Meridian University

Core and Adjunct Faculty

John Amodeo received his Bachelor's from Hofstra University, his Master's from Lone Mountain College, and his Doctorate from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. He has been in private practice as a psychotherapist for over 20 years. John lectures widely and has also been a teacher of Focusing since 1982. Among his many publications in the areas of relationships and psychotherapy are his three books, Being Intimate; Love and Betrayal; and The Authentic Heart.

James Armstrong received his Bachelor's from the University of Virginia, his Master's from the University of Northern Colorado, and his Doctorate from Loyola University of Chicago. Jim has previously taught at CIIS, Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, Saybrook Graduate School, and the Presidio School of Management. He is a management consultant with an interest in Executive Coaching, Organizational Development, and Strategy Development.

Michael Barclay (Core Faculty) received his Bachelor's from Colgate University, his Master's from Sonoma State University, and his Doctorate from Saybrook Institute. For over 15 years, Michael has been in private practice as a Clinical Psychologist and serves as the Clinical Director of New Directions Adolescent Services. Michael’s research articles have been published in the Journal of Phenomenological Psychology, Journal of Music Therapy, The Humanistic Psychologist, and Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology. Michael also leads a blues/jazz band.

Pamela Blotner received her Bachelor's in Fine Arts from the Cleveland Institute of Art, and her Master's in Fine Arts from Syracuse University. An internationally recognized and prolific working artist, much of Pamela’s work has been informed by her experiences as an illustrator and specialist on missions for Human Rights Watch, Physicians for Human Rights, and the UC Berkeley Human Rights Center. For several years Pamela served on the MFA faculty at the University of San Francisco, and she is currently a faculty member at Pixar University at Pixar Animation Studios. Her research interests include the use of art for social change, the relationship between art and illness, the power of art to serve as a touchstone that shapes a culture, and the study of artists who have followed their conscience while adhering to artistic integrity.

Michael Bodkin received his Bachelor’s from Brandeis University and his Master's in Counseling from the University of Wisconsin. He is a licensed MFT and is the Executive Director of Rites of Passage Inc. He is the co-author of “The Rites of Passage Vision Quest” a chapter in Exploring the Power of Solo, Silence and Solitude.

John Conger received his Bachelor's from Harvard College, his Master's from New York University, and his Doctorate from the California School of Professional Psychology. John’s interests include the integration of spirituality, somatic awareness, and psychodynamic theory. He has been in private practice as a Clinical Psychologist for 25 years. Among his many publications in the areas of somatic psychology and psychotherapy are his two books, Jung and Reich: The Body as Shadow and The Body in Recovery: Somatic Psychotherapy and the Self.

Eleanor Criswell received her Bachelor's and Master's from the University of Kentucky and her Doctorate from the University of Florida. She has been a professor of psychology at Sonoma State University since 1969 