9:00-9:15 am Welcome & Overview – Laura Santner, LCSW, PTR-CM, CCATP, NAPT President 

9:15-10:00 am Keynote Speaker – Deborah Eve Grayson, Ph.D., LMHC, PTR    

Deborah Eve Grayson, PhD, LMHC, PTR, is a Registered Poetry Therapist and Creative Arts Specialist who has been in private practice for over 40 years. A Clinical Sexologist who specializes in working with gender creative youth and their families, and all areas of sexual function, dysfunction, and trauma, she is also a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and an adjunct professor at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida, where she teaches a broad range of topics in the Arts and Sciences Department for the past 18 years. An award- winning author and photographer, Dr. Grayson firmly believes in the healing power of the arts as “sanity supplies of the soul” and incorporates them daily in her work with clients and students.

10:30-12:00 Noon Workshop Series A

A-1.  Alchemy: Poetry's Power to  – Jon Sayers

Carl Jung believed the ancient art of alchemy was perhaps the ultimate expression of the nature of the collective unconscious and the richest, most complete guide to the workings of the human soul. In this deep dive into the links between alchemy and biblio/poetry therapy led by Jon Sayers, we will look at the three stages of the alchemical process: nigredo (blackening), albedo (whitening) and rubedo (reddening) and explore how poems we know and use in our work - by Bishop, Larkin, Olds, and others - reflect this sequence, acting as unconscious carriers of alchemical ideas. We will learn to identify alchemical patterns through seeking and linking images of fire, earth, bathing, water, and dawn. I hope participants will leave the workshop with a basic knowledge of alchemy and the way its potential applications to group facilitation, curriculum design and session structure can transform our work into pure gold.  (70% Experiential, 30% Didactic) Spirituality.

Jon Sayers is a poet, transformative life coach and journal facilitator based in London. His poems have been published in leading UK magazines, he has served as chair and co-editor of the leading UK poetry magazine, Magma, vice chair of The Poetry Society, and as a trustee of the Winchester Poetry Festival, for whom he has interviewed poets including Christopher Reid, Jo Shapcott, Annie Freud and Paul Muldoon. His play, A World Full of Weeping, a supernatural thriller whose plot revolves around a poem by WB Yeats, was twice broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and was a Radio Times Pick of the Week.

As a journal facilitator, using a biblio/poetry therapy model, Jon has worked with a variety of populations, from older teens transitioning out of the care system, older women care givers and church communities to newly qualified life coaches, members of the British Guild of Travel Writers, and inmates of His Majesty's Pentonville prison. Jon draws on a range of psychological models in his work, with a particular interest in the ideas of Carl Jung. He is a contributor to Writing for Wellbeing: Theory, Research, and Practice (Routledge 2023), teaches for TWI, and is UK representative for NAPT.

A2. Almonds, Pistachios, and Cheese: Gratitude and a Dash of Bitters – Sherry Reiter, Ph.D., LCSW, Certified Mentor & Elizabeth Rose, LICSW, MFA

We are all searching to feel we have done and been enough. Gratitude is the act of savoring the moments when we feel ourselves and the world around us is complete. When we feel grateful, not only do we smile but our organs smile along. In this workshop you will experience the healthful sensations of gratitude through poetry. And resentment, never to be left out, will also be explored with poems that illuminate a path forward in loss, grief, and anger. In this workshop, you will learn the biology behind a grateful life even in the face of inevitable losses. You will participate in a gratitude group and take away a portfolio of poems. You will leave with the skills to set up your own gratitude practice/group. We will use poetry, meditation, and rituals to build our gratitude banks.  (75% Experiential/25% Didactic) Clinical/Health Care Setting(1.5 peer hours).

Sherry Reiter, Ph.D., LCSW, CM is a poet, clinical social worker, and creative arts therapist. She is Director of The Creative “Righting” Center, mentoring poetry therapists internationally. Dr. Reiter is an Associate Professor of Speech and Psychology at Touro College and teaches Poetry and Drama Therapy at Hofstra University. In 2010, she was voted Teacher of the Year for Touro College & University. She is the creator of Poets-Behind-Bars. Dr. Reiter is the co-author of Writing Away the Demons: Stories of Creative Coping Through Transformative Writing and Twice Chai: A Jewish Road to Recovery. Dr. Reiter is past President of The National Association for Poetry Therapy and The International Federation for Biblio/Poetry Therapy and currently serves as Education Chair of NAPT. https://www.thecreativerightingcenter.com/

Elizabeth Rose’s poetry has been published in The New Verse News, Verdad, and BarBar. Her essays have appeared in The Boston Globe, The New Mexico Review, the Worcester Journal, Anti-Heroin Chic, and Escape, a collection of memoirs. She authored a chapter in the anthology Today's Wonder Women: Everyday Superheroes Who Are Changing the World, by Asha Dahya. Her social justice journalism has appeared in Revue Magazine, Truthout, MS Magazine,, and GirltalkHQ. She worked in advocacy and fundraising for seventeen years where she developed a school in Guatemala and founded the Rubbish to Runway event, now in its 14th year. She holds an MFA from Lesley University. She is a psychotherapist in private practice in Massachusetts where she can be reached at elizabeth@bloomingrosetherapy.com

A3.  Re)visions: Editing as Therapeutic Intervention – Jenna Robinson, MA, LMFT, PTR & Ashley S. Schaaf, MA, APCC

This workshop led by Jenna Robinson & Ashley S. Schaaf encourages participants to reconsider the dreaded rewrite. (Re)vision provides us with a metaphor for life. How often do you have the perfect words in the moment? How much of your story is waiting for a new breath of meaning from a second (or third) draft? Using (re)vision therapeutically empowers participants to view their stories as worthy of careful attention, which can support writers in accessing language that comes nearer to their lived experiences. The ability to put language to one’s stories is a necessity in trauma recovery. Participants will be invited to engage in several (re)vision-based experiential exercises. The session will include a didactic presentation, which will offer specific therapeutic applications of (re)vision processes. We will also explore the power of compassionate witnessing in the (re)vision process and review how to nurture skills for collaborative (re)vision in group settings. (80% Experiential/20% Didactic) Clinical /Health Care Setting (1.5 peer hours).

