Ciara Ward

Caring Conversations Center, USA

Title: Therapy for the World: Redefining Mental Health Through Culture, Creativity, and Community

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Biography

Ciara Ward, LCSW, MSW, MCR, CAMS-II, is the founder of Ci Notes and Caring Conversations Center. With 10+ years of experience in trauma-informed care, anger management, and court-mandated services, she is committed to making therapy accessible beyond the couch. As an author, speaker, and visionary, Ciara blends clinical insight with cultural wisdom to support healing in every form—mind, body, and soul. Her mission is simple: therapy for the world.

Abstract

While traditional therapy often exists behind closed doors, many individuals—especially within marginalized communities—struggle to access or relate to that model of care. As a licensed clinical social worker, certified anger management specialist, and founder of Ci Notes, my work focuses on integrating therapeutic practices into everyday life through education, creative expression, and public engagement. This presentation explores how holistic, culturally competent approaches—such as workshops, podcasts, festivals, and written tools—can increase mental health access and awareness across communities. By shifting the perception of therapy from a clinical setting to a living, breathing part of daily experiences, we address systemic mistrust, stigma, and resource gaps in underserved populations. Drawing from over a decade of practice in hospitals, courts, and community-based programs, I will share real-world applications of mental health advocacy that combine emotional intelligence, storytelling, and spiritual grounding. This work offers a framework for making healing visible, relevant, and reachable—one conversation, one community, one cliché at a time.