Work with Schools

As a licensed clinical psychologist and former elementary school teacher, Dr. Coffey is particularly suited to working with school children to facilitate healthy growth through the creative arts. She has advanced training in Poetry Therapy and Art Therapy, and became a registered Drama Therapist in May of 2007.

Dr. Coffey's specialty is collaborating with teachers to bring Language Arts to life. She has has brought her experience and her affinity for working with schools to Richmond's Thirteen Acres, Linwood Holton Elementary, Charterhouse School at United Methodist Family Services, Ginter Park Elementary and most recently, to William Fox Elementary.

While at Fox Elementary Dr. Coffey worked directly with a Language Arts teacher to bring the class textbook to life. She incorporated art, music, movement, stories and drama into her teaching to create a safe and exciting classroom. Children who had recently been labeled "trouble-makers" or "under-achievers" thrived as they interacted and portrayed story after story, stretching in new ways. She also worked independently with subsets of children developing "Readers' Theater" pieces.

Dr. Coffey is eager to be a resource for interested teachers and staff. She loves hands-on work with children and adolescents, but is equally capable of working out ideas behind the scenes. Please feel free to contact her -- she welcomes your questions and ideas.