USA POETRY THERAPY PRACTITIONERS (PTP) – click for details
MARI ALSCHULER, MENTOR, PTP, OHIO, USA
I have been a poetry therapist for nearly 20 years primarily in community-based mental health and addiction work and currently in private practice. I teach poetry therapy and its applications to helping professionals and have taught workshops through Lapidus in the U.K., as an invited lecturer in France, and throughout the United States. I have been a full-time faculty member for the past three years at Youngstown State University, where I teach social work and manage the MSW (Masters in Social Work) program. I have also taught creative writing workshops for over 30 years.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Poetry Therapy Practitioner,
- CPT/CAPF, RPT
- Mentor/Supervisor with IFBPT for over 15 years
- B.A. (Hons), Semiotics;
- M.F.A. (Master of Fine Arts) in Poetry; master’s degrees in psychology and social work
- Ph.D., Leadership and Education
- LISW-S, Licensed Independent Social Worker-Supervisor, Ohio;
- Certified Ericksonian Hypnotherapist;
SPECIAL INTERESTS
- Combining mindfulness meditation training with poetry and journal therapy
- Trauma-informed care, including research with student veterans
- LGBTPQIAA community care and treatment
- Group work
- Supervision and training
CONTACT
Email: mari.alschuler@gmail.com
US: (330) 550-0363
Pathways Counseling of Poland, Ohio: (330) 921-8308
LISA MARIE BRODSKY AUTER, PTP in Training, MADISON, WISCONSIN, USA
I work as a Peer Support Specialist and Supervisor at a mental health nonprofit in Wisconsin, USA. I have written poetry since I was very young and grew up with the innate knowledge that writing offers comfort, validation, and hope. My passions organically led me to discover expressive arts and poetry therapy and I began training in earnest.
As part of my poetry therapy training, I facilitate various writing groups online and in the Madison area. My larger projects, “The I’m Okay Collective” and “Hiraethlon,” invite others to reimagine their concept of “home” and to investigate their creative and emotional identities. In poetry therapy, I focus on the intersection between peer support, poetry therapy, and “parts collaboration.”
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Poetry Therapy Practitioner in Training
- BA English/Creative Writing – Loyola University of Chicago
- MFA Poetry – University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Certified Wisconsin Peer Support Specialist
- Presenter at the 2022 Mental Health and Substance Use Recovery Conference
- Recovery Dane Supervisor, overseeing peer support specialists in a nonprofit mental health agency
- Founder of The I’m Okay Collective, an online community that reimagines and redefines mental health not by assumptions and labels, but by the meaning we assign to our emotional experiences.
- Author of poetry books, “Motherlung” and “We Nod Our Dark Heads”
- Former Wisconsin Director of The Alzheimer’s Poetry Project
- Founder of “Hiraethlon,” various creative offerings that help others find their longing and create their way home.
SPECIAL INTERESTS
- Incorporating the tenets of Internal Family Systems Therapy and “parts work” into poetry therapy.
- Poetry for Trauma Survivors
- Melding alternative practices such as sound healing, meditation, radical acceptance, intentional peer support, and others into ideas of wellness
- Using all forms of creative expression to hold space for the emotional paradoxes not embraced by traditional mental health systems
CONTACT
email: hiraethlon.offerings@gmail.com
website: www.hiraethlon.com
Instagram: @hiraethlon.offerings
MICHELLE BROWN, PTP in Training, EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, NJ 08234 , USA
I am the owner of Anger Management Pathways, a mental wellness and mindset transformation business where I facilitate Anger Management Classes for court mandated individuals. Also, I do one-on-one and group coaching along with lyrical healing therapy.
I am the Vice President of Empowerment Thru Spoken Word Poetry “A Help to Heal” nonprofit 501c(3) Foundation that provides Advocacy and Philanthropy through Cultural Arts.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Poetry Therapy Practitioner in Training
- BA Psychology – Rutgers University NJ
- Certified Anger Management Specialist I
- Certified Domestic Violence Specialist I
- Certified Life Coach
- USA Ambassador G100 Prison Reform and Reintegration
- Founder of “Lyrical Healing” poetry healing workshop
SPECIAL INTERESTS
- Group and individual poetry therapy
- Creating healing poetry for trauma survivors
- Thought transformation through poetry
- Healthy Mindset for Women with Disabilities
CONTACT
Email:info@angermanagementpathways.com
Phone: 877-345-6275
JACQUELINE DEMERI COSTELLO, PTP, NEW YORK, USA
Writing creates a portal to the wisdom within us. We can also be inspired by and feel connection to others who have found a means of creative expression through writing. Find joy and solace in the written word, whether from your own pen or another’s… Who might reveal you to yourself in greater focus? Perhaps a contemporary poet or a Pillow Book diarist from a thousand years ago… let’s begin the joyful journey!
