Jafar Lawrence Woods is a Creative Arts Therapy practitioner, Hip-Hop Therapy specialist, and teaching artist based in Los Angeles. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Creative Arts Therapy from Whitecliffe College and has spent nearly two decades using music, movement, and the arts to support young people in finding their voice. Before entering the therapy field, he spent many years as a signed recording artist, an experience that continues to inform his authentic, music-centered approach to therapeutic practice.

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Jafar currently works with Rhythm & Truth, facilitating trauma-informed Hip-Hop Therapy and Creative Arts Therapy programs across multiple residential treatment centers for youth and young adults experiencing complex mental health challenges. His work integrates songwriting, beat production, movement, storytelling, and visual arts to foster emotional expression, identity development, resilience, and connection.

 

Passionate about bridging clinical practice with contemporary youth culture, Jafar is committed to developing creative, culturally responsive approaches that support mental wellbeing and contribute to suicide prevention.