Maria Brignola MA, BC-DMT, NCC, QMHP-C
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 21st 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
