Before joining Urban Alchemy as its first Director of Training, Lisa De La Rue was an associate professor of counseling psychology at the University of San Francisco. The focus of her research and clinical work was on supporting people who have experienced violence and/or incarceration. De La Rue has also done work at the intersection of trauma and substance misuse and addiction. She has provided counseling and prevention services to help people in recovery, including developing programming for people in recovery. As Director of Training, De La Rue is overseeing and improving Urban Alchemy’s training program. Before beginning their jobs, each staff member undergoes an extensive training program that prepares them for interacting with unhoused individuals, many of whom have experienced extensive trauma and who may be experiencing mental health or addiction issues. De La Rue’s is also developing certification programs that can help employees demonstrate competence and improve their ability to advance their careers.