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Poetry Therapy Practitioner
- BA English Literature, Magna Cum Laude
- Certified Yoga Teacher
- Journal to the Self Instructor
- London Montessori Centre (Diploma with Distinction)
- Author of the Mom’s Choice Gold Honoree book, Animooves: Yoga & Creativity Inspired By Animals
SPECIAL INTERESTS/EXPERTISE
- Yoga and Writing
- Pillow Book Classes: Journaling with the timeless diaries of Ancient Japan
- Women’s Creative Expression
- Intergenerational yoga and journaling
- Group or Individual Classes — Skype Sessions
CONTACT DETAILS
Email: jackiecyoga@yahoo.com
Website: www.Animooves.com
NESSA McCASEY, MENTOR, PTP, MICHIGAN, USA
Wellness of all types is of interest to me. My practice is named Wildridge Wellness Expressions because I believe in facilitating wellness in all forms of expression, from walking in the natural world to writing wherever, including while sitting on the ground or in a comfortable chair. I facilitate writing groups, and I also work with individuals and couples, guiding them through creative blocks/difficult times. I work in person or online or via the phone. I have received awards from the National Association for Poetry Therapy (one for Distinguished Service and one for Outstanding Achievement) and scholarships from BridgeXngs Poetry Center, in New York, NY.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Poetry Therapy Practitioner
- Certified Poetry Therapist
- Mentor for iaPOETRY
- BA, English Literature (University of Michigan)
SPECIAL INTERESTS
- Disability Issues (advocacy and writing groups)
- Ekphrastic Writing
- Found Poetry
- Trauma/Grief
- Women’s Issues
CONTACT
Email: poetnessa@gmail.com
Website: http://poetmccasey.blogspot.com
LAURIE McMILLAN, PTP, PENNSYLVANIA, USA
SPECIAL INTERESTS
- Founder of the Pittsburgh Memoir Project, Squirrel Hill Writers’ Studio.
- creating communities of writers sharing/writing stories and growing as a community.
- Individual and group poetry therapy.
- Teaching writing (all genres) from the self outward with attention to process.
- Online poetry therapy with caregivers and those unable to meet in person.
CONTACT
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
Poetry Therapist, RN, M.Ed
321 S. Graham St.
412-337-4976
Website: www.yourwritepath.com
DANA MICHIE, MENTOR, PTP, CONNECTICUT, USA
My integrative approach to healing focuses on empowering you, my client. I believe the journey to wellness resides within one’s self, and my goal is to help you identify the changes you want to make. I work to help you develop tools and skills in order to achieve those changes. Through the creative and psychotherapeutic processes for personal growth, self-discovery, and empowerment, I will guide you along the path of healing.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Poetry Therapy Practitioner
- Mentor for iaPOETRY
- Licensed Psychotherapist
- BA English University of California at Berkeley
- MS Education, University of Bridgeport, Connecticut
- MS Marriage & Family Therapy, Fairfield University, Connecticut
- RPT (Registered Poetry Therapist), National Federation for Biblio/Poetry Therapy
- Certified Archetypal Counselor, CMED
- Transcendental Meditation Instructor
SPECIAL INTERESTS
- Poetry & Eating Disorders
- Poetry & Spirituality
- Spiritual Direction
CONTACT
TEL: 203.544.8122
MOB: 203.648.0066 (cell or text)
Skype: danamichietherapist
Email: Danamichie7@aol.com
CATHLEEN PEREZ, PTP, NORTHERN NEW JERSEY, USA
Writing and poetry have been passions of mine since I began college. Being a part of a rich poetry therapy community like ia POETRY is a true gift. I’ve facilitated poetry groups with college professionals and young children. I currently run a poetry and journaling blog titled ‘Poetic Threading’.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Poetry Therapy Practitioner
- BA in Psychology/Women’s Studies minor
- M.S.Ed in Early Childhood Education
SPECIAL EXPERTISE/INTERESTS
- Writing in short poetic form (haiku, cinquain)
- Journaling
- Poetry in Reflection
CONTACT DETAILS/LINKS
email: perez.cathleen@gmail.com
Poetic Threading:
http://poeticthreading.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/poeticthreading
http://forms.aweber.com/form/24/2012457824.htm
PATTI RUSSO, PTP, MASSACHUSETTS, USA
I enjoy facilitating developmental poetry therapy groups with various ages in a number of settings including Council on Aging/Senior Center facilities, nursing homes and in public school settings. My passion, however, is for intergenerational (IG) poetry groups. In such groups, I use poetry therapy practices and techniques to intentionally connect “bookend” generations: adults age 60 and older and young people under the age of 23. I have been conducting IG poetry groups for more than ten years in the greater Boston area.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Poetry Therapy Practitioner
- CPT (Certified Poetry Therapist), National Federation for Biblio/Poetry Therapy
- BS Psychology (cum laude), Boston College
- MS Experimental Psychology, Tufts University
SPECIAL INTERESTS
- Intergenerational Poetry
- Poetry with Older Adults
- Poetry for Homeschooled students
CONTACT
Email: pattirusso317@gmail.com
Website: www.betweenthelinespoetry.com
LILA WEISBERGER, MASTER MENTOR, NEW YORK, USA
I am founder of the International Academy for Poetry Therapy (iaPOETRY).
Previous to this I was a board member of the National Association for Poetry Therapy, followed by Certification Chair and then President, and received three separate awards from them. I was a credentialed Registered Poetry Therapist and a Master Mentor.
I am also founder of the thriving BridgeXngs Poetry Center. I have trained numerous Poetry Therapy Practitioners, and worked with scores of professionals interested in poetry therapy. I continue to inspire and support those in training to become Poetry Therapy Practitioners and Mentors for iaPOETRY, and run regular peer groups and poetry therapy intensives called Actionweek . I co-edited “The Healing Fountain: Poetry Therapy for Life Stages.” which is required reading for all trainees.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- iaPOETRY Master mentor
- iaPOETRY PTP
- NYS Certfied creative Arts Therapist
- NYS Educator and School Psychologist
- NYS Certified Drug and Alcohol Counsellor
- Counsellor (Emeritus)
SPECIAL INTERESTS
My scope of interest, knowledge and ability is broad. Intuitive work and creativity are two characteristics that define me. “I believe in possibilities”.
CONTACT DETAILS
Email: bridgexngs@aol.com.
Website: www.bridgecrossings.org
Email: info@iapoetry.org