Jenna Robinson (she/her), MA, LMFT, PTR is a queer biracial expressive arts therapist and performance poet located in the Bay Area. Jenna is a steadfast advocate for empowering people at the margins to author their stories of resistance and resilience using written and oral traditions. She has been performing and teaching spoken word workshops to youth and adults since 2011. She is a two-time grand slam champion of Hawaii Slam and placed second in the nation at the 2015 National Poetry Slam in Oakland, CA. She received her M.A. in Expressive Arts Therapy from the California Institute for Integral Studies (CIIS), where she developed an approach melding narrative therapy, expressive arts, and spoken word poetry. Jenna has piloted and facilitated trauma-informed writing workshops with individuals, youth, and families throughout the Bay Area and Hawai'i, including survivors of intimate partner violence and system engaged youth. She currently runs an intergenerational therapeutic writing program for youth, families, and intergenerational community groups through Bay Area Creative. She is a professor in the Expressive Arts Therapy department at CIIS and at the Wright Institute. empowerednarrativestherapy.com

Ashley Schaaf (she/her), MA, APCC is a poet and expressive arts (EXA) therapist based in San Francisco, CA. She is also an adjunct instructor in the Master’s in Counseling Psychology program at the California Institute of Integral Studies. She is currently training to become a Certified Poetry Therapist under the supervision/mentorship of Dr. Barbara Bethea. As a therapist, she is influenced by EXA, psychodynamic, Buddhist, and liberation psychologies. Ashley currently provides intensive case management and psychotherapy services to folks with severe mental illnesses, substance use challenges, and current or historic involvement with the criminal legal system. Passionate about prison abolition and dedicated to amplifying the voices of those who have historically been silenced, Ashley has conducted poetry workshops in Michigan correctional facilities to share the power of language and its potential to act as a catalyst for connection, increased understanding, empathy, and awareness of the magic of living.

A4. Engaging with Fiction & Non-Fiction Stories for Growth & Healing – Geri Giebel Chavis, PhD, CPT, LP, CM

Participants in this experiential workshop led by Dr. Geri Chavis will have the opportunity to increase their awareness of therapeutic features of short fiction and nonfiction (memoir) stories that vary in length, in style, and in the themes they reflect. As workshop participants personally engage with two to three stories through discussion as well as various writing prompts, they will gain knowledge of ways to enhance their biblio/poetry therapy practice in clinical, educational, and other community settings. This workshop will cover ways to introduce stories into therapeutic/wellness settings; as well as ways to encourage personalized responses to selected stories, that increase awareness of self and one’s relationships, foster a sense of agency, and enhance the capacity for resilience. Time will also be set aside for participants' questions and sharing of information regarding story resources. (90% Experiential,10% Didactic) Clinical/Health Care & Educational Setting(1.5 peer hours).

Geri Giebel Chavis, Ph.D., past NAPT president, past board member and winner of NAPT’s Pioneer and Lifetime Achievement Awards, is a certified poetry therapist, certified mentor of the International Federation for Biblio/Poetry Therapy, a licensed psychologist, and literature professor emerita at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota. Geri has published numerous articles, reviews and three books related to biblio/poetry therapy, two of which are required texts for individuals pursuing biblio/poetry certification: Poetry and Story Therapy: The Healing Power of Creative Expression and The Healing Fountain: Poetry Therapy for Life’s Journey, co-edited with Lila Weisberger. She has also edited a short story anthology entitled Family: Stories from the Interior and has developed independent study courses for trainees in Poetry Genre; Literature of Other Genres (with thematic focus on Marriage and Family Relationships); and Creative Writing. For many years, she has created and taught a broad selection of literature and interdisciplinary courses and presented a wide variety of workshops within the U.S., the Republic of Ireland, and the UK.

A5.   Walking the High Desert: Poetry to Celebrate (and Help Save) Nature – Carol Barrett, Ph.D.

Dr. Carol Barrett will discuss multiple functions of nature poetry, and review a variety of anthologies of nature poetry based on diverse cultural groups. A reading of poetry from the Pacific Northwest will be offered, derived primarily from the high desert region of central Oregon. These poems aim to both celebrate the beauty of nature, and add to the voices of concern about climate change. Participants will be encouraged to envision ways of exploring nature in their own environs through poetic means, whether in urban or rural settings. Writing prompts will be suggested to enable the generation of a new poem draft, with time set aside for this creative engagement. There will be opportunity to read the new writing to the group, if desired, with commentary by the presenter. Suggestions for broadening the potential impact of the poem will be shared. (50% Experiential, 50% Didactic) Social Justice.

Carol Barrett’s familiarity with nature is informed by having lived in nine states of the US and in England. While she grew up in southwest Washington, she currently lives in the high desert of central Oregon. Carol has earned doctorates in both Clinical Psychology and Creative Writing, and has taught poetry to students ranging from kindergarten through doctoral studies. She has published three volumes of poetry, most recently Reading Wind, and one of creative nonfiction, Pansies. Her full-length collection Calling in the Bones won the Snyder Prize from Ashland Poetry Press. Carol has been honored to receive a Poetry Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. Her poems appear in such diverse journals as JAMA, Poetry International, Poetry Northwest, Nimrod, Poet Lore, and The Women’s Review of Books, as well as in over fifty anthologies. She has also published in the fields of psychology, women’s studies, gerontology, religious studies, dance and art therapy, and education, and has previously presented workshops for NAPT. She is currently coaching creative dissertation students at Antioch University and at Saybrook University.

12:00-1:00 pm Luncheon 

1:00-1:45 pm Certification & Awards Event – International Federation for Biblio/Poetry Therapy

All are invited to attend this ceremony of recognition and presentation of Credentials to PTRs, CPTs or CAPFs who have successfully completed their training, and Endorsements of those who have completed Certification as Journal Facilitators or Therapists through the Center for Journal Therapy. Meet current mentor/supervisors and current trainees and congratulate your peers.

