SFMOMA

Opportunity for CEU's

OPPORTUNITY FOR CEU's:

My business partner Jake Colton and I will be hosting an upcoming training at Oakton Community College providing new insights and information regarding Spirituality, Sexuality, and Safety in Psychotherapy.


Continuing education hours for the following IDFPR licensed professions:
• Professional Counselors - 6.0 clock hours
• Marriage and Family Therapists - 6.0 clock hours
• Addictions Counselors (IAODAPCA Members) - 6.0 clock hours

Fee: $185; early registration: $159*
For registration information, call 847.635.1934 or 847.635.1808

HP Palooza

HP PALOOZA

I have been invited to paint live during the following performances at HP Palooza. 

(which is a private corporate event hosted by Impact Events) 

Here is the GREAT line up of bands for the event:

Snoop Dogg 

Lovehammers

Everclear

Fuel

The Dan Band

DIVA EVENT hosted by MAVEN

DIVA EVENT!

I have had the pleasure of being honored as a "diva" for the performing arts category by MAVEN. Please read on to learn more about these fun and woman powered events!
Maven, Today's Chicago Woman, The Aparecio Foundation and Jbar have teamed up once again for the DIVA SERIES to honor influential and success women in Business, PR, Media, Fashion, Fitness, Beauty, Lifestyle and much more:di·va - [dee-vuh, -vah] noun, distinguished female singer; prima donna. Goddess, fine lady.
"She’s a Video Vixen….you see them on TV, hear them on radio, clap at their performances, watch them rock the runway and dance to their music in the club! They are ROCKSTARS…as they simply ROCK and will be the STAR of any show! Featuring Actors, Musicians, Artists, Media Personalities, Reality TV Stars, Models, etc."

LIST OF DIVAS:
*Megan Taylor - DJ Megan Taylor of figdeejay
*Ashley Bush - Sketch Comedian and Actress, Founder and Executive Director of La Costa Theatre.
*Comedy Divas - The Era (Sarah Ashley and Dara Katz) - The Playground Theatre, Second City, training at Improv Olympic, and doing stand-up all over Chicago. Or, if you like inappropriate PSAs, a capella at the zoo and Rachel Zoe parodies, check out their YouTube Channel "The Comedy Of Eras", www.thecomedyoferas.tumblr.com
*Candice Sansone – Rockstylist – Owner of Rock Candy – Hair and Makeup Stylist
*Heather Ronkoske – video producer Diva
*DJ Kimya - 10 years soundtrack specialist for the fashion runway...Kimya programmed the initial Rock the Runway fashion show in 2000 at the Park West for Irene Michaels...was the first female dj to program the Chicago Latin Fashion Week... started at Indie record lable "RAMA RECORD" for remixes for Chicago diva vocalist Shawn Christoper
*Nancy Nguyen - Sweet T, LLC Founder/Owner, Model, Hair Stylist, MBA, Country Comes in all Colors.com, Miss United States 2009-2010
*Sarah VonderHaar – contestant on America’s Next Top Model and musician/photographer
*Jessica Jakosalem - professional model and booking agent at JRPChicago.com
*Jen Perucca – Marketing Director/Philanthropist
*Hilary Rawk – DJ and Broke Hipster
*Sadie Woods - curator and DJ Sadie Woods of White Label"
*Sarah Raskey MA LCPC ATR- Founder/president of The Giving Gallery and co founder of Open Avenue Therapy Chicago. Fine Artist, psychotherapist/art therapist and philanthropist. www.sarahraskey.com
*Gina Ferraro - Gina Ferraro is a reporter for the Emmy award winning Chicago show, Nude Hippo. It's 24/7 ONLINE at NBCchicago.com & NudeHippo.com. Host of the weeknight show on Dance Factory Radio, 92.5, 92.7, and 99.9 (9FM) on the Chicago airwaves. - www.ginamarieferraro.com
*Erin Martin - Singer/Songwriter
*Natalie Martinez - NBC 5 Reporter


Special DJ appearances by Hilary Rawk, Sadie Woods, Megan Taylor and DJ Kimya :)

My Artistic and Spiritual Retreat to Bali

Somewhere in the space between my departure gate at O’Hare airport in Chicago and my last barefoot moments walking through the jungle in Bali…I found miles of grace.

