Bridging the Distance: Virtual Drama and Expressive Arts for Parent-Child Connections

Michelle McGonagle is a LICSW, who has been a social worker for close to 30 years. Early in her career Michelle worked as a clinical case manger and counselor for individuals with dual diagnosis, homeless men and women, for those experiencing domestic violence and homeless adolescents. For the past 15 years her work has been focused on students with social, emotional and behavioral disabilities, which then led her to the Guild. Trained in multiple trauma informed therapies Michelle uses a trauma informed approach to both systems and clinical work. Michelle’s clinical orientation includes ARC, strength based CBT, Mindful Self-compassion, and Positive Psychology. Michelle joined The Guild as Director of Mental Health Services in 2018. In this position, she worked alongside the Director/Supervisor of Applied Behavior Services to develop, implement, and monitor mental health services for students and adults who are dually diagnosed with mental health and developmental/intellectual disabilities. In her current capacity as the Senior Clinical Advisor of Mental Health Services, Michelle provides clinical consultation to adult and youth counseling program leadership, supervises mental health clinicians and provides assessment services and crisis supports as needed. She has worked in a variety of roles at Wediko Children’s Services in Boston since 2006, including as a senior clinical specialist (2015-2018), school-based and McKinley consultant specializing in alternative high schools (2014-present), and school-based senior clinician (2006-2014). She has also worked in homless services at Bridge Over Troubled Waters in Boston, Preble Street Resource Center in Portland, ME, and Midtown Churches Community Association in Baltimore, MD. Michelle received her master’s degree in social work from the Boston College Graduate School of Social Work and earned her bachelor’s degree in English literature from Bates College.

Dr. Laura L. Wood is an Associate Professor of Mental Health Counseling and Drama Therapy at Lesley University, a Registered Drama Therapist, and a Board-Certified Trainer. She is a past president of the North American Drama Therapy Association and co-creator of the CoActive Therapeutic Theater (CoATT) Model, the first manualized approach to therapeutic theater. Her work focuses on trauma, dissociation, eating disorders, and recovery, with a particular emphasis on the power of play and creative arts therapies. She is the author of Recovery and Drama Therapy: The CoActive Therapeutic Theater Model and an internationally recognized speaker, clinician, and researcher. During the summer she is the Director of Wellness at a camp in the midwest and during the academic year partners with The Guild in supporting parent child relationships through drama therapy.