2:00-2:45 pm IFPBF Credentialing Information Workshop: Your Life Could Be Poetry

Anjana Deshpande, LCSW, CPT, CJT, IFBPT President and Nancy Scherlong, LCSW, PTR, CJT, M/S, past IFBPT President

Is the idea of poetry therapy training a thread that is “gently, / invisibly, silently / pulling” at you? If so, join this open discussion of credentialing opportunities in biblio/poetry therapy. Training in biblio/poetry therapy provides more than letters after your name; IFBPT approved training will inspire you, enhance skills, and build confidence while ensuring best practices for your profession. Come away knowing what to expect and how to take your next step! https://ifbpt.org/

2:00-2:45 pm  Regional Representative Meet & Greet

Beth Couture (she/they), Ph.D., LSW, NAPT Membership Chair and Jenna Robinson, LMFT, PTR, NAPT Inclusion, Equity and Social Justice Committee Chair

3:00-4:30 pm Workshop Series B

B1.  To Save a Life  – Michael Namkung, M.Ed., MFA

​​Michael Namkung performs "To Save Your Life," a one-man show of poetry and storytelling inspired by his work

with teens in recovery that culminates in a strenuous and dramatic performance of physical art-making called a

Wall Sit Drawing. The show works with themes of physical and emotional pain, loneliness, despair, love and

courage and navigates a path through art and poetry to demonstrate how creative self-expression has the power to

heal and to reveal the most resilient parts of ourselves. As an experiential exercise, Michael

will guide you through making your own Wall Sit Drawing followed by personal writing time, facilitated discussion

and integration. “I was absolutely broken open and healed.” - G. Hunter “Michael's poetry

held up a mirror to my own pain and showed how to hack a path through it to kindness, empathy, and love.” - A.

KindleFrye “It felt like a good therapy session.” - G. Seidler (50% Experiential/50% Didactic) Clinical/ Health Care, Educational Setting, Spirituality, Social Justice.

Michael Namkung is a performing artist, poet, writer, meditation teacher, and multiple world champion athlete. He has received awards from the San Francisco Arts Commission, The Center for Cultural Innovation, the Tanne Foundation, and the James Rosenquist Artist Residency. He is best known for 'Drawing Gym', a hybrid of art and extreme sports and for his one-man shows of poetry and storytelling, 'Seeing The Invisible' and 'Good Pain: The Art of Being Hurt'. He has exhibited and performed his work in galleries, museums, universities, and public spaces worldwide, including SFMOMA, Museu de Arte Contemporaneo Niteroi (Brazil), The Asian Art Museum San Francisco, Stanford University, Locust Projects, The Drawing Center New York, and Grace Cathedral San Francisco. He holds a Master of Education degree from the University of California Santa Barbara and a Master of Fine Arts degree from San Francisco State University. He has served as Assistant Professor of Art at Florida International University, and as Visiting Assistant Professor at Lewis and Clark College. Michael lives in Portland, Oregon with his two children.

 For more on Michael & his work: https://www.michaelnamkung.com/about

Read Michael's newest writing at michaelnamkung.substack.com

For talks and meditations, follow Michael on Insight Timer. 

B2.  Finding Peace Within: Exploring Ways to Cope With Worry and Stress – Barbara Kreisberg, MS, CPT

This workshop, led by Barbara Kreisberg, MS, CPT, will provide an opportunity to explore various writing techniques, poetry prompts and humor to help replenish, rejuvenate and re-energize the self. We will encourage the use of the creative process to find a variety of ways to cope with stress and worry and how these techniques can lead to healing, personal growth, and self-reflection as well as improved mental and physical health. (75% Experiential/25% Didactic) Clinical/Heath Care Setting (1.5 peer hours).

Barbara Kreisberg, MS, CPT has served on the NAPT Board as Vice President and Conference Chair.  She is a contributing author of The Healing Fountain. She has worked for over 25 years in both Boston and Miami with a variety of inpatient and outpatient populations in the area of mental health using reflective writing and poetry therapy to promote personal growth and wellness. She has presented workshops at NAPT conferences, local universities, hospitals, cancer support  groups and other community settings on the healing power of writing reflectively using poetry therapy and journal writing techniques. She currently facilitates ongoing writing groups her community in Miami, FL. In 2014 she received the Outstanding Service Award. In 2019 she received an award In Appreciation of 5 Years as NAPT Vice President and Conference Chair. In 2022, she received the Luminary Award for Lifetime Achievement.

B3. Poetry Therapy and the Tarot: Bridging Ancient Symbols with Modern Paths to Healing, Resilience, and Change – Cynthia Holloway Kelvin, Psy.D., RDT/BCT, CPT

This workshop, led by Cynthia Holloway Kelvin, Psy.D., RDT/BCT, CPT, will explore how to use tarot cards along with poetry therapy in an increasingly technological and ever-changing world. Clients are requesting more psycho-spiritual tools in the therapeutic space calling practitioners to learn and utilize alternative techniques. Often misunderstood as strictly a predictive tool, tarot can instead serve as a mirror, reflecting back the complexities of clients' lives, past, present, and future. In this workshop, participants will discover how the imagery and metaphor of the tarot (and oracle cards) can be paired with the power of poetry therapy to support self-reflection, intuition, and behavioral change. Through guided exercises, participants will learn creative ways to engage with the tarot, using poetry as a bridge to access the subconscious and higher conscious. Whether you're new to tarot or experienced, this workshop will build confidence in integrating this magical pairing into your practice, offering an ancient tool for modern day life. (75% Experiential/25% Didactic) Spirituality (1.5 peer hours).

Cynthia Holloway Kelvin, Psy.D., RDT/BCT, CPT, is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in drama therapy, poetry therapy, and creative performance facilitation. With a foundation in acting and a passion for the power of the expressive arts, Cynthia supports individuals in utilizing creativity as a tool for self-discovery, personal growth, and meaningful change. In her private practice, she integrates expressive arts to help clients navigate challenges and cultivate their strengths. Beyond therapy, Cynthia designs and leads workshops that inspire confidence, creativity, and a deeper connection to self, community and the planet. Her work reflects a commitment to supporting personal evolution while championing creativity as a catalyst for positive social and planetary change.

