The late Carmen Jimenez-Pride, was the creative mind behind Focus on Feelings®, an emotional literacy curriculum, a licensed clinical social worker, registered play therapist supervisor, certified AutPlay® therapy provider, certified EMDR therapist, registered children’s yoga teacher, certified IFS therapist, and a certified LEGO® Serious Play® facilitator.

Carmen was a trauma therapist experienced in the clinical treatment of children, adolescents, and adults with culturally diverse backgrounds addressing a wide range of concerns. Carmen’s career in the mental health field spanned more than 15 years.

She was an international speaker, award-winning best-selling author, and business consultant. Carmen was a visionary in the therapeutic community, working to create and develop a wide range of educational tools to assist the clinician, and the client to reach optimum goals. With a focus on cultural humility and cultural diversity, Carmen educated clinical professionals to address racial and cultural trauma within their clinical practices.

Carmen served as the South Carolina Association for Play Therapy President and was the recipient of the 2021 Association for Play Therapy Emerging Leader Award. She also served as the diversity and inclusion director of the Internal Sandtray Therapy Association.

Carmen was the developer of Diversity in Play Therapy Inc.; and the Diversity in Play Therapy Summit. She was also the developer and publisher of Focus on Feelings®.
 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Carmen Jimenez-Pride had employment relationships with Internal Family Systems Institute and Outspoken Counseling and Consulting, LLC. She was a published author and receives royalties. She received a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. She had no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Carmen Jimenez-Pride was a member of the National Association for Addiction Professionals, National Association of Social Workers, and Association for Play Therapy.