Natalia Alvarez-Figueroa is a Music Therapist. Afro Latina, born and raised in Puerto Rico, Natalia came to Philadelphia as an undergraduate transfer over 12 years ago. Natalia had a background in music education, before transitioning to music therapy. Natalia holds a master’s degree in music therapy and is a board-certified music therapist working in the trauma field since 2012. Natalia has complete training in TF-CBT and is a bilingual (Spanish/English) professional, and is currently training for EMDR. Natalia has conducted and presented qualitative research focusing on the importance of cultural humility when effectively working with individuals who have experienced trauma, within and beyond the music therapy field, both locally and nationally. Natalia has developed and teaches a six-week course for white aspiring allies, focusing on cognitive behavioral approaches to uncover and challenge biased automatic thoughts. Natalia facilitates trainings, consults and participates as a reviewer for ongoing research, assisting teachers, professors and institutions, within the intersections of topics mentioned above.
Title of Presentation:
Nuanced experiences of a Queer Afro Latina, Creating and Facilitating Multi-Modal Course for White Aspiring Allies within Helping Professions; and Exploration Beyyond Binary Thinking and Automatic Thoughts, from First Person Perspective