B4.  Three Poems, Three Perspectives – Judith E Camann, M.Ed., MFA, LMCA, NBCT, CDP

Are you five years old or 95? With no experience in either the written or visual arts,  you will leave this workshop, led by Judith E Camann, M.Ed., MFA, LMCA, NBCT, CDP, with three poems – three perspectives along with the techniques to use these practices in both the educational and therapeutic setting. The first poem juxtaposes your photography with poetry as you learn to explore then express your thoughts and feelings from a bug’s eye view. Your second poem employs metaphor to convey emotions when happy, sad, mad just aren’t enough. Then using crayons and colored pencils you will illustrate your writing. The third poem, an I Am From poem will apply anaphora, synesthesia, and radical juxtaposition to create personal histories from a new perspective. You will also learn how these poems can be easily morphed to meet most all populations and needs. (75% Experiential/25% Didactic) Clinical/ Health Care & Educational Setting.

Judith Camann, M.Ed. MFA brings a diverse skill set as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate, Editorial Board Member Journal of Poetry Therapy, National Board Certified Teacher in Exceptional Needs Birth - 21, Certified Dementia Practitioner, and published poet. Her journey has extended from administering inclusive programs for young children, overseeing federally funded initiatives in ethnically diverse housing projects, and counseling incarcerated adults. Judith’s educational expertise includes dyslexia and language disorders, social emotional challenges and Intellectual Disabilities. Additionally, she has contributed to the education departments at the University of Washington and Seattle Pacific University, developed and taught WA ST academic childcare courses for care providers and CE’s for K-12 teachers through the Professional Education Standards Board specializing on how to engage and deescalate students with social, emotional and behavioral challenges. Judith is a published poet with awards and grants from the WA ST Arts Commission. Her poetry has been featured at prestigious venues like the Kurt Vonnegut Museum in Indiana and the San Diego Library. As a member of Seattle's Drunken Owl Theater, she regularly engages in literary readings. In the Spill ,her poetry chap book, is due out in 2024 (dancing girl press Chicago).

B5. "Arrive where we started/ And know the place for the first time": Alternative Strategies for Exploring Labyrinths – Rob Merritt, Ph.D.

Labyrinths have been around for more than 5000 years. Several past NAPT workshops have visited labyrinths. There are at least fifteen labyrinths in Portland. How can we access some of the benefits of walking the path of a labyrinth for those who have limited time, limited access to labyrinths or limited mobility? Under the direction of Rob Merritt, Ph.D., we will consider the finger labyrinth as a way around these limitations. Also, 1. How might counselors use finger labyrinths in their practice? 2. How might poets and writers jumpstart their creative process via the various steps in the labyrinth journey (Remember, Release, Receive, Return, for example)? 3. How might all of us, in our workspaces or creative spaces, use the labyrinth experience for “Innovation, Creativity, and Hope in an Ever-Changing World” via stress reduction, relaxation, encountering new insights about self and the spiritual world, and finding what T.S. Eliot called “The still point of the turning world.” (70% Experiential/30% Didactic) Educational Setting.

Rob Merritt, Ph.D. is Professor Emeritus and Distinguished Professor of Creative Writing at Bluefield University. His is a former Vice-President for conferences for NAPT. Born in North Carolina, he lives in the mountains of West Virginia. He is the author of "Early Music and the Aesthetics of Ezra Pound" and the poetry collections "Sense of Direction," "View from Blue-Jade Mountain," "The Language of Longing," and "Landscape Architects." He has recently published poems in "moonShine," "North American Review," "Red Clay Review," "Psaltery & Lyre," and "The James Dickey Review." He is interested in finding a personal mythology, intersections between Chinese and Appalachian poetry and poetry therapy methodologies in higher education. He has taught poetry in Nanjing, China. He is one of the leaders of the Appalachian Interfaith Alliance, a group that sponsors informational sessions among members of different faiths in the area and fosters conversation especially between the Muslim and Christian communities. He believes in poetry that points the way out of ego via rituals (time-tested) and ceremonies (new). “Let the Mystery Be.”

4:30-6:00 pm Mentor/Supervisor Round Table Discussion

6:00-7:45 pm Dinner – Hotel Restaurant or Dinner on your own

8:00-9:30 pm Open Mic Poetry Sign-Up & Reading  Emceed by Jenna Robinson, MA, LMFT, PTR  

We welcome any poems, short stories, songs and any other spoken word entries of no more than 2 minutes total length to read at this open poetry reading. Here is your chance to share your own writing and creativity with our group! 

Saturday, April 5th   See Conference Schedule 

Conference Workshops & Events

7:00-8:00 am Morning Triple Workshop: Experience a Poetry Therapy Group (Second Session – 2 Groups)

For the newcomer or dedicated trainee, experience poetry therapy in action along with Nancy Scherlong, LCSW, PTR, CJT, M/S, & Ingrid Tegnér, MSW, CAPF, CM. Join us each day for this interactive and didactic workshop that spans over three days (Fri, Sat and Sun). Experience the beginning, middle and end of a real poetry peer group. Integrate your conference experience, meet new colleagues, and write new material in a supportive community. Participants will be divided into two small groups. You must be available to attend all three days. (75% Experiential, 25% Didactic)  (4.5 peer hours).

7:30-8:30 am Registration 

6:30-8:45 am Breakfast 

9:00-10:30 am Workshop Series C

C1.  Planting Seeds of Social Justice: Journey through Nature Centering the Reflection Write – Robin D. Stone, LMHC & Jeanie Low, LCSW-S

Roll up your sleeves, ground in, and get your hands dirty. This interactive workshop, led by Robin Stone, LMHC and Jeanie Low, LCSW-S, blends the inspiring elements of nature with the power of reflective writing, action methods, and community care. Through guided exercises, creative prompts, and discussions, “Gardeners” are invited to explore the interconnectedness of nature, personal introspection, and their visions of social justice. The five principles of social justice – access to resources, equity, participation, diversity, and human rights – will serve as metaphorical seeds. Through seed selection, tilling of soil, planting, and ritual, participants will hone in on their embodied experience of writing, and then call in the essence of their reflection writes off the page and into the room. “Gardeners” will leave with strategies for facilitating transformative sessions, a collection of poems reflecting diverse voices and perspectives, a fresh look at the power of the reflection write, and a co-created poem using nature as a catalyst for growth.(70% Experiential/30% Didactic) Social Justice.

