Rising Stars: Meet Andromeda “Andi” Faber of Decatur

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andromeda “Andi” Faber.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Before I knew I was queer, I joined a theatre troupe in my small town. I didn’t know why, but I felt othered at school among my peers. For some reason I always found myself on the outside looking in. I knew I was different for some reason, but I couldn’t figure out why. I felt depressed and like I wanted to leave this world behind. When I started doing theatre, I suddenly found a group of friends that were supportive and also looking to find ways to fit in. We tried on different identities through the characters we played. We supported each other by collaboratively creating art that we shared with our community. I felt sure that I needed to stay alive because my friends needed me to be a part of the play. During this time I discovered plays centering queer voices, and while I wasn’t ready to accept this part of myself, I felt free to imagine myself in roles and claim that it was “just acting.” When I started my undergraduate studies at Kennesaw State University, I began as a theatre and performance major, but I knew I did not want to pursue a career in acting or teaching. I was interested in doing advocacy work for sex trafficking survivors, so I attended a lecture by Gwen Skinner, the VPO at Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health in Kennesaw. After attending her lecture I went to lunch with her and a few other attendees. She talked about recreation therapy and play therapy that they used with their CSEC clients. I wondered if theatre therapy was a thing. I went home and researched this idea and discovered the field of drama therapy. I added a major in psychology and began dedicating my studies to pursuing a career as a drama therapist. During my undergraduate years I began to understand my queer identity. I developed a research project on queer identity and purity culture that integrated my knowledge of theatre and psychology. I presented this research at the National Conference for Undergraduate Research under the title Queer Virginity: How Purity Culture Affects the LGBTQIA+ Community. Once I graduated with my dual degrees, I began working as a direct support professional at Devereux. I developed the curriculum for an LGBT education and support group that I ran for several years both during my time working there and after I left to pursue graduate school on a volunteer basis. I attended Lesley University to pursue a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling with a specialization in drama therapy. Here I gained knowledge in traditional counseling theory including existential/humanistic theory, group counseling theory, and career counseling. Additionally I trained in several modalities of drama therapy including Developmental Transformations (DvT), psychodrama, and the CoActive Therapeutic Theatre Model (CoATT). I participated in two internships. The first at a preschool working with very young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the second at a therapeutic school for adults and adolescents with ASD and ADHD. My second internship coincided with my thesis work at Lesley. For my thesis I used the CoATT model to facilitate a semester-long group with five participants in the program. I supported the participants in writing, rehearsing, and performing a play for their peers based on their upcoming transition out of the therapeutic school. After completing my internship and graduating with my Master’s degree, I joined a private practice as an associate counselor. I am currently seeing individual clients and running groups including a Knitting for Mindfulness group and a psychoeducation for survivors of sexual assault.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The most difficult moment in my journey in becoming a therapist was when I was attacked by a client at Devereux. This client was terrified and had experienced extreme hardship in their life. My attempts to deescalate did not work and the client lost control of their body and violently attacked me while trying to get my keys. After this incident I stopped working as a direct support professional, but continued to come and run the LGBT group I started as a volunteer.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
In addition to being a drama therapist, I also work as an intimacy director. I began this work alongside my Master’s program. I have worked with theatres across Atlanta including Merely Players and Renegade Theatre Company as well as with new works festivals including SheATL Arts. Intimacy direction is my favorite part of doing theatre. I love getting the opportunity to create safe enough spaces for actors to make bold choices. Some of my favorite credits include Anna in the Tropics (Merely Players), Dog Song and Rootbound (SheATL Arts), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Renegade Theatre Company). The current show I am working on is Company with Renegade Theatre Company.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
Atlanta became my home as soon as I moved here. I feel rooted in the theatre community and queer night life. I love that I am accepted for all that I am.

I do not own a car and take public transportation. It is extraordinarily difficult to navigate this city without a car. Getting to a doctor’s appointment takes hours and that becomes an exhausting barrier to overcome.

Pricing:

• Individual Counseling $100
• Relationship Counseling $100/person
• Knitting for Mindfulness $20

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.havehearttherapy.com/andi
• Instagram: @andifaberdramatherapist
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61591075346978