Chacha Sands, RSPS, CCTP, CAGCS

As a woman in recovery and multi-business entrepreneur, Chacha Sands is passionate about helping youth to embrace possibility and reach their potential. After graduating Cornerstone in 2006, she set out to complete schooling in Portland, Oregon. Her work with Cornerstone began in 2012 when she would visit Houston to facilitate emotional intelligence (EQ) workshops for the parents and teens. In 2014, she established Crib Design House, a multidivisional creative firm. A year later, she created a printed magazine and multimedia network called, Beacon Quarterly. In 2017, she partnered with her mom to open a lifestyle boutique in downtown Portland, called Trove, and formalized the EQ workshops into a business called The Deep End. She has worked with Cornerstone in various capacities over the years until joining full-time as partner in 2020. During Covid, she paused her Portland companies to focus on building the Northside group of Cornerstone. She is inspired by many teachers including Brene Brown, Dr. Linda Bacon of Health at Every Size, Dr. Tracey Adams of Thrive On, and believes in the 12-step principles. 

TESTIMONIALS

DR. TRACEY ADAMS  |  Founder, ThriveOn Seminars | Portland, OR
Chacha Sands is one of those rare facilitators that can help participants uncover areas about themselves they may be afraid to confront. Her sessions are hands-on, practical, and they get to the depths of emotional discovery unlike surface learning workshops. You really need to just experience her to truly understand the gifts that she brings to the work of emotional intelligence development. I can describe it as art, meets therapy, meets meditation, meets mindfulness, meets self-expression. She is brilliant.
 

DR. MARK MOORE | Owner, The Village Vet at Sterling Ridge | The Woodlands, TX
I have attended two of Chacha's art therapy workshops; one in conjunction with an adult class I facilitated on the value of the arts, and one that was offered through a local recovery program with which I am familiar.  Each session was tailor-made to be appropriate for the demographic of the participants. Each was non-threatening in an environment created to be safe, yet encourage real self-honesty and healthy self-awareness.  In both sessions, the outcomes for each individual were manifold and profound. Chacha is uniquely and naturally gifted in pushing the envelope without ripping it open. She is winsome, kind-hearted, tender and gentle. She also knows how to unlock the doors that many of us have avoided for all of our lives. You owe it to yourself to invest in yourself by availing yourself to this phenomenal exercise. 

DEBBIE ORTIZ | Development Director, Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans | Houston, TX
Chacha is a phenomenally astute, compassionate, dedicated and adaptive woman with a wonderful “can do” and persevering attitude, great aplomb, and an incredible array of creative tools and insightful talents. She shows deep compassion for others, and has the determination to get any job done. I would highly recommend her for any project or position to which she aspires.
I have had the privilege and good fortune to work with Cha Cha Sands on several occasions. She directed a group of troubled adolescents to produce low-cost museum-quality art pieces, overcoming challenges. Leading art therapy workshops for both young and old individuals who have experienced trauma, she never lost her composure and worked extremely well with all.  She single-handedly designed and executed an incredible special event set-up, developing all the concepts and coordinating needed materials, supplies, and volunteers, never once complaining when obstacles arose. 

CAITLIN RUDERMAN | Wraparound Youth Partner, Youth Era | Portland, OR
Chacha exudes strength, warmth, and authenticity. One conversation with her is enough to see that she truly practices what she preaches. Her guidance in my life has proved invaluable–she has taught me to lean into fear and open my arms to love in ways I've never imagined, giving me the strength to survive, and even find joy in, the times in life that seem unsurvivable. She's shown me how to navigate life with grace, dignity, and, most importantly, self-compassion. It is with her direction and teachings that I have been able and willing to walk through some of the most difficult times I have ever experienced, becoming stronger, more grounded, and more whole. Since working with her, I have uncovered a strength and authenticity within me that I never saw before. I can trust myself, I can know myself, and I can live, fully and thoroughly, with expansiveness and love. 

EXPERIENCE

Work: 
2012, Cornerstone of Houston, CONTRACT
2014, Crib Design House, OWNEER
2015, Beacon Quarterly, OWNER
2017, The Deep End, OWNER 
2017, Trove Curated Home, CO-OWNER
2020, Cornerstone Team Counseling, CO-OWNER 
2020, Cornerstone Team Outreach, CO-OWNER

Mentorships: 
2013, Scott Elementary School Portland, OR
2014, McKinley Elementary School, Beaverton, OR

CREATIVE: 
2008, Cannibals Gallery, Portland, OR
2009, Cascade Aids Project, Portland, OR
2012, Woo Jae Gill Museum, Gwanju, South Korea
2013, Fuzzy Logic, Nisus Gallery, Portland, OR
2013, Reflect on This, In Progress Gallery, Portland, OR
2013, Not Enough!, SMYRC PDX, Portland, OR
2014, Kwir, Loose Associations, Autzen Gallery, Portland, OR
2014, Jamison Restaurant, Portland, OR
2015, Wut Guise, Composition Gallery, Portland, OR
2015, Bodywork, Vibrant Studios, Portland, OR
2015, PLATFORM, Holocene, Portland, OR
2018, Design Week Portland, Portland, OR
2018, Nail Biter, 220 Salon, Portland OR
2019, EYRST, RED BULL MUSIC, THE EVERGREEN, PORTLAND OR
2019, THE QUEER BAR, RED BULL MUSIC, SEATTLE PRIDE, SEATTLE, WA
2019, SHE SHREDS, RED BULL MUSIC, REVOLUTION HALL, PORTLAND OR
2019, DODGR TOUR, RED BULL MUSIC, HEY LOVE AT JUPITER NEXT, PORTLAND OR
2019, DODGR TOUR, RED BULL MUSIC, PRODUCE PORTLAND, PORTLAND OR
2019, DODGR TOUR, RED BULL MUSIC, ROSELAND THEATRE, PORTLAND OR
2019, FEMME TAPE TOUR, SEATTLE, WA
2019, FEMME TAPE TOUR, PORTLAND OR
2019, FEMME TAPE TOUR, SACRAMENTO, CA
2019, FEMME TAPE TOUR, SAN FRANCISCO, CA
2019, FEMME TAPE TOUR, LOS ANGELES, CA
2019, FEMME TAPE TOUR, SANTA ANA, CA
2019, Design Week Portland, Portland, OR
2019, Tan Lines festival, Century Bar, Portland, OR
2021, Beacon Quarterly x New York Fashion Week, New York, NY

Certificates: 
2005, Wilton Cake Decorators Level 1
2005, Wilton Cake Decorators Level 2
2006, Wilton Cake Decorators Level 3
2020, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional 
2020, Eating Disorders and Substance Use Disorders 
2021, Breaking Myths Surrounding Treatment of Eating Disorders and Substance Use Disorders 
2021, Certified Advanced Grief Counseling Specialist 
2022, Not Your Parents Cannabis 
2022, Recovery Support Peer Specialist 

Education: 
2006-2008, Glassell School of Art 
2008-2011 Portland Community College, Associates of Arts, Highest Honors
2008-2011 Portland Community College, Associates of Science, Highest Honors
2012-2014 Portland State University, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Studio Practice, Magna Cum Laude

Extra: 
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society 
Time Based Arts Club
Student Exhibit in South Korea

Contact Chacha Sands:

832.487.9756

chacha@csteamcounseling.com