Robin D. Stone, LMHC, is founder and clinical director of Muse & Grace, a psychotherapy practice based in Midtown Manhattan. Her practice is dedicated to integrating the arts to foster recovery, resilience, and personal growth, with a focus on serving people of color. Stone employs Biblio-poetry Therapy to help clients gain insight into themselves and explore how cultural factors shape their perspectives and experiences. She works with individuals, couples, families, and groups, and supervises counselors in training. Her approach often combines narrative techniques with other treatment methods such as EMDR specifically to address racial trauma. Stone, a seasoned journalist and author, is pursuing certification in Biblio-poetry Therapy. https://www.robinstone.com

Jeanie Low, LCSW-S, is a licensed clinical social worker and supervisor. She is a service-oriented counselor who provides therapeutic assistance for individuals, families, and groups in a compassionate and knowledgeable environment. She is passionate about working with neurodivergent clients, who find themselves wanting to explore their personal narratives and find their voice. Her therapeutic approach of Compassionate Care, Creative Change, and Innovative Options is tailored toward each client. She is pursuing her certification in Biblio-poetry Therapy and Psychodrama, and continues to incorporate these experiential techniques into her clinical practice. http://icohouston.com/

C2.   Hitting Refresh through Writing and Action – Embracing Our Parts with Hope and Sustainability after Role Fatigue or Burnout – Nancy Scherlong, LCSW, CHHC, SEP, PTR/CJT-CM

Role fatigue is not just a workplace or pandemic phenomenon. Nearly everyone has felt out of balance and without enough time or energy for one of their preferred or necessary domains of life. Taking inventory of our various social, somatic and psychological roles can help us to determine ways to refresh, rejuvenate or revise various parts of ourselves in order to increase life satisfaction and to boost our overall wellness. Through Pennebaker’s evidence-based expressive writing techniques, restorative meditation and somatic practices, wellness-focused journal prompts and an array of poems and literary devices such as improvisational personification and dialogue, workshop participants will have an opportunity to define, explore and begin to repair boundary ruptures that may have occurred or worsened these past few years. This workshop, led by Nancy Scherlong, LCSW, CHHC, SEP, PTR/CJT-CM, is open to clinicians and educators alike, no prior experience with psychodrama or IFS is needed and sharing one’s writing is always optional. (75% Experiential/25% Didactic) Clinical/Heath Care Setting (1.5 peer hours).

Nancy S. Scherlong, LCSW, CHHC, SEP, PTR/CJT-CM, is a licensed clinical social worker in the states of CT and NY, trauma-informed wellness coach and mindfulness mentor, registered poetry and journal therapist and certified mentor for both methods. She is the immediate past president of the International Federation for Biblio/Poetry Therapy, has been part of the NAPT community for almost 35 years and is a life-long learner, writer and lover of words! Nancy heads a multi-modal creative arts coaching and psychotherapy practice where she specializes in trauma and nervous system regulation as well as maintains active training cohorts in both journal and poetry therapy. She also consults with a variety of colleges, non-profit organizations and corporations on how to integrate writing and wellness into their culture and as a care support tool for staff. Nancy is on the core faculty of the Therapeutic Writing Institute (TWI), a global on-line learning platform for journal/poetry facilitators and therapists, as well as serves as lead faculty for Adelphi University's postgraduate certificate program in the Applied Expressive Arts in Counseling as well as on the faculty of Columbia University and Kint Institute. https://www.wellnessmetaphors.com

C3.   Creating the “Expert Companion” through Poetry and Writing – Moving Towards Post Traumatic Growth –   Anjana Deshpande, LCSW, CPT, CJT

This workshop, led by Anjana Deshpande, focuses on the use of Writing and Poetry to move towards Post Traumatic Growth. Based on the work of Kathleen Adams and Deborah Ross, this workshop explores how writing aligns with the concept of “Expert Companion” and can be used to create internal safety in trauma survivors. Grounded in theory and experiential in nature, will provide opportunity to experience at least two writing exercises. Participants will be able to look at writing through the lens of Post Traumatic Growth and will be able to choose (or create) writing activities that best align with this purpose. This workshop will also use exercises from the Pongo Poetry Method. (75% Experiential/25% Didactic) Clinical/Health Care Setting, Social Justice (1.5 peer hours).

Anjana Deshpande is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has used Therapeutic Writing and Poetry in her clinical work for 15 years. She has been a Journal to the Self Instructor since 2001 and is Faculty on The Therapeutic Writing Institute. Anjana has also created the curriculum for and taught “Intro to Poetry Therapy” at Drexel University. At present, she works with Military Combat Veterans in the capacity of Readjustment Counselor and uses therapeutic writing to assist veterans to manage trauma. A published author, Anjana is the creator of the “Expert Companion Method” of writing that helps trauma survivors move towards Post Traumatic Growth. She has served on the board of the International Federation for Biblio/Poetry Therapy since June 2016 and is a Certified Mentor for those who wish to train in Poetry Therapy . 

C4. Mindfulness Poems and Practices to Mediate the Chaos and Conflict in Our Troubled Times – Deborah Eve Grayson, Ph.D., LMHC, PTR

Poetry therapists, students and poetry enthusiasts know through experience and passion that certain poems are medicinal elixirs that allow great healing to happen on multiple levels. Poems of presence are those that invite us to land and luxuriate in the present moment and appreciate the grace of stillness. As Laura Foley has stated so beautifully in her poem, ("What Stillness,") ..."What sunlight does to water, stillness does to us." Poems such as these have the ability to soothe deep, cultural wounds, crack open the hardened carcass of hate and heal a war-torn world. In this experiential and didactic workshop, participants will be exposed to a variety of mindfulness poems, prompts and practices. We will also use a Buddah Board (R) as a group process exercise to experience the gifts of impermanence, focus on the present and appreciate the delicate and necessary art of letting go. (75% Experiential/25% Didactic) Clinical/Health Care Setting.

