Monia Presta was born in Italy in 1977 and now lives in Catalonia. She is a psychologist, actress and art therapist and pioneered the introduction of dramatherapy in Spain. She is head of postgraduate dramatherapy studies at the Instituto Superior de Estudios Psicológicos, Barcelona, combining her profession with her love of theatre. She leads seminars in Spain and Italy and is a regular contributor to the RNE radio programme Cel obert in addition to other organs of the media. She also specialises in sex and relationship therapy.

Applaud Yourself is the result of uniting the arts with psychology in order to help people overcome obstacles in a way that is at once profound but fun.