Board Members
Nancy S. Scherlong, LCSW, SEP, PTR/CJT, CM
Nancy is a licensed clinical social worker in the states of CT and NY, trauma-informed wellness coach, registered poetry (2002) and journal therapist (2014) and certified mentor (2005). She currently serves as president of the International Federation for Biblio/Poetry Therapy, is the chair of the certified mentor committee and the liaison to the sister organization – The National Association for Poetry Therapy (NAPT). Nancy has been part of the poetry therapy community for over 30 years and has served on NAPT’s board as well as the VP of Membership and as the Government Affairs Chair to the National Association for Creative Arts Therapies Associations. She teaches for the Therapeutic Writing Institute (TWI), believes in the power of arts for social change and 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. She has co-authored several chapters on the healing power of poetry. Her consulting business is Change Your Narrative LCSW PLLC.
Kathleen Adams, LPC, PTR, CM
Kay is a psychotherapist, adult educator and registered poetry/journal therapist. In 1988 she founded and still directs the Center for Journal Therapy, a global institute with headquarters in Denver, Colorado and in 2008 opened the cyber doors to its professional training division, the Therapeutic Writing Institute. Kay has been a NAPT member since 1992 and received her PTR credential in 2000. She was on the board of NAPT for 12 years and was president 2000-2002. She was on the Federation board from 2003-2008 and rejoined the board in 2023 in a strategic planning role. Kay lives quietly in the western suburbs of Denver with her husband, Ken Perreault, and their apricot poodle, Banjo.
Dottie Joslyn, CAPF
Dottie is currently treasurer for IFBPT. She is a poet and writer and a retired bookkeeper. She served for several years on the NAPT board as the bookkeeper and membership chair. She worked at the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) chapter in Southwest Missouri as a poetry and journaling facilitator. She has a book of poetry, Just Show Up.
Harriet Kohen, MA, LICSW, CPT
Harriet currently serves as secretary for the IFBPT Board after serving four years as the Credential Chair. She received her CPT in 2013 and is a long-time member of NAPT. She created and implemented a poetry therapy program while working in pediatric oncology with patients and their families at a children’s hospital. She also uses poems with individuals in her private practice. She participated in the Poets Behind Bars project for two years. When she is not working with clients, she journals and loves to compose Haikus when walking outside. Poetry therapy and expressive writing for health and well-being are her passions.
Kristen DeFazio-Schmidt, MLS, CAPF, CJF
Kristen has served on the IFBPT Board since 2018. She serves as the Ethics Chair and her committee work has included the website, credentials, training guide, and curriculum. Kristen has been an educator for 26 years, instructing all ages (elementary, middle school, high school, undergraduate, and graduate) ranging from the public-school sector to the private collegiate level and tutoring. She has worked in the equipment rental business as an Office Manager and CBO for the past eleven years. She is a writer, poet, and bibliophile.
Robin Rosado, CASAC Advanced, CAPF, ADS, CA
Robin currently serves on the IFBPT board as Member in Training Chair. She is an addictions counselor in New York City, using the healing power of poetry to assist in strengthening individuals’ self-esteem and sense of empowerment in their recovery journeys. She is a poet and the founder of Calliope’s Cocoon Inc.
Anjana Deshpande, LCSW, CPT, CJT
Anjana has served on the IFBPT board in the capacity of Vice President and is currently member at large. She currently works as a Readjustment Counselor at the VA and also teaches through the Therapeutic Writing Institute.