JENNIFER WILES, M.A., LMHC, BC-DMT

Director of HEARTplay, Camp Erin Boston, and Children's Services
at Beth Israel Lahey Health At Home (formerly CareGroup Parmenter Home Care & Hospice, Inc)

Jennifer is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a Board Certified Dance/Movement Therapist. Jennifer has served as the director of Children's Services, the HEARTplay program and Camp Erin Boston for the past eight years. Under Jennifer's direction, children's services has expanded significantly; bringing her award winning programs east to serve more grieving children. She is on the adjunct faculty of Lesley University's Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences, and an approved site supervisor for their Field Training Program.

KATIE McGRAIL, 
M.A., R-DMT

HEARTplay After-School & HEARTplay West
Pre-School Group Leader

Katie serves as Children's Services Coordinator at Beth Israel Lahey Health at Home (formerly CareGroup Parmenter Home Care & Hospice, Inc.) and as Assistant Director of Camp Erin Boston. She is a Registered Dance/Movement Therapist, a 200-certified yoga instructor, and is pursuing her LMHC. Katie's experience includes pre-bereavement and bereavement work with children and families, work with adults living with challenges including memory loss, homelessness, and acquired/traumatic brain injury as well as teaching dance and yoga to children and adults. In addition to dance and yoga, Katie enjoys reading, baking, and spending time outside!

AUDREY LaVALLEE, LMHC, BC-DMT

HEARTplay East Group Leader

Audrey is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Board Certified Dance/Movement Therapist. Her experience includes work with elders and adults living with a wide range of challenges. She has enjoyed teaching and training therapists as adjunct faculty at Lesley University and Endicott College. She is passionate about dance and performs locally when she can spare time from her two young boys! She is continually fascinated and inspired by the capacity for movement to connect us to ourselves and to each other.

JON HAZILLA

HEARTplay Percussionist

Jon has been a Professor at Berklee College for twenty-nine years. He is a certified Hospice volunteer for Aseracare Hospice. He has volunteered with various humanitarian organizations. He is a Pastoral Associate at First Parish Unitarian Universalist church in Brookline, Massachusetts and teaches in the R. E. program. He has run forty marathons and one ultra. We are fortunate to have Jon bring his incredible experience as a musician and mentor to our HEARTplay groups.

KEN BARRINGER, M.A., LMHC

HEARTplay Parent/Caregiver Support
Group Leader

Ken is the Director of the Academy of Physical and Social Development where he has worked since 1981. He is an adjunct faculty member at Lesley University Division of Counseling and Psychology. He is a consultant to public and private schools as well as mental health programs and summer camps. Ken has a private practice specializing in grief and loss.

Alejandra Salazar, LMHC, R-DMT

Alejandra is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a Registered Dance Movement Therapist.  In addition to her work with HEARTplay she is also a Supervisor for South Bay Community services as well as an outpatient therapist. Her experience includes work with child bereavement and children and youth with various mental health diagnosis such as ADHD, ODD, Anxiety, and Depression. Alejandra enjoys dancing and spending time with her dogs.

Alejandra es una Consejera Licenciada en Salud Mental y ademas una Terapista de Danza registrada. Adicional al trabajo que hace en HEARTplay, es supervisora en South Bay Community Services y terapeuta ambulatoria. Su experiencia incluye trabajo con la crisis del duelo infantil, ademas del manejo de ninos y jovenes con diferentes patologias de salud mental como desordenes de hiperactividad con deficit de atencion, transtorno de oposicion desafiante, ansiedad y depresion. Alejandra disfruta bailar y pasar mucho tiempo con su perro.

CHANTAL NATHALIE BAÑUELOS-ATIENZA

HEARTplay Intern

Chantal is currently studying Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Dance/Movement Therapy at Lesly University. Her professional career has been catered to the mental, physical, and spiritual wellness of individuals. Her experience includes working with hospitalized children suffering from lifelong illness and medical conditions at Children’s Hospital of Orange County. Furthermore, teaching developmental dance for children 16 months- 12years of age, as well as leading movement sessions with adults who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Currently, she is focused on enhancing her therapeutic skills and teaching fitness classes at TRILLFIT.

Chantal está estudiando Consejería Clínica de Salud Mental y Terapia de Danza / Movimiento en la Universidad de Lesley. Su carrera profesional se ha centrado en el bienestar mental, físico y espiritual de las personas. Su experiencia incluye trabajar con niños hospitalizados en el Hospital de Niños del Condado de Orange. Además, enseña danza del desarrollo para niños de 16 meses a 12 años de edad, y dirige sesiones de movimiento con adultos que tienen discapacidades intelectuales y del desarrollo. En este momento, está enfocada en mejorar sus habilidades terapéuticas y es instructora de cardio dance en TRILLFIT.

PATRICKA JAMES

HEARTplay Intern

Patricka is in graduate school studying Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Dance/Movement Therapy with special interests in social/racial justice and considerations. Patricka’s experience includes work with adults in inpatient hospital settings, older adult cancer survivors, homelessness, children in recreational and academic settings, and recently served as a Big Buddy for Camp Erin Boston. In addition, Patricka enjoys cooking, dancing, reading, and swimming. Patricka is excited for this year and dedicated to creating a culturally affirming, caring environment to aid the grieving process of children and families. 

ELISHA LLOYD

HEARTplay Intern

Elisha is in Lesley University’s graduate program for Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Dance/Movement Therapy. Her experience includes supporting those who are grieving the loss of a pet, mentoring children about the natural world, and providing support for autistic individuals. Her passion for movement brought her to Boston from California where she worked as a Registered Veterinary Technician, an outdoor educator, and an acrobatic yoga enthusiast. This opportunity to work with and learn from HEARTplay is truly special and will be an integral foundation for her future career as a therapist.