Deborah Eve Grayson, PhD, LMHC, PTR, is a Registered Poetry Therapist and Creative Arts Specialist who has been in private practice for over 40 years. A Clinical Sexologist who specializes in working with gender creative youth and their families, and all areas of sexual function, dysfunction, and trauma, she is also a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and an adjunct professor at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida, where she teaches a broad range of topics in the Arts and Sciences Department for the past 18 years. An award- winning author and photographer, Dr. Grayson firmly believes in the healing power of the arts as “sanity supplies of the soul” and incorporates them daily in her work with clients and students.

C5. Embodied Poetics: Exploring the Intersection of Nature, Self, and Healing – Paul White, Ph.D., LMFT

This experiential workshop, led by Paul White, Ph.D., LMFT, offers poetry therapists an immersive exploration of somatic poetry, blending body awareness with creative expression. Participants will engage in guided imagery, body scanning, and movement exercises rooted in the natural world, fostering a deeper connection between mind, body, and environment. Through these practices, they will unlock personal insights and emotional healing, leading to the creation of poetry that reflects their embodied experiences. The workshop emphasizes the therapeutic potential of integrating somatic awareness into the creative process. Participants will explore how physical sensations and movements can inspire poetic expression, offering new avenues for emotional processing and self-discovery. The session will provide practical strategies for incorporating somatic poetry into therapeutic settings, empowering clinicians to help clients access deeper levels of self-awareness and transformation. (80% Experiential/20% Didactic) Clinical/Heath Care Setting.

Dr. Paul White is a distinguished somatic psychotherapist, poet, and recognized leader in holistic mental health. With over a decade of experience, Dr. White has dedicated his career to the integration of mind, body, and creative expression in therapy. As a licensed somatic psychotherapist, he specializes in combining somatic therapy, Qigong, and clinical hypnosis to facilitate transformative healing experiences. His approach empowers individuals to connect with their inner wisdom, navigate trauma, and cultivate self-awareness. Dr. White holds a Ph.D. in Mind-Body Medicine and Integrative Mental Health, reflecting his deep passion for psychology, poetry, and somatic practices. He has presented at both community-based and clinical workshops, sharing his insights on the profound healing potential of the mind-body connection and the transformative power of poetry. In his engaging and experiential workshops, Dr. White invites participants to explore the intersection of movement, nature, and writing as pathways to profound healing and personal growth. His unique approach, "Embodied Poetics," emphasizes the therapeutic integration of somatic awareness, creative expression, and holistic well-being. Dr. White's sessions are designed to inspire self-expression, foster emotional resilience, and promote holistic health through the healing practices of mind-body medicine and poetry therapy. Visit https://www.gennexttherapy.com/ to learn more.

10:40-10:55 am Honorary Awards Presentation 

11:00-12:00 am Keynote Poet – Kim Stafford

Kim Stafford, founding director of the Northwest Writing Institute at Lewis & Clark College, teaches and travels to raise the human spirit. He is the author of a dozen books of poetry and prose, including The Muses Among Us: Eloquent Listening and Other Pleasures of the Writer’s Craft and 100 Tricks Every Boy Can Do: How My Brother Disappeared. He has written about his poet father in Early Morning: Remembering My Father, William Stafford, and about the Pacific Northwest in his book Having Everything Right: Essays of Place. His most recent poetry collection is As the Sky Begins to Change (Red Hen, 2024). He has taught writing in dozens of schools and community centers, and in Scotland, Italy, Mexico, and Bhutan. In 2018 he was named Oregon’s 9th Poet Laureate by Governor Kate Brown for a two-year term. In a call to writers everywhere, he has said, “In our time is a great thing not yet done. It is the marriage of Woody Guthrie’s gusto and the Internet. It is the composing and wide sharing of songs, poems, blessings, manifestos, and stories by those with voice for those with need.”  https://www.kimstaffordpoet.com/

12:00-12 :15 pm  Book Signing

12:15-1:15 pm  Luncheon

1:30-2:45 pm  Connecting Verses: Enhancing Poetic Impact Through Networking and Publishing – Nile Stanley, Ph.D., professor, editor, and author, Steffani Fletcher, M.Ed., Founder and CEO, and Erika Williams, MA, Executive Director, Hope at Hand

Navigating the evolving world of publishing and networking can be as challenging as rewarding. This workshop led by Nile Stanley,  Ph.D., with Steffani Fletcher, M.Ed., and Erika Williams, MA, will focus on practical methods to harness the power of connections and effective publishing strategies to sustain and grow one's poetic career. Participants will engage in direct, collaborative activities to demystify the publishing process, from crafting compelling submissions to identifying and approaching appropriate publishers and literary journals. We will explore the role of innovative writing groups and digital tools that can facilitate broader reach and greater engagement with diverse audiences. (60% Experiential/40% Didactic) Educational Setting.

Dr. Nile Stanley is an Associate Professor of Literacy Education at the University of North Florida, He has 37 years of experience as a reading specialist, poetry educator, artist in residence, and visiting scholar of narrative psychology in China, Germany, and Vietnam. He has published research in the American Educational Research Association (AERA) ‘s Proceedings, Journal of Poetry Therapy, Reading Psychology, and Language Magazine. As a performance poet, storyteller, and children’s author, he has published books, chapters, newspaper columns, podcasts, and TV interviews. Stanley is a founding board member of Hope at Hand, Inc., a non-profit center that provides art and poetry interventions for underserved youth. He is an editorial board member of the JPT and a past editor of the Florida Reading Journal.

