Resume -- Sheryl Karas
Sheryl Karas M.A.
Contact Info Provided as Appropriate on Request
Current Work Experiences
Business Owner
Private Practice. Providing spiritual counseling and healing services in-person in the Monterey Bay area, eastern Arizona and via telephone worldwide. (www.healingcommunication.com ) January 2001 - present, as a joint private practice with Paul Hood since January 2006. Hands-on operation of all aspects of running the business including website design and maintenance, newsletter writing and editing, creating content for our Youtube video channel, print advertising, press releases, blogging, and developing online social media networks.
Owner/Producer. Mama Love Perfume, Santa Cruz, CA/Snowflake, AZ. An organic flower essence/aromatherapy perfume business focused on support for emotional issues, selling both wholesale and retail. Hands-on operation of all aspects of running the business. (www.mamaloveproducts.com) July 2003 - present
Artist / Photographer. Self-employed, Santa Cruz, CA and Snowflake, AZ
Framed and unframed painting, digital art and photography. Also product design for art pendants, t-shirts, mugs, greeting cards and a wide variety of other applications. July 1985 - November 1989, January 2006 - present (www.sherylkaras.com, paulnsherylart.etsy.com, www.zazzle.com/paulnsheryl, SherylKaras.imagekind.com/
Published Author
Waking Up in the Great Recession Mormon Desert. In process of seeking publication.
Fully written, with additions and editing by Paul Hood. 2009 - present
The Spiritual Journey of Family Caregiving. Published by Healing Communication Press,
Santa Cruz, CA, January 2008 (www.spiritualcaregiving.org)
Changing the World One Relationship At a Time: Focused Listening for Mutual
Support and Empowerment. Published by Crossing Press, Freedom, CA. Fall 1998
The Solstice Evergreen: The History, Folklore and Origins of the Christmas Tree.
Published by Aslan Publishing, Boulder Creek, CA. Fall 1991, Revised Edition 1998
Freelance Writer. Boston, MA and Santa Cruz, CA
For newspapers, magazines, journals and blogs on the topics of spirituality, peer counseling, creativity, gender and multi-cultural issues, health and healing. Publications have included The Brookline-Newton Tab, Good Times, La Gazette and Present Time. May 1980 - present
Related Previous Work Experiences
Personal and Spiritual Growth Facilitation
Senior Family Consultant. Health Projects Center, Santa Cruz, CA. Provided informal counseling, education, information and referral to family caregivers of patients with Alzheimer’s Disease and other brain-impairing illnesses. Organized workshops on a variety of topics. Supervised clinical and administrative staff. February 2000 - 2005
Adjunct Faculty and Guest Lecturer. Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, Palo Alto, CA., University of California Extension, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz, CA., Cabrillo College, Aptos, CA, Twin Lakes College of the Healing Arts, Santa Cruz, CA., Dominican Hospital’s PEP program, Five Branches Institute, Senior Circle at Watsonville Hospital, and Elderday Adult Day Health Program. Workshops on caregiver stress and basic skills, community building, peer counseling and communication skills. January 1998 - February 2000
Program Coordinator. Alzheimer’s Association, Santa Cruz, CA
Led 8-week Early Stage Alzheimer’s Support groups for patients and caregivers, monthly caregiving groups in Santa Cruz and San Benito counties, gave presentations on Alzheimer’s Disease and provided information and referral. May - December 1999
Peer Counseling Teacher and Practitioner. Re-evaluation Counseling, Boston, MA and Santa Cruz, CA. Taught fundamentals, ongoing and teacher’s training classes. Led workshops on community building, leadership development, sexism, and creativity. Led support groups for women, couples, artists, and the self-employed. July 1985 - June 1997
Graphic Designer
Book Designer/Acting Art Director. Crossing Press, Freedom, CA.
Designed books, book covers, and catalogs. Directed freelance illustrators and graphic artists. Developed concepts for new products and solicited art. April 1991 - February 1994
In-House Communications Support. The Downtown Association, Santa Cruz, CA. Designed newsletters, flyers and other promotional materials for the earthquake relief effort. October 1989 - October 1990
Owner/Graphic Designer. Paper Quilts Design Studio, Santa Cruz, CA.
Specialized in book design for The Crossing Press, The Book Publishing Company,
Heart and Soul Publications, and many others. July 1985 - February 1997
Freelance Graphic Designer. Cambridge, MA. Clients included SAIL Magazine, Simmons College, Harvard School of Public Health, Appalachian Mountain Club, Fannell Studio, The Creative Source, and many others. August 1982 - June 1985
Education
Board Certification Training Program in Internal Medicine. The Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine College, Berkeley, CA. 2005
Flower Essence Practitioner Training. Flower Essence Society, Nevada City, CA. 2003
Reiki Master/Teacher. Trained under Jeanine Sande, 1998 - 2002
Master of Arts in Transpersonal Psychology. Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, Palo Alto, CA. May 1997
Bachelor of Arts in Communications. Minor in Psychology/Women’s Studies. Simmons College, Boston, MA. May 1980
Volunteer Work
Concert and Event Production and Promotion. Santa Cruz, CA.
Libana, a women’s world music ensemble, a successful joint benefit for Monarch School and Del Mar Caregiver Resource Center, 2004
“The Soul of Hope,” a two-act, Jewish mystical adventure story, featuring storyteller Doug Lipman, a benefit for Changing Tiger Institute, 1998
The Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County. Participated as an artist representative in a think tank created to design a 5-Year Plan for the Arts in Santa Cruz County. We discussed ideas for creating a Performing Arts Center, satellite-incubation centers for supporting the work of emerging artists, and Artist Live-Work arrangements. I also served on the organizing committee for their annual fundraising event, Hearts for the Arts, and on the focus group that developed their highly-successful Open Studios Tour which happens annually in October.
First Night Santa Cruz. Served on the organizing committee putting on the city’s first First Night event in 1995 and as stage manager for several years after that.
© Copyright 2010 Sheryl Karas & Paul Hood
