Autistry Studios Staff

Janet Lawson, MFT, Executive Director

Janet is a Marriage and Family Therapist and has worked with adolescents and young adults for many years. She has a Masters in Library and Information Science (Indiana University) and an MS in Counseling Psychology (Dominican University). She worked for several years in the film industry and was a Producing Fellow at the American Film Institute. She is a Phi Beta Kappa – Summa Cum Laude graduate of UC Berkeley, with a major in Film Studies. Blog Posts

Dan Swearingen, Director of Studio Operations

Dan was educated as an astrophysicist but has mainly worked in software development for private industry and government projects. Outside of work Dan has always loved building things and Autistry Studios leverages and challenges all his skills. Dan’s job is to maintain technologies for the students to use in their projects and teach the students how to (safely) use them. Blog Posts

Courtenay Bell: Workshop Lead

Courtenay is an Educator from Oakland California. She holds both Multiple Subject and Special Education teaching credentials. She also has an MA in Special Education from San Francisco State University and an Autism Specialists Certificate from Project Mosaic. Courtenay received her BFA in Painting from the San Francisco Art Institute and strives to inspire art every day of her life. She hopes to develop and maintain programs to ensure success of youth on the Autism Spectrum transitioning to college life and beyond.

Anna Dow: MFT Trainee

Anna has been passionate about art ever since she can remember. She received her BA in Psychology (art minor) with the goal of becoming an art therapist. Before joining the Autistry team she led healing arts groups in diverse settings including the cancer ward of a children’s hospital, a detention center, homeless shelters, and a non-profit for developmentally disabled adults. She is currently in a Master’s of Counseling program at Sonoma State University and simultaneously working on her Expressive Art Therapy certificate through JFK University. Anna has a deep passion for nature, is trained in outdoor leadership and plans to join in on Autistry adventures!

Sara Gardner: MFT Trainee

Sara is a graduate of Mills College and is pursuing her Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology at Dominican University. She has years of experience working with individuals on the autism spectrum. Sara is an accomplished role-playing gamer and is developing a therapy model for working with young adults using role-playing scenarios. She is also an avid equestrian and quite skilled with LARP weapons.

Caitlin O’Brien: LPCC Intern

Caitlin recently moved to California from Seattle, WA where she graduated from Antioch University with an M.A. in Art Therapy and Mental Health Counseling. Caitlin has worked in the school system with special needs children, varying in age from preschool all the way up to high school. Her Master’s Thesis work included facilitating a Phototherapy group for homeless men living in downtown Seattle. Caitlin is passionate about opening people’s eyes to the positive impact creative arts therapies can have in all of our lives.

Melissa Diaz-Infante: Workshop Assistant

Enthralled by puppetry at a young age, Melissa Diaz-Infante continues to carry with her an appreciation for the art form and will co-lead our Puppet Theatre workshops. Harnessing the transformative power of theatre and the unique way in which puppetry makes self-discovery and expression possible, she looks forward to facilitating their application at Autistry Studios and witnessing the fantastic results to come. Melissa is a graduate of Boston College and is currently a shadow puppet designer at Bindlestiff Studio, a San Francisco based Filipinio American performing arts center.

Jeremy Gaunt: Workshop Assistant

Jeremy is a talented model builder, RPG gamer, and has lots of experience with the business side of things (like accounting!). Jeremy will be a great asset as we set up the accounting infrastructure to support the launch of our Autistry enterprises. Jeremy also knows his way around a workshop filled with power tools – always a plus at Autistry.