I should mention that in Bali, most of every day was spent barefoot. Now I am used to packing things that I do not necessarily "need"...but I would not have guessed shoes would fall into this category.

All packing phenomena aside, the superfluous volume of pure beauty in Bali is not to be believed! A mindscape of terraced rice paddy fields and numerous temples surrounded by wild rivers that cut through deep canyons of jungle with volcanoes visible on the horizon. All contained in a culture that thrives on worldly pleasure, spiritual devotion, and embraces an encyclopedia of kindness. You literally can not look anywhere without having your eyes met by a heavily adorned alter or an offering on the grounds, on the walls, and over archways…all in vibrant arrangements of fresh flowers, incense and candles.

The whole idea of Bali is a matrix, a massive and invisible grid of spirit guides, customs, art, science, and religion. This is why it is referred to as “the island of the gods,” and there is no doubt that the island is certainly haunted by the type of enchantment that is both transcendent and divine.

I wish it were possible to fully describe the spiritual overhaul that took place for me in Bali, or the collection of brave and gentle souls who I met there. I was moved by each person who came to gather and stand side by side as both strangers and as family in what seemed to be this Alice in wonderland like parallel universe of an adventure. An adventure that even came complete with a capsizing boat ride and tantric dancers all in the same day! Anyways, my short entry is the best that I can do as an attempt to give shape to the intangible.

What I enjoyed most about Bali was that it provided a consistent series of uplifting and illuminating moments. I felt a shift that made my time there feel less like I was searching and more like I was “being.” As far as I can tell, personal awakening is a direct result of your best effort. You fight for it, you strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in manifesting your own conscious expansion so that you can take those teachings and better serve others…and this of course is somewhat of an endless pilgrimage since we must always take care of our "families" wherever we may find them…again and again.

So with this in mind I focused on surrendering and letting go as a way to reach a heightened and progressive state of opening myself up more fully. Which was made easy to do as I was drinking from and running my head under the Tampak Siring Temple fountains (holy spring water), meditating, drumming, painting, carving, praying, etc. for hours each day. Additionally, in the evenings we would stumble upon mysterious temple rituals in the most hidden of places and let ourselves be hypnotized by the chorus of voices and ceremonial dances.

Part of why this trip felt like utopia was also that there was an equal balance between individual and universal experience that was occurring. This particular group dynamic was a mighty exhibition of charisma and creative fireworks may I add, which only seemed to ignite itself on the essence and energy of being woven together in Bali. So thankfully even amongst our own personal agendas, there was still a strong collective group commitment to opening up, bearing witness, and holding space for one another in a variety of intense moments.

I must share that what does open up within you in the midst of chanting chilling mantras for hours in the belly of a thousand plus year old cave, in the middle of the night, in the heart of the jungle…is completely indescribable…and you are never the same. What opened up for me that particular night left me asking myself the question; “Oh my god…what if I never came here?” In that same moment I heard the answer: “This was already written, you were always coming here, and you were always going to know these truths.”

These truths will remain private, but I can share that these truths caused me to do something I have not done in a long time… I did nothing. I just sat and was still. Of course my version of sitting still was more like a quite pleading with my mind to clear itself…and of course so many thoughts came flooding through without my consent.

So I would start my meditation and mantra over, and try not to let my mind drift into worry. Of course all I could picture was an endless stream of images and words about all of my blessings and all of my uncertainties. I ended up holding each of these thoughts for a moment and telling them: “ I know you are here and I accept you for what you are or are not…but I need you to rest right now.

I did this with every matter of my heart, every unresolved happening, everything I have ever been afraid to bring into the light, and thanked all of my teachers who have come to me in such curious forms…until I felt as if I looked ancient from this exertion but empowered that I was the commander of my own release and liberation.

Needless to say I feel that my journey overall proved to be a soul rebirth or replenishing of sorts. A personal transformation that took place in the shape of a rapid-fire stream of unforgettable glimpses and insights saturated in meaning. I am so thankful to have been a part of such a unique opportunity for profound connection and spiritual evolution.

I hope to hang onto these humbling memories as long as I can. I am aware that my “perm-a-grin” will inevitably wear off as I tip-toe quietly through the back door and reenter my “real” life with all of its responsibilities and assignments.


