Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Lynn Piazza.
Hi Andrea Lynn, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am a dancer turned best selling author and entrepreneur. Originally from Tampa, Florida, I am a California transplant creating inclusive opportunities across the state. I earned dual bachelor’s degrees in dance and psychology from the University of Florida in 2017. Shortly thereafter I earned my master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling with advanced training in integrated health care from the University of Central Florida is 2019. I have served as the Artistic Director for Chance2Dance Inc., an international inclusive dance organization since 2018.
I published my first inclusive children’s book titled The Nutcracker Reimagined co-authored by Nicole Warren in 2019 along side the debut of my inclusive version of The Nutcracker with a cast of nearly 100 individuals with special needs. In 2020 I co-founded Inclusive Impact Initiative LLC with Nicole Warren which advocates for a shift towards inclusive culture on a national scare. I also founded my private practice Inclusive impact Therapy LLC in 2020 which provides multiculturally competent care to underserved communities in Florida and California. Within the same time frame I have served as a primary eating disorder therapist for Center for Discovery since 2019.
In 2021, I co-authored my first professionally published book with Nicole Warren through East 26th Publishing titled Peter Pan In Everland which quickly became a bestseller with the following accolades: #1 Bestselling Book Social Activism and Volunteering, #1 Bestselling Children’s Ebook on Disability, #1 Best Seller in Children’s Diversity and Multicultural Ebooks, #1 Best Selling Children’s European Folktales (kindle store), #1 New Release in Children’s Difficult Discussions Books , #1 New Release in Children’s American Folktales and Myths. I was also recognized as a University of Central Florida University 30 Under 30 Alumni in 2020 and invited back as a keynote speaker for the ceremony in 2021 for my work as an inclusion and diversity advocate in the United States.
I relocated to Southern California in 2021 and since have begun working with local eating disorder centers to promote effective outpatient care for San Diego and Los Angeles Natives. My California and Florida based practice Inclusive Impact Therapy was recently awarded Orlando Magazine’s Best Mental Health Practice. Let me know if anything else would be helpful.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road. Although I am highly privileged, I faced several hardships on my journey to get where I am including intense financial challenges, debilitating injuries that redirected my education and career and issues related to my mental health. Even in my lowest moments I kept the big picture in mind and always reminded myself that in five years I would be proud of what I overcome. When a particular hardship pushed me off my path, I learned what I could from it and kept moving forward.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a jack of all trades with a variety of roles and specialities with the unifying theme of inclusion and diversity advocacy. I am an inclusively minded therapist, dance educator and advocate turned entrepreneur. I am known for my inclusive focus in the therapeutic community and ability to work with individuals who are typically underserved such as individuals on the spectrum, immigrants and low income families. I am also known for my work as a dance educator where I work as a dance instructor for individuals with special needs and creating inclusive dance productions and projects for them to participate in. My other significant project is my best selling book, Peter Pan in Everland which came out in 2021. The book has led to a number of interviews, collaborations and writing opportunities about inclusive children’s literature.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I see the mental health and arts industry both moving in a more inclusive, technologically enhanced and collaborative direction.. It will become more important for individuals to be multiculturally competent, utilize technology and work on integrated care and arts teams to treat individuals more holistically and effectively.
Contact Info:
- Email: andrealynnpiazza@gmail.com
- Website: inclusiveimpacttherapy.com and inclusiveimpactinitiative.com
- Instagram: AndreaLynnImpacts
- Facebook: Andrea Lynn
Image Credits:
ScoHoStudios.com
