Aileen Cho

Aileen Cho is an Adjunct Lecturer in the Department of Counseling Psychology / Drama Therapy at the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS). She holds an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from CIIS and a B.A. in Theatre with a Psychology focus from UC San Diego. Her work integrates drama therapy with clinical practice, specializing in eating disorders, trauma, and co-occurring disorders. She directs Theatre for Change and teaches courses such as Developmental Transformations, Case Seminar, and Trauma & Resilience.

Education:

• M.A. in Counseling Psychology, CIIS
• B.A. in Theatre (Psychology focus), UC San Diego

Research Interests:

Cho’s clinical expertise spans domestic violence support, community mental health, and therapeutic interventions in inpatient and outpatient settings. She specializes in using Developmental Transformations (DvT) and self-revelatory performance as tools for healing.

Awards:

• Recipient of the NADTA Raymond Jacobs Memorial Diversity Award (2012) with Theatre for Change troupe

Advising & Grants:

Cho has extensive clinical experience across diverse populations, including adolescents, veterans, and marginalized communities. Her work emphasizes trauma-informed care and social justice. She collaborates on research projects addressing embodied interventions in eating disorder treatment and trauma-informed drama therapy practices.

Labs/Teams:

Director of Theatre for Change, which uses performance to foster personal and social healing.