______________________________________________________________________________
They/Them Pronouns
(he and she are okay too)
OrionCCrook@gmail.com || (305) 804-2266
EDUCATION
University of West Georgia, Carrollton, Georgia
Master of Arts in Psychology, July 2011
Earned the Humanistic Praxis Certificate through the Therapeutic Training Program
Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Graduate Certificate in Qualitative and Interpretive Research Program (CIQR)
Florida International University, Miami, Florida
Bachelor of Arts, Major: Honors in Psychology, Studio Art and Philosophy
RESIDENCIES
2015-Current
Founder of the TAR (Therapeutic Artists Residency) Project and Resident Therapist, Jury Panelist, Marketing, & Funding
Season One 2016-2017: Offered 4 artist individual and group therapy for a year that ended in a two showcases of their work
Parallels: Unfolding Space at Day & Night Projects in July
Parallels: Holding Space at Binders PCM Gallery in May 12-27th
Season Two 2019-2020: Offered two artists individual therapy that ended in solo shows at Day & Night Projects and Atlanta Contemporary in Summer 2020 and 7 artists a monthly support group
Season Three 2022-2023: Offered Mind Bath out of Toronto a year of individual sessions that will cumulate in workshops, public readings, and a music tour.
2022
Chinkapin Craft Stead Residency, Liberty, Tennessee, Resident Artist August-September
2014-2015
Kiln House Residency Program founding member with Stephanie Pharr
2014
Sassafras in Woodbury, Tennessee; Resident Artist May & December
2013
Sassafras in Woodbury, Tennessee; Resident Artist May
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2019
Installation, “The Giant Question Mark,” at the Bakery for Deep South and Kudzu Pride, October
2015
Solo Show I Commit at 9 Ace Gallery, July 5-10th
2014-2017
“This Takes Time,” at Eyedrum Gallery August 2014-Nov 2017
EXHIBITIONS
2017-2023 updating soon
2017
Performance and Installation, “Parallels: Unfolding Space,” at Day & Night Projects in July 27th-August 19th
2016
Philia at Low Museum
2013
See Through by PushPush Theater at Nelson St. Gallery
PERFORMANCE
2016
Mammal Gallery, Dog Wedding Ceremony with eyeCandle, February 14th
Performed as, ‘The Mare,’ in Rose M. Barron and J. William Hill’s, “Will You be My Nightmare,” at The B Complex October
Waking Down by Shana Robbins at Gallery Protocol, Gainesville, Fl
Sumptuary at Mint Gallery with Zee Zee Bow Dong
2015
South East-US Performance Tour with eyeCandle, January 30- February 14
Downtown Players Club, The Variety Show: Ladies First with eyeCandle, December 12th
Ritual 9 with Shana Robbins at Bluemark Studios, February 19th
2014
Cloth at Tanz Farm with Glo
Nature of Consciousness at Skwhirlhaus
Thunder Road with Kris Pilcher at Art on the Beltline
2013
Love Like a Devil’s Handshake curated by Jonathan Bouknight at the Atlanta Contemporary Art Center
An Evening of Art and Music at Shakespeare Tavern
Dali Surreal College Night at The High Museum of Art
2012
Lead Performance Artist with the Back Pockets on the two month Magic Cloud Tour of the US
Boy in Terrarium in Terrariums during FLUX Night at Raw Space
CURATORIAL
2017
Parallels: Unfolding Space at Day & Night Projects in July
Parallels: Holding Space at Binders PCM Gallery in May 12-27th
2015
Panel member for the Walthall Fellowship 2015, Portalism, at MOCA GA
Curated Living Case at Eyedrum Gallery, August 15-Sept. 5th
2014-2015
Curator at Kiln House, Dahlongea, Georgia
2012-2014
Curator at The Merman Manor, Edgewood, Atlanta, Georgia
2013
Artistic Designer on I am a Groucho Marxist by Anya Liftig with FLUX Projects
2005-2007
Curator at Basement Gallery in Miami, Florida
FILM
2014
“Magic Cloud” Featured as lead performance artist of the Back Pockets in the documentary made about the Back Pockets and two-month tour they took across the United States. Received the WonderRoot Choice Award at the 2015 WonderRoot Film Festival.
COUNSELING EXPERIENCE OrionPsychotherapy.org
Orion Psychotherapy, Atlanta, Georgia
Psychotherapist and Office Manager, May 2014-Current
Current Supervisor: Annie Kelahan, LPC, ATR-BC, (404) 825-2875
My private practice is a huge life accomplishment and possibly my most artistic endeavor. In building my web-site, doing all the marketing and handling all clinical documentation/forms necessary for treatment, I have grounded myself in a lifelong dedication to offering safer space for individuals to do their work. I specialize in working with adolescents and adults survivors of trauma, transitioning with gender, exploring sexuality and everyday individuals who desire to have someone support their development; often utilizing Expressive Therapy techniques in person centered approaches.
