Alessandra Colfi, Ph.D, RYT-200, ZIN®, Chair of our Expressive Arts Therapy Department, holds a BA/MA in Linguistics, a Master’s in Fine Art, and a Doctorate degree in Expressive Arts Therapy. She is a Registered Yoga Teacher RYT-200, a Certified Yoga for Cancer Recovery Teacher, and a Zumba Instructor (ZIN®). She facilitates Expressive Arts Therapy programs at UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, at Revivorship Post Cancer Wellness Center in Encinitas, and at The HeartWay, providing a specific expressive arts therapy program to assist patients in their healing journeys and individuals processing their grief after the death a loved one.
Alessandra's whole person-centered, mindfulness-based approach is compassionate, uplifting, and draws from many different traditions and modalities like meditation, MBSR, guided visualization and relaxation techniques, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), Pranayama (breathwork), movement, as well as from community resources. Dr. Colfi is a member of San Diego Cancer Research Institute, the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association, the Consciousness and Healing Initiative, and Arts Health Network Canada.
Dr. Colfi has been using the creative arts and their therapeutic qualities for over 20 years in private and clinical settings assisting oncology patients, families, and individuals experiencing grief. Dr. Colfi received numerous awards for her artwork and volunteer service. In 2014 she received the San Diego Cancer Research Institute Award of Excellence for contributing to improving the quality of life of cancer patients in San Diego County.