I do know however, that I have a deep appreciation for the mysterious search for meaning. An appreciation that has become a personal commitment which seems to have little to do with common sense and everything to do with love…love for self and love for others.


I realize that just because I had a transformative life experience, that I still may never fully understand my role in the complexity of mankind’s quest for the artistic and sacred. That I may never be the person who packs only what they need when preparing for a trip, and that I will never ever be the woman revered by others for her straight laced conventionality any sooner than I will be the first picked player for a wiffle ball team draft.

But what is true about myself is that when the universe opens itself up to ask: “Who is ready to explore a most curious and profound adventure?” That I can be someone who coolly pulls up a chair, kicks off her shoes, and says: “well now I’m your girl.”

Cameron Rafati

Cameron's NEW video!

Cameron Rafati is a huge guy with an even bigger heart!, and his friendship and support 

during my "Running on heART Project" made such a difference. He was even kind enough to allow us to take the stage and introduce our project in the middle of his own record release party!  Cameron could not have been more helpful even after the event! He is a great talent, a Sundance award winner, and his song battles was recently featured in Tyler Perry's recent

feature film"Why Did I Get Married Too" Staring Janet Jackson. 

Please check out his new video below as well as his music at: http://www.cameronrafati.com/

Lakeshore East Article

I was recently asked to write an article for the Lakeshore east journal.  It was meant to be light hearted enough for a short entry but a piece that could also speak to the universal notion of the way that we live our lives! 

Hope you enjoy

The Art of Living

by Sarah Raskey MA LCPC ATR 

Each of our lives is filled with funny possibilities, miracles and malfunctions, gardens and graveyards…and since the universe apparently has a sense of humor, all of these things can even be experienced in the same afternoon. So how do we remain present and make the most out of our time here in the midst of all of life’s distractions?

I have been an Art Therapist/Psychotherapist for the past 6 years; I have been an artist since I was old enough to “borrow” my mother’s lipstick to create a two foot tall wall mural scrawled across my bedroom (picture Chanel meets graffiti art), and I have been a fledgling human being for as long as I can remember.

Every day I work with people who are looking for answers, looking to make sense out of their life and their story. Beyond the office walls I also find that most people are in search of how to exist meaningfully within the great mystery of it all. So it is no wonder why every now and again we have moments that look/feel a lot like we just found ourselves wondering how we woke up in the trunk of a car…as if we have no idea what we are doing here…how we got here...or  how to be here.

From the time we are small we are taught to develop faiths and morals, and string together what we believe to be truths as a way of forming a compass, one that will help us do this whole being human thing the “right way.”  Of course, the notion of fate and destiny within the context of our life is all too complex to dive into in this article. However, I do believe that they are held together by a few basic fundamentals as to "how to be here."  I refer to these basic fundamentals as “the art of living.”

In many ways it is the art of being present in our lives. It is about seizing every opportunity to feel alive; to participate and engage in all that is around us because all of it is a gift and an opportunity to learn.  The art of living is talking to perfect strangers daily because we can embrace them as part of our extended family, or taking the extra two minutes to really look closely at the way the clouds form right before a magnificent thunder and lightening storm. It’s laughing at ourselves out loud when we have missed the last step (again), which results in a quest for Neosporin. It is our ability to risk making mistakes so that we may live in the moment because we do not believe in missing out on the brilliance and ridiculousness of life’s offerings just to protect our egos.  It is the knowing that there every day can hold an adventure, a seeking, and an exploring... so that we may become inspired by all of the “mini miracles” going on all around us.

I would like to think of it all this way; even when we ride a bike we have choices to make. If we keep our eyes only straight ahead with a tight grip on the handlebars, it is likely that we will avoid a great fall. However, we would likely not notice the way the sun’s light comes drifting magically through the vines of our favorite weeping willow tree. The truth is that we don't always know exactly where we are riding our bike to, or maybe we do but we have no idea what we will do when we get there or why we are going in the first place... but if we focus on the "art of living"...we can at the very least enjoy our trip. 


Life has a creative way of opening up to us in moments, as if it knows that it can reach us in chapters through stories only we can write. Sometimes life becomes overwhelming and hard and we forget that we have the freedom to practice the art of living.  Sometimes our moments will make us smile and other times we will get a few bruises from them. This is to know the art of living. To love all moments equally as they come our way because they are all equally a part of our story and our journey...but mostly to remember that they are all are all an opportunity to find meaning and to make the very most of them.  

