Stephanie Wray, ATR-BC, RMHCI, RYT has been an artist and expressive arts facilitator since her studies at Naropa University where she graduated in 1996 with a B.A. in visual arts. Over the years she facilitated process expressive arts groups, and taught at the elementary, middle school and collegiate levels. In 2016, while Stephanie was in her graduate program at SMWC the Pulse Nightclub Shooting occurred, and this pointed her in the direction of trauma sensitive community art therapy. Stephanie went on to present her work in response to the tragedy at the American Art Therapy Association Conference, which was attended by the founders of Stars of HOPE, USA who introduced her to their therapeutic arts, pay-it-forward program. Stephanie went on to graduate in 2017 with honors and received the award for exceptional service and responsible leadership for her contributions during her time at SMWC. Stephanie achieved her Hatha Yoga RYT-200 in January of 2018.

Stephanie went on to work with Stars of HOPE, USA as an art therapist, program manager, and consultant. In her first two years with SOH she responded to 49 tragedies, both human and natural caused disasters. These included first responses and anniversaries; Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, Mass Shooting in Parkland, Florida, and Fires in Paradise, California, to name a few. As a response to Hurricane Michael in Panama City, Florida, facilitating 16 5^th grade classes in painting over 1000 stars in one day, making it the largest response Stars of HOPE had ever achieved. Stephanie continues to consult for SOH and sees clients privately using expressive therapies working with people who have experienced trauma. 

Cathy Malchiodi, PhD, moderator and discussant; editor and author, The Handbook of Art Therapy and Digital Technology (2018, Jessica Kingsley Publishers)