CHRIS 180 Clubhouse, Atlanta, Georgia
Clinical Supervisor and Therapist, August 2015-March 2016
The Clubhouse is a Safer Space for emerging adults who have either a mental health diagnoses and/or substance use struggles. In this position I completed assessments, facilitated groups and engaged in individual sessions. On a daily basis, I provide positive role-modeling and in-milieu therapy that assist in life skill development, mixed in with Expressive and Recreational Therapy techniques. I developed and ran a weekly LGBTQ Support Group as CHRIS 180 was founded with a focus on LGBT foster care.
Vive Family Support Systems, Atlanta, Georgia
Therapeutic Mentor and Parent Coach, October 2014-June 2015
At Vive I worked with teens and young adults, and their parents to make behavioral changes and foster assertive communication. I would pick up the teens and young adults and take them on two hour sessions engaging them in experiential activities (rock climbing, hiking, restaurants, museums, etc.). Part of my position was to a positive role model and to facilitate life skill development, while providing therapeutic services.
Licensed Professional Counselor Association, Norcross, Georgia
Continuing Education Reviewer, October 2014-August 2015
Reviewed and approved/denied continuing education workshop applications for Licensed Professional Counselor Association in the State of Georgia and accessed Excel to track all records.
Skyland Trail, Atlanta, Georgia
Supportive Horticultural Therapist and Life Enrichment Adult Program Staff, April 2011 to March 2012
My clinical internship and two positions at Skyland help propel my understanding of the direction my role as a therapist would take of the years to come. In these positions, I worked with severe mental illness through individual and group sessions as well as horticulture, art, music and other recreational therapies. I developed a vocational structure to meet client’s treatment goals. I was the first ever clinician to bridge the gap between the clinical department and the adjunctive therapy side of the program.
WORKSHOPS & PRESENTATIONS
Monthly talks at the Herbalista Health Fair at Big House on Ponce since Feb 2015-June 2107, and on mental health stigma in Atlanta Public schools.
2019
Crook, O., (2019, July). Gabshop One: Wait! All negative emotions are just chemically stored data? Orion Psychotherapy Free to the Community series. Atlanta, Ga.
Crook, O., (2019, February). Queering Self Care. Georgia Safe Schools Summit. Decatur, Ga.
Crook, O., (2019, February). Psychology, Magic, and Creativity. Georgia Safe Schools Summit. Decatur, Ga.
Crook, O., (2019, February). What to do now? An open Dialogue between supporters of LGBTQ+ Youth. Georgia Safe Schools Summit. Decatur, Ga.
2018
Crook, O., (2018, May). The intersectionality of Queer and Transgender in Adolescent Clients: And the use of Expressive Therapy with them. Orion Psychotherapy. LPCA approved CE course. Atlanta, Ga.
Crook, O., (2018, January). Trauma and Art: How to. Orion Psychotherapy. LPCA approved CE course. Atlanta, Ga.
2017
Crook, O., (2017, April). Expressive Therapies: A Current Exploration. LPCA approved CE course. Rush Center. Atlanta, Ga.
Crook, O., (2017, March). Your Vision: The Early Stages of Private Practice and What You Need to Know. LPCA approved CE course. Orion Psychotherapy. Atlanta, Ga.
2016
Baxter, A. & Crook, O., (2016, November). The Ethics of Social Media Marketing for Therapists. NASW continuing education ethics course. Atlanta, Ga.
2014
Crook, O., (2014, June). Emerging Adults in the Woods: Wilderness Therapy, Horticultural Therapy, and How the Expressive Therapy Modalities Inform Our Practice as Mental Health Practitioners. LPCA continuing education course. LGBTQ Therapist Resource. Atlanta, Ga.
2011
Crook, O., (2011, April). Horticultural Approaches to the Therapeutic. SPARC: Student Psychology Annual Research Conference. University of West Georgia, Ga.
2009
Crook, O., Parker, L., & Arey, C. (2009, November). Explorations of Connection in the Self within the Psychotherapist through Experiential Activities. American Academy of Psychotherapist 54th Annual Conference. Sarasota, Fl.
AWARDS
Recipient of the HATCH pilot program with C4 Atlanta in 2015
2016
American Academy of Psychotherapist Scholar recipient
Received the Community Reinvestment Grant from the Pride Committee
The Awesome Foundation Grant for TAR Project
2010
Mike Arrons Scholarship
2009
Honored with the Service to the Community Award at the Annual Jim Klee forum
POSITIONS HELD
Member of the American Academy of Psychotherapist and on the Committee for the Southern Region
Secretary the the LGBTQ Therapist Resource Board and on the Atlanta Coalition for LGBTQ Youth
Arts Force member with C4 Atlanta
Member of LPCA (Licensed Professional Counselor Association), GTNetwork (Georgia Therapy Network)