Jarred Sharar is an impassioned advocate for child development and education. In his current role as the resident drama therapist at the Family Compass clinic, he delivers creative therapeutic experiences informed by the power of art as a vehicle for mental health and wellness. He also instructs an arts curriculum for children with special needs at the River Terrace Education Campus of the District of Columbia Public Schools.

Prior to his work in the District of Columbia, Jarred pioneered drama therapy for over 10 years at the Cooke Center for Learning and Development in New York City, growing to establish the school’s formal art based therapies curriculum. In addition to his professional activities, he continues his volunteer advocacy work as a drama therapist with Jacob’s Color Link Initiative in Haiti, a vice president of his local chapter of the North American Drama Therapy Association, and has served as a co-chair of the 38th annual NADTA conference. Jarred is a graduate of the master of the arts program in drama therapy at New York University, and holds a bachelor of arts from the University of Central Florida.