Cindy Bautista-Thomas, PhD, LCSW, RYT

Cindy Bautista-Thomas, PhD, LCSW is an Assistant Professor at Lehman College, Department of Social Work, City University of New York. She obtained her PhD and MPhil from the Urban Education program at the City University of New York, Graduate Center, her MSW from University at Albany, State University of New York, and her BSW from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Dr. Cindy Bautista-Thomas is a licensed clinical social worker, social work educator, podcast host, yoga instructor, mindfulness facilitator, author, mother, wife, master trainer and curator of spaces of healing, transformation, and impact.

With over 20 years of social work experience in early intervention, child welfare, public schools, higher education and work within nonprofit and corporate entities, Cindy has provided training and workshop facilitation through her company Velocity Visions, Inc. in the areas of toxic stress, leadership development, effective communication, burn out prevention, compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, self-care, mental health, incorporating mindfulness and contemplative practices. She is a contributing author to the best selling book Latinx in Social Work: Stories that heal, inspire, and connect communities. Most recently, she has co-authored the textbook, School Social Work: A Direct Practice Guide (Second Edition).

Ancy Lewis, LCSW

Ancy Lewis is a licensed clinical social worker who has worked with multiple populations for 20 years in the areas of mental health, early childhood, adult nursing care, child welfare, and higher education. Ancy holds a master’s degree in social work from New York University. Currently, Ancy is an assistant director of field education serving the online and on-campus field education programs at Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service. In addition, Ancy is also the co-founder and president of Velocity Visions, Inc., a personal and professional development company committed to providing individuals, groups, and organizations the tools for transformation through trainings and experiential activities that promote self-care practices, personal and professional growth, and prevention of burnout and compassion fatigue. Formerly, Ancy was in private practice as a behavioral coach with parents across the United States and Canada whose young children were having behavioral sleep issues and other disruptive behaviors.

Ancy is passionate about the intersection of health and education. She uses her clinical social work experience to enhance the educational experience of those who attend her trainings and workshops, and those who serve the most vulnerable populations. During the global COVID- 19 pandemic, Ancy was instrumental in bringing mental health awareness, education, and practical tools to support mental health wellness to schools, nonprofit agencies, and medical providers. Due to her vast knowledge of adult mental health issues, she was invited to present to global audiences. She has presented internationally for the Indian Orthopaedic Association and mental health practitioners from Nepal to address the impacts of the pandemic on providers and the community.

Ancy’s social work journey has spanned various realms of social work practice. Her diverse experience has contributed to her impactful communication, teaching, and collaboration skills with multiple agencies, government organizations, and systems. She hosts the podcast Self-care to Success. She has also contributed to Parents Magazine, The Journal News, Pregnancy Corner, Reader’s Digest, and The Baltimore Times.