The mental health community is grieving the sudden loss of Carmen Jimenez-Pride, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, Certified EMDR Therapist and Consultant, and Solo Lead Trainer for the Internal Family Systems (IFS) Institute.
Based in Augusta, Georgia, Carmen was a trailblazer in the fields of play therapy, trauma treatment, and inclusive, culturally responsive mental health practices. Her passing has left her family, friends, colleagues, and countless clients shocked and heartbroken.
A Legacy of Advocacy and Innovation
Carmen’s career was defined by her passion for helping others heal. A proud graduate of Benedict College and the University of South Carolina – Columbia, she pursued social work not just as a profession, but as a calling. She combined academic rigor, clinical expertise, and deep compassion to create therapeutic practices that honored every part of the human self.
She was best known as the creator of the Focus on Feelings® curriculum, a resource that has empowered children, families, and therapists to better navigate emotional challenges. Her groundbreaking integration of Internal Family Systems therapy with play therapy made her a sought-after speaker, consultant, and trainer worldwide.
In addition to her clinical and teaching work, Carmen was also a best-selling, award-winning children’s book author, using her creativity and storytelling skills to help young readers understand and embrace their feelings.
Remembered by Colleagues and Friends
Tributes poured in from peers across the nation, reflecting Carmen’s wide-reaching impact. One colleague shared:
“Since learning of the untimely passing of my colleague Carmen Jimenez-Pride, I have been numb and shocked. We met in 2018 at the 2nd Black Therapists Rock Conference and connected instantly. We went on to be co-authors in ‘Fiercely Speaking,’ where Carmen’s chapter was titled, ‘Permission to Be Me: Owning My Truth and Finding My Voice.’ I will miss her prankster vibe, her wisdom on makeup tips, and the many ways she supported me and others. May you rest in peace, Carmen.”
Another friend expressed, “My head is still reeling since last night when I learned of the tragic news. Carmen was such a dynamo in our play therapy community and in life itself! She was always learning, always innovating, and always creating new spaces for those who needed them. The best words I can use to describe her are bold, fierce, and vibrant. She will be long remembered.”
A Life of Boldness and Creativity
Carmen lived with boldness, and she worked with purpose. She refused to wait for opportunities—if the door wasn’t open, she built a new one. Whether through training, mentorship, or her writing, she opened paths for other therapists, especially women of color, to thrive in spaces where they had once been underrepresented.
Her colleagues admired her tireless pursuit of learning and growth. As one tribute noted: “I do not know of anyone else who pursued professional development like Carmen did. She wanted to open doors for everyone, and she did so unapologetically and with such flair.”
Even in her short 45 years, Carmen left behind a body of work that will influence generations of therapists, clinicians, and families.
An Enduring Impact
Though her passing came far too soon, Carmen’s legacy will continue to live on in the thousands of people she inspired, taught, and treated. Her teachings will ripple forward through the therapists she trained, the children who found healing in her curriculum, and the families who were changed by her compassion.
As friends, colleagues, and family mourn this immense loss, they also celebrate a woman who lived fully, authentically, and generously.