Off to Bali?

About the Alex Grey Bali Spiritual Retreat 2010

So excited that I will be one of the 25 creative types that will make up the traveling "Cosm Grey Tribe." 

So myself and other Cosm Grey Tribe group members (including the Grey's and a variety of mystics, artists, and fire dancers etc) will be traveling to New York and Tokyo on the first leg of the experience, but at the heart of the journey and destination will be the island of Bali. 

Bali is a mystical and magical island 6 degrees off the equator. It is rooted in Buddhism and Hinduism energetically.  Bali holds Venus-Neptune energy. The scenery is beautiful and inspirational. People come to live their life in a creative way, especially in Ubud. Everything done is a devotion to the divine. Each village is devoted to a different artistic expression: painting, weaving, stone carving etc.

New modalities will be learned as well as painting and other aspects of creativity, at the retreat as well as regular meetings with shamans and other various experiences and temple gatherings/parties. The whole island is buzzing with excitement for the Grey's arrival!  

A Little Bit about the Grey's:

These artists specialize in spiritual and psychedelic art (or visionary art) and are the co-founders of the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors, a non-profit institution supporting Visionary Culture in New York City. 

Alex has spent time teaching and working at the  Harvard Medical School in the department of Mind/Body Medicine with Dr.Herbert Benson and Dr. Joan Borysenko, conducting scientific experiments to investigate subtle healing energies. The Grey's have created a series of 50 art actions and performances over the last thirty years depicting the universal human experience and connection to divinity through sacred art. Grey's paintings have been featured in venues as diverse as the album art of Tool,String Cheese Incident, the Beastie Boys and Nirvana, Newsweek magazine, the Discovery Channel, Rave flyers and sheets of blotter acid etc etc.

Their work has been exhibited worldwide, including Feature Inc., Tibet House, Stux Gallery, P.S. 1, The Outsider Art Fair and the New Museum in NYC, the Grand Palais in Paris, the Sao Paulo Biennial in Brazil. Alex has been a keynote speaker at conferences all over the world after having been embraced by the art and scientific field as one of the most unparalleled and important mapmakers and spokesman for the visionary realm of our time. So it is no wonder why these two have an overwhelming international following. 

Alex Grey is also a noted author with his book the Mission of Art being translated into five different languages and having sold over one hundred thousand copies. The Grey's have produced multiple video's/DVD's and focus on rediscovering an enchanted cosmos in the modern world. 

Chi Sigma Iota Induction Ceremony

   

Sunshine Artist Magazine Cover!

 

I created this piece on the cover titled: Twilight. 

It is a mixed media piece.

Just wanted to share an article/cover I was featured in for Sunshine Artist Magazine. 

Sunshine Artist is the nation’s leading publication for art show exhibitors, promoters and 

patrons since 1972.

To view the article about my artwork and inspirations, please visit page 26 at: 

http://www.bluetoad.com/publication/?i=33219

Power Piece Workshop

Thoughts On Living Openly

Part of what I feel has fueled my work as an artist is that I have always tried to live my life as "openly" as possible.  

I seek out and explore a variety of adventures, mysteries, and traditions with the hopes that I will gain new wisdom, knowledge and understanding with each experience...and that collectively those new insights will help me become a much more conscious therapist and artist.   

There have been many inspiring and spiritual endeavors I have a history of studying and participating in, over the years. Some of the most noticeable hints of cultural influence that have surprisingly shown up in my art pieces have had Native American symbolism and undertones.  When I was younger I often dreamt of Native American people and ceremonies and yet had never had any education of their culture other than what little I was taught in history classes. So as I got older and the dreams continued,  I decided that I would make a point to begin to learn more about their history and traditions at some point.  

No sooner had I given this some thought, when in more ways then one, I was blessed enough to serendipitously cross paths with several Native American healers and ministers who were willing to teach me a few things, gracious enough to allow me to participate in ceremonies, and even agree to come to a few of my art therapy groups as special guests who could speak volumes about the importance of respecting our mother earth.

Well, I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you a few examples of the ceremonies I have been participating in and encourage you to continue to educate yourself on such a beautiful culture and it's people. 

