Ana Bess is a drama therapist, playwright, and harm reduction activist with extensive experience in clinical and therapeutic settings. Her work integrates drama therapy and therapeutic theatre to address complex issues such as substance use disorder, PTSD, grief, death and dying, displacement, and marginalization. She has practiced drama therapy both nationally and internationally, including work with the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine to support refugee youth.

Ana Bess specializes in designing and facilitating drama therapy programs for diverse populations, including caretakers of children with chronic illnesses, refugee and immigrant youth and adults, people experiencing homelessness, and peer recovery specialists. As the founding Executive Director of 2nd Act, she developed and implemented educational and therapeutic programs that combined drama therapy with prevention and recovery best practices, supporting thousands of participants annually. Her work has contributed to peer-reviewed publications on therapeutic theatre and substance use disorder.

Currently, Ana Bess serves as a contracted drama therapist for multiple nonprofits and state agencies, helping organizations create sustainable therapeutic programming. She is also an Adjunct Professor in the Expressive Therapies Graduate Program at Lesley University, where she teaches courses such as Treatment of Addictions, Clinical Skills and Applications, and Drama Therapy as Trauma-Informed Practice. Additionally, she serves as the Treasurer of the North American Drama Therapy Association, where she focuses on financial transparency and sustainability.