Steffani Fletcher is the Executive Director of Hope at Hand, a nonprofit organization that provides therapeutic poetry lessons for youth She has 23 years of teaching and administrative experience with Duval County Public Schools. Steffani holds degrees in Elementary Education and Educational Leadership. She has also earned national certifications from the American Montessori Society and the International Federation of Biblio/Poetry Therapy and is a member of the Leadership Jacksonville Class of 2015. Mrs. Fletcher founded Hope at Hand in 2009 and has created poetry programming for 22 social service/education venues in Jacksonville, FL and Tallahassee, FL. She blends her vast knowledge of educational best practices, poetry, and therapeutic techniques to create programming that has made a significant impact on at-risk youth.

Erika Williams is the Executive Director of Hope at Hand. She holds a BA in Elementary Education (K-6), an MA in Montessori Education for ages 6 to 12, and an Educational Leadership certification.

3:00-4:30 pm Workshop Series D

D1. Poetry as a Creative Tool of Justice: What the West Can Learn from Somali  Godob Verse – Ana Ljubinkovic, Ph.D.

When introduced to the idea that justice could be administered with the use of poetry instead of courts, prisons, or death penalty, many of us in the Western world might be surprised. But within the Somali culture, this is a rather familiar concept. Since ancient times, Somalis have used poetry to condemn wrongdoings, punish offenders, and restore justice. This workshop, led by Dr. Ana Ljubinkovic, explores the creative justice system reflected in Somali indigenous godob-poetry and investigates its potential to inspire innovative perspectives on justice within the Western world.

The workshop is divided into two sections. The first, didactic session, will introduce the Somali concept of godob - a state of ‘unsatisfied justice’ following a wrongdoing - before presenting an analysis of godob-poetry and its disciplining tools, such as scorn, diatribe, and humor. The second, interactive session, will invite participants to create godob-poetry and reflect on its possible justice-related effects. (50% Experiential/50% Didactic) Clinical/Health Care, Educational Setting, Spirituality, Social Justice.

Dr. Ana Ljubinkovic is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at California State University, Stanislaus, and an external academic examiner for the MA in Refugee Care at the University of Essex, UK. Her research interests focus on trauma, collective violence, refugeehood, and the role of poetry in promoting psychological healing. Ana has previously taught at MA programs in Human Rights (UK), MA in Refugee Care (UK) and MA in Peace Education (Italy). As a consultant to the United Nations and other organizations in Africa and the Middle East, she worked in the area of psychosocial and mental health support for refugee populations with a focus on promoting traditional forms of art within the processes of trauma healing. Her work has been published in the Journal of Poetry Therapy and includes the articles Healing dimensions of Somali poetry in response to military humanitarian intervention and Therapeutic role of Somali humor in digesting military humanitarian intervention. Her latest publication, Bards of Dadaab: Oral poetry and psychological healing among Somali refugees in Kenya, explores the therapeutic role of Somali oral verse in coping with protracted exile. She conducted a workshop on 'Advice-poetry' and Trauma Healing at NAPT Conference in 2024.

D2.  Bibliotherapy in Community – Lowen Clarke, Ph.D. and Adrian Masterman-Smith, MA, MS.

Dr. Lowen Clarke and Adrian Masterman-Smith have been ‘doing good’ in the small Australian community they moved to. They started work with a Story Seat project, which uncovered that the most pressing issue for the community was family violence. They took an innovative approach, creating biblio-therapeutic picture books left free for the community. The books use a trauma-informed approach and a Rainbow point of view. These range from men's behavioral change ("The Options Game"), encouraging family safety ("My Yes Family Competition"), and addressing Rainbow family violence ("Top Secret Rainbow Business"). Participants will have access to the three books as PDFs prior to the workshop. From their pre-reading and reflections, we will discuss the issue of family violence and what can be done. We will work with art materials and writing in a gentle bilateral process, encouraging participants to work with both image and words to create affirmations and utilize Empowerment Script. The goals for the workshop are for participants as they consider the family violence issue to create affirmations, to understand that for a community a diversity of approaches is needed, and to see that biblio-therapy may work on a large scale. (50% Experiential/50% Didactic) Social Justice.

Dr. Lowen Clarke is a creative arts therapist, psycho-traumatologist, member of International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation, and professional member ANZACATA. Dr. Clarke is also part of the LGBTIQA+ community. His background at Melbourne University and the University of Melbourne College of Divinity is as a Classicist, Philosopher and a Theologian. He has a Graduate Diploma in Professional Writing from Deakin University. He also has a Masters in Organisation Dynamics. Lowen co-presented at the Expressive Arts Therapy Summit, November 2023. An internationally honored author, he wrote about the insidious effects of media (social media) decades ago. He is the creator of Empowerment Script, a script format that he discovered can assist with PTSD and trauma, with potential to heal the mind. He helped found local group 16 Days of Activism Family Safety and distributes books around the shire in a biblio-therapeutic campaign. Lowen was Vice President of the Williamstown Literary Festival. He welcomes tourist trains as Mark Twain and still performs poetry.

Adrian Masterman-Smith is currently a doctoral student. Adrian was asked to be on the local police safety committee and from there learned of the high incidence of family violence in the local community. He helped found the local group 16 Days of Activism Family Safety, and distributes books around the shire in a biblio-therapeutic campaign. Adrian co-presented at the Expressive Arts Therapy Summit, November 2023. Adrian is Chair of the Creative Arts Therapy Special Interest Group of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation. Adrian also founded the first Pride Group and Festival in his town of Maryborough. Adrian is Chair of Mill House Neighbourhood House, Maryborough. Adrian has a Masters in Organisation Dynamics and a Master of Arts from St Martins London.

D3. Poetry Pals: Poetry that Describes and Develops Friendship – Beth Jacobs, Ph.D. and Perie J Longo, Ph.D., LMFT, PTR, M/S

As people in the poetry therapy field, we need support and camaraderie to sustain our own creative process. This workshop is an example of that, co-led by two poetry pals, and considers the important friendships that exist in poetry. We will read and write poems about the sustaining connections of poets and people. Then we will explore the special connections of poets who help others; how we can edit, enhance, and enjoy our poems and lives together. We will close with a real life example of a poetry pal poem that impacted us, and write poems of generosity for someone we might know. (75% Experiential/25% Didactic) Clinical/Health Care Setting(1.5 peer hours).