The time I have spent in ceremony has been profound and I know that those meaningful experiences will find ways to further express themselves through my work as both therapist and painter.  

Please read on to learn more!

Sarah

*Chiefs Crow Dog Sr. & Jr. as well as their entourage traveled to Oswego IL. to lead in these very powerful healing Ceremonies:   
 
Pipe Ceremony and Sweat Lodge
A "Sweat" will takes place when the time is right after dark. It is meant as a purification and rebirth. A large tent like structure is built with a deep hole in the center. Participants are cleansed with smudge and enter the sweat clockwise. When the room is full the leader will perform various prayers and call for the "grandfathers". 


The grandfathers are the red hot stones from a nearby fire. The sweat structure closed and no light is visible. Water is poured on the grandfathers to heat the sweat. There is singing and chanting for about 5-15 min. Then upon verbalizing "Mitakuye Oyasin" the door will open and more Grandfathers will be requested as the process will repeat 3 more times.
 
It is EXTREMELY hot in the sweat. Men are requested to wear only shorts and women are requested to wear a long full length dress with short sleeves. No additional items such as glasses, watches, jewelry of any kind or metal should be worn so as to avoid burns.
 
By breathing slow shallow breaths and singing with the leaders, this journey is a joyous and enlightening experience. However, those with health concerns, or who are pregnant or are menstruating are not recommended to participate. 
  
Yuwipi Ceremony
A Yuwipi is a Lakota/Sioux healing ceremony performed in COMPLETE darkness. In the ceremony, the healer is tied up with a special blanket and ropes while praying, chanting, and singing for the healing of a specific person or persons. Other participants also pray for the person or persons to be healed. The ceremony is very hard on the healer, who gives away a piece of his life every time it is performed. Yuwipi healers therefore lead short and difficult lives, in exchange for helping their communities. Typically those who participate experience the presences of Spirits and other phenomenal events during the Yuwipi.

Your Mind's Design!

I am excited to share with you that I have been asked to join the Your Mind's Design Team as one of their freelance painters! YMD was created by artist and entrepreneur Anna Fraizer who has extensive knowledge of both the art world and a successful career in advertising. She understands exactly what it takes to make sure clients get exactly what they want! And in this case they want a painting that they dreamed up and that an artist brings to life!

Nina Pak Photography

   

This past weekend I met artist Nina Pak during a reception that was held at the gallery that showcased her work along with several other artists including myself. Nina was just as interesting in person as her work would suggest, as well as very helpful as I had a few technical questions that she willingly gave me thoughtful feedback on.  

Nina Pak is an award winning international photographer and multi-media artist.  She draws inspiration from her dreams and loves fantasy and science fiction.  She has worked as the curator for the Glendale Arts Council for many years, was the design editor for AustralAsia magazine in Moscow Russia! She now works with digital photography, Alt process printing, publication, hand-made art books, visual journals, collaborative art books, Compact Disc packaging, design & layout.

 To learn more about Nina's work, please visit:

http://www.ninapak.com/

Artemisia

www.artemisiastyle.com

You can now find my work at the 2nd floor gallery at Artemisia:

A definite MUST SEE, Artemisia is located on historic third street in Geneva IL, and owned by Debra Koertge. Artemisia brings a fusion of styles and a new take on designs for the home.  You'll find intriguing antique furniture from around the world that is ideal for today's living. Great lines, function, and craftsmanship are inherent in every piece, no matter the style!  
"The 2nd floor gallery features the work of a growing number of contemporary artists. A diverse group of artists, working in a range of media all sharing the creative and material boundaries of their craft. The gallery's artists have received critical praise in local and national publications and showings.

The 2nd floor gallery is open everyday, Monday-Saturday 10-5; Sunday 12-4; and the first Friday of every month from 6-9 pm during the first Friday Gallery Walk. The walk is a self guided art walk and reception at 8 participating Geneva Art Galleries which are all within walking distance of each other. Log on to Art Galleries in Geneva for additional information."--www.artemisiastyle.com

Little Luxuries

I wanted to let everyone in on one of the new locations you can now visit to view or purchase my artwork!  Located in the heart of downtown Naperville, Little Luxuries is an eclectic mix of gifts and features hand-made items from exclusive artists and designers from all over the country. Be sure to check it out!

