Trainer Biography
Lorena Avitea, LCSW, RPT, RYT
Lorena Avitea is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in private practice. She brings 20 years of experience in working with children and families who have experienced trauma, including children and families involved in the Child Welfare System. Mrs. Avitea is a Registered Play Therapist and a Registered Yoga Teacher. Mrs. Avitea worked directly with children and families impacted by trauma when she accepted her position at Rady Children’s Hospital Chadwick Center for Children and Families. During her 17-year employment at the Chadwick Center, Mrs. Avitea was also offered the opportunity to work under a National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) grant to promote the creation of trauma-informed child welfare systems across the country. In addition to supporting child welfare systems, she facilitated training on the Child Welfare Trauma Toolkit, as well as on the Caring for Children Who Have Experienced Trauma: A Workshop for Resource Parents. In her current clinical practice, Mrs. Avitea provides bilingual individual and family therapy. She utilizes the therapeutic powers of play to engage young children and families and provide developmentally appropriate treatment. The training and practice of being a Registered Yoga Teacher provides opportunities to effectively incorporate breathing exercises, meditation, and guided imagery to improve mental health. This holistic focus encourages the integration of mind, body, and spirit. Mrs. Avitea is currently an active member of the San Diego TERM (Treatment and Evaluation Resources Management) Advisory Board. She is also faculty of the San Diego Options for Recovery-Substance Abuse/HIV Infant Foster Home Licensing Program where she provides training to prospective foster parents specific to trauma informed parenting.