Beth Jacobs, Ph.D. leads expressive writing groups for people of all ages in her community, and is a thankful member of NAPT for 28 years and past Board member. She is the author of Writing for Emotional Balance, Long Shadows of Practice: poems, The Original Buddhist Psychology, A Buddhist Journal, and the upcoming Luminous Loves Gray: poems, to be released by Shanti Arts Publishers.

Perie J Longo, Ph.D., LMFT, PTR, M/S and author of four books of poetry, she has been active in NAPT since 1990 and president of NAPT 2005-07. Appointed Poet Laureate of Santa Barbara 2007-09, she taught in California Poets in the Schools for 25 years and has facilitated poetry therapy groups for Sanctuary Centers and Hospice of Santa Barbara for over 30 years. On the Board of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation as Poetry Chair she organizes the annual Poetry for Peace Prize for poets around the world.

D4. The Poetry of Spirituality – Joy Roulier Sawyer, MA, LPC, PTR, M/S

Poetry has long reflected the rich breadth and depth of humanity's myriad approach to spirituality. In a world rife with confusion and conflict, life-affirming poetry can both nourish our souls and create compassionate bridges of understanding between us. It's true: spiritual poems can make us better human beings -- no matter what our beliefs might be. In this experiential workshop, led by Joy Roulier Sawyer, MA, LPC, PTR, M/S, we'll explore poems that radiate with broad definitions of spirituality, such as Rumi, Hafiz, Anne Sexton, Mary Oliver, David Wagoner, Molly Fisk, Kaylin Haught, Joy Harjo, and others. Our readings are designed to help center and balance you, as you explore your own approaches to a spiritual life. Through guided writing prompts and gentle conversation, you’ll also have the opportunity to discover more about yourself as a spiritual seeker. (80% Experiential/20% Didactic) Clinical/Health Care Setting.

Joy Roulier Sawyer received her MA from New York University, where she was the recipient of the Herbert Rubin Award for Outstanding Creative Writing. She’s the author of two poetry collections, Lifeguards and Tongues of Men and Angels, as well as several nonfiction books on creativity and spirituality, and her work appears in LIGHT Quarterly, Lilliput Review, New York Quarterly, St. Petersburg Review, and many others. The keynote speaker for the 2023 NAPT Conference, Joy is a retired registered poetry therapist and mentor/supervisor, and has served on the editorial board of the Journal of Poetry Therapy for many years. She’s taught poetry, and poetry therapy at the University of Denver, Goddard College, and Lighthouse Writers Workshop, where she received the 2019 Beacon Award for Teaching Excellence. Joy is also a longtime instructor of Lighthouse’s Hard Times Workshop, a collaboration with several local public libraries for the unhoused and those facing life challenges. Through her organization The Art of Facilitation (www.artoffacilitation), she provides training and support for facilitators of groups, meetings, coaching, and more. In addition, Joy is also the co-creator of “Writing from the Soul,” a spiritual writing retreat held each August at Benet Hill Monastery.

D5. The Fifth Track: Poetry @Work in Organizations – Julie Benesh, Ph.D., MFA 

Poetry and work have a complicated relationship. Freud called love and work the cornerstones of our humanity, but the work poem is far lesser known than its love poem cousin. Khalil Gibran said work is love made visible, and can’t the same be said of a poem? Words are the yin to commerce’s yang of metrics, and work is one of poetry’s muses. Poetry is expressive and playful, yet can be as exacting and demanding as any valued and valuable task. This session, led by  Julie Benesh, Ph.D., MFA, works and plays with the fascinating intersections of work and poetry, and participants will experience how each respective subject and process can illuminate the other. Participants will read and respond to poems and draft their own to share with in dyads, small groups and the whole group, as they wish. (75% Experiential/25% Didactic) Clinical Health Care Setting, Educational Setting, Spirituality, Social Justice.

 

Julie Benesh is author of the poetry collection INITIAL CONDITIONS and the poetry chapbook ABOUT TIME. She has been published in Tin House, Another Chicago Magazine, Florida Review, and many other places, earned an MFA from Warren Wilson College, and received an Illinois Arts Council Grant. She currently lives in Chicago and holds a PhD in human and organizational systems. She is a frequent presenter at International Leadership Association Conference, Academy of Management, Council of Adult and Experiential Learning, and other conferences. Sample her writing at juliebenesh.com.

5:00-5:15 pm Closing Remarks – Laura Santner, LCSW, PTR-CM, CCATP, NAPT President 

5:15-6:00 pm. Closing Event: Natalia Uribe, MT-BC   Closing Celebratory Event: Collaborating a Musical Collage Through Drumming

Drumming has been around since the dawn of humanity, serving as a vehicle for connection, expression, and community building. During this drum circle, music therapist Natalia Uribe will guide you through different musical experiences aimed to ground your experiences through the conference. You can expect to learn some basic drum beats, and collaborate with your colleagues in creating a musical collage full of energy and vitality to celebrate hope and beauty..

Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, Natalia Uribe, MT-BC (She/They/Ella/Elle) specializes in using music therapy to support diverse communities, including LGBTQIA+, survivors of domestic violence, TBI and those in end-of-life care, and are passionate about breaking down barriers to access mental health and music therapy services. https://www.uribemusictherapy.com/about

6:00 pm Dinner on your own

Sunday, April 7th   See Conference Schedule 

Post-Conference Workshops & Events

6:30-8:45 am Breakfast 

9:00-11:30 am Morning Triple Workshop: Experience a Poetry Therapy Group (Third Session – 2 Groups) 

For the newcomer or dedicated trainee, experience poetry therapy in action along with Nancy Scherlong, LCSW, PTR, CJT, M/S, & Ingrid Tegnér, MSW, CAPF, CM. Join us each day for this interactive and didactic workshop that spans over three days (Fri, Sat and Sun). Experience the beginning, middle and end of a real poetry peer group. Integrate your conference experience, meet new colleagues, and write new material in a supportive community. Participants will be divided into two small groups. You must be available to attend all three days. (75% Experiential, 25% Didactic)  (4.5 peer hours).

12:00-1:00 pm Lunch on your own