Article Excerpt
Byline: Kim Mikus Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL)

Owner of Little Luxuries Sue Finck offers floral designs, custom home draperies, linens and pillows as well as an array of home design concepts.

"I'm trying to bring the comfort of home," Finck said. "I want to bring the feeling that you're walking into my home."
Finck, who has a background in the retail industry, said she is bringing in merchandise that's useful and "has real meaning."

"I like the fact that I have given a lot of thought to everything my customers touch,"...

A Surprise

While at the One of a Kind Show this past weekend, I was given a piece of artwork from a woman who attended one of my women's empowerment workshops several months ago.  She said that she recently came across a handout that I had included in the packet for the class and that she was inspired to create the first piece of art she has ever made on her own since her first time creating art in my workshop! 

She had actually included the script from the handout on her art and told me that she wanted to donate the piece to the Giving Gallery!  I was blown away by her courage, talent, and consideration-- and thought I should pass along her story to you all!  Below is a copy of the text from the handout I had given her, that was given to me several years ago.  Anyways, I love when people discover their inner artist:) Enjoy the pic and the write up!!!

That is all for now!

Sarah

"A healthy woman is much like a wolf. Robust, loyal, fierce—Yet separation from her wildish nature causes a woman to become meager, ghostly, anxious about leaping, fearful to create a new life.  With the nature as ally and teacher, we see not through two eyes only, but through the many eyes of intuition.  With intuition we are like the starry night, we gaze at the world through a thousand eyes.  The archetype of the wild woman carries “los bultos”, all the bundles for healing and meaning. 

 She carries all the medicines of stories, words, and songs, all the mending tools of dances, signs, and symbols.  She is both vehicle and destination.  She is the essence of the female soul.  No matter how many times she is cut back, or called unsafe, dangerous, useless or mad, she rises through the psyche regardless.  Even “la somber.” The most restrained woman, keeps a secret place for her wild nature.  Even “la cautiva” the most captured woman, is waiting for an opportunity to hightail it to freedom.  All women are born gifted.  To live close to the instinctual nature does not mean to become undone.  It means to establish one’s creative territory, find one’s pack, be in one’s body with certainty and pride.  It means to act in one’s behalf, to find what one belongs to.  It means to rise with dignity, to proceed as a powerful being who is friendly but never tame.  The wild woman is the one who thunders in the face of injustice.  She is the one who keeps a woman going when she thinks she is done for. 

 The wild woman is fluent in the languages of dreams, images, passion, and poetry.  No act of love or social justice occurs without her.  She lives in every woman, everywhere; in the barrios and the boardroom, in the prison and on the mountain at the fire, in the penthouse suite and on the night bus to Brownsville.  She is mother “El duende,” the goblin wind of creativity.  She leaves footprints behind for us to try on for size.  Whether you are possessed of a simple heart or the ambitions of the Amazon, whether you are trying to make it to the top or just make it through tomorrow, whether you be spicy or somber, regal or rough, the wild nature belongs to you.  She truly belongs to all. The issue is simple.  Without us wild woman dies.  Without wild woman, we die.  “Para Vida,” for true life, both must live.   

Within every woman there is a wild and natural creature, a powerful force, filled with good instincts, passionate creativity, and ageless knowing.  Her name is Wild Woman, but she is an endangered species.  Though the gifts of the wildish nature come to us at birth, society's attempt to "civilize" us into rigid roles has plundered this treasure, and muffled the deep, life-giving messages of our own souls.  Without Wild Woman, we become over-domesticated, fearful, uncreative, trapped.

The real miracle of individuation and reclamation of the Wild Woman is that we all begin the process before we are ready, before we are strong enough, before we know enough; we begin a dialogue with thoughts and feelings that both tickle and thunder within us. We respond before we know how to speak the language, before we know all the answers, and before we know exactly to whom we are speaking.

If you want to create, you have to sacrifice superficiality, some security, and often your desire to be liked, to draw up your most intense insights, your most far-reaching visions. Do not cringe and make yourself small if you are called the black sheep, the maverick, the lone wolf. Those with slow seeing say a nonconformist is a blight on society. But it has been proven over the centuries, that being different means standing at the edge, means one is practically guaranteed to make an original contribution, a useful and stunning contribution to her culture." --Clarissa Pinkola Estes,  Ph.D