LeesaMarie is CADC II (certified alcohol and drug counselor II) with a BA and progressing graduate studies in psychology with an emphasis on activism and social change. She has 12 years experience caring for high risk, dual diagnose/criminal justice/multicultural populations, most recently as a program director. Along with M. Mick Gardener, LeesaMarie presented "enlighten: a Trauma Informed Mindfulness Based Therapeutic approach combining Restorative Justice as an answer to youth involved in the criminal justice system. Promoting the concept of: Survivor Empowerment not Victimization of Recovery not Incarceration" at the 2015 Bridging the Hearts & Minds of Youth Conference.