Maria Brignola is a nationally recognized group and workshop facilitator, writer, educator, and healthcare consultant. Maria is the Program Director for the Senior Psychiatric Unit at Providence Milwaukie Hospital where she collaboratively opened, shaped and continues to grow the program.  Previously, she was Manager of the Counseling and Therapy Department at Adventist Medical Center.  Maria’s commitment to patient care is achieved by enhancing program design and objectives, in addition to developing and implementing best practice policies and protocol. She possesses a comprehensive knowledge of strategic administration and brings financial and operational acumen to her work. For decades, she has worked as a counselor among diverse populations, delivering an integrative patient-centered care model, while advocating for improved mental health care in our community. As a transformational catalyst, she focuses on quality assessment and progressive excellence in the provision of patient care.

Clinical Experience

Program Director, Senior Psychiatric Unit, Providence Milwaukie         2016-Present

Counseling and Therapy Manager, Adventist Health                                  2009 – 2016

Group Therapist and Counselor, Adventist Health                                     2004 – 2009

Private Contractor, Consultant, Speaker                                                       1990 – 2004

Professional Psychotherapist and Counselor                                               1988 – 2006

Academic Experience

Faculty Member, Marylhurst University                                                       1990 – 2018

Faculty Member, Portland State University                                                 2015 – 2017

Contributing Writer, Arts in Psychotherapy Journal                                1997 – 2013

Skills and Areas of Expertise

• Leader in Administrative and Clinical Management, Higher Education and Counseling
• Active Liaison and Leader across Departments and Organizations
• Strategic Financial and Operational Planning and Performance
• Expert and Strong Advocate for Trauma-Informed Mental Health Care
• Innovative Program and Policy Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation
• Supervision of Inter-professional Staff and Professional Development
• Keenly Attuned to Performance and Productivity Improvement, Quality Assessment
• Expert in Adult Instructional Design, Development and Implementation
• Expert in Group Dynamics and Group Development
• Excellent Writing and Editing Skills
• Expert knowledge in Somatic Psychotherapy Theory and Practice

Program Development and Selected Workshop Presentations

• Mindfulness and Movement for Managing Stress during COVID
• Aging Life Care Association: Creativity, Care and Connection
• Group Dynamics: Phases and Development for Mixed Groups for Acute Inpatient Care
• Movement Meditation for Balance, Peace and Well Being
• LEAN Process for Eliminating Waste and Improving Performance
• Trauma Informed Care and Adult Psychiatry in the 21^st Century
• Strength-Based Mindfulness and Interpersonal Neurobiology
• Relationship with Self in Human Sciences
• Body Positivity, Somatic Psychology and Diversity
• The Dance of Relationship: Interpersonal Neurobiology and Enriching Relationships with Self, Other and Environment
• Body, Brain and Bonding: The Body’s Role in Neurological Development
• The Mindful Body: A Somatic Approach to DBT
• DBT and DMT: Interfacing the Two Disciplines
• Reclaiming Soma: Uniting Body, Mind and Spirit for Health and Wellness
• Experiential Learning for Women in Higher Education

Publications

Brignola, M. (2013).  Review of the book The Healing Dance: The Life ad Practice of an Expressive Arts Therapist. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 40, 358-359.

Brignola, M. (2004).  Review of the book The Arts in Contemporary Healing.  The Arts in Psychotherapy, 31, 273-276.

Brignola Lee, M. (2003).  Review of the book Dance Movement Therapy:  A Creative Psychotherapeutic Approach. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 30(1), 53-57.

Brignola Lee, M. (2001).  Review of the book The Art and Practice of Dance/Movement Therapy.    The Arts in Psychotherapy, 28(5), 90-92.

Brignola Lee, M. (2000).  Review of the book Dance Therapy Notebook.  The Arts in Psychotherapy, 27(1), 71-72.

Brignola Lee, M. (1998).  Review of the book Getting in Touch:  The Guide to New Body-Centered Therapies.  The Arts in Psychotherapy, 25(5), 349-351.

Brignola Lee, M.  (1995).  Dance Movement Therapy.  Online article.  The International Communique, Ltd.

Brignola, M. (1987).  The Movement Parameters of Individuals Surviving Head Injury.  Masters degree thesis.  Philadelphia, PA.

Education

• MCAT Masters in Creative Arts Therapy                                                1987
  Hahnemann University, Summa Cum Laude

• BA Psychology, West Chester University                                                 1984
  Summa Cum Laude

Certifications

• QMHP-C Qualified Mental Health Professional                                     2019
• NCC National Certified Counselor                                                             1990
• BC-DMT Board Certified Dance/Movement Therapist                         1991

Affiliations

• American Group Psychotherapy Association             2019
• American Management Association                             2015
• Portland Creative Arts Therapy Association               2006
• National Board of Certified Counselors                        1990
• American Dance Therapy Association                           1987

Professional Interests and Additional Training

• Advanced Mindfulness Skills for Building Resilience
• Group Dynamics and Group Psychotherapy
• Body Mind Medicine and Somatic Psychology in Health Care
• AIM Change Management Methodology
• CAP/Work Out Change Acceleration Process
• Trauma Informed Care in Addictions and Mental Health Division
• Interpersonal Neurobiology and Advances in Neuroscience
• LEAN Performance Improvement
• Leadership Development Institute
• Somatic Psychology and Trauma Treatment
• Experiential Learning in Higher Education

Donald Altman, M.A., LPC is a psychotherapist, former monk, and and award-winning author of over 15 books on mindfulness and spirituality. An international speaker and trainer, he has trained over 10,000 mental health clinicians, nurses, doctors and others how to use mindfulness interventions for depression, anxiety, trauma, pain and stress-related conditions.