Our Team
Jim Ansaldo, PhD
Co-director
For over 25 years, Jim Ansaldo, PhD, has supported educators and other helping professionals to create joy, community, and success. Speaking, training, and coaching solutions offer proven strategies that are based in research and the experiences of professionals working on the ground. Dr. Jim uses improv-based and experiential methods to keep participants engaged in the hard work of creating sustainable change. His work often brings helping professionals and stakeholders together to play, learn, and work side-by-side, increasing connection and trust, strengthening outcomes, and building a community focused on solutions. Learn more about Jim at jimansaldo.com
Lacy Alana, LCSW, MSSW, RSW, TS
Co-director
Lacy is a neurodivergent Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She is also an improviser, aerialist, trainer, and educator. Professionally, Lacy eclectically combines her clinical expertise with her passion for improv theatre and the aerial arts. Accordingly, she has created several innovative therapeutic and arts programs for at-risk youth, autistic youth and adults, and youth and adults who present with co-morbid mental health challenges. Additionally, Lacy blends tenets of improvisational theatre with therapeutic pedagogy to provide education for other helping professionals, trainings in corporate settings, and experiential therapy groups that address a wide range of challenges, including eating disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and trauma symptomology. Learn more at yesandbrain.com and lacyalana.com