Meet AIAFS' Expert Trainers

James (Jim) Robinson, Ph.D.

James Robinson has a dual career: he is a professional improviser with over 20 years of experience at the Brave New Workshop, Table Salt Productions, The Theater of Public Policy, and the Disney Cruise Line, among others. He also has been teaching psychology at St. Catherine University since 1994. His course Improvisation and Mental Health combines these interests, looking at ways the improvisational mindset creates more effective health care professionals. Jim has worked with police officers, pastors, social workers, and medical doctors using improvisation as a way to deepen communication and increase personal agility. He has a PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Southern California. His doctoral dissertation looked at professional boundary violations and their effects on clients. Jim hails from Riverside, California.