, and cancer patients. I position my work at the intersection between art, community wellbeing, and mental health while exploring creativity for healing individually and collectively.
I am currently a PhD candidate in Counseling Education and Supervision at Oregon State University (OSU). In 2019, I earned my MA in Art Therapy with a focus on clinical psychology at NYU. Now, I work at University of Miami’s Sylvester Cancer Center supporting patients, survivors, and frontline healthcare staff.
Additionally, I have developed a true coalition of supporters around my community- oriented art practice— collaborating with the Miami History Museum, O, Miami Poetry Festival, Little Haiti Cultural Center, Gang Alternative, Page Slayers, Exile Books, Rose Coloured Florals and other participants— to develop inclusive dialogue around social justice and to widen the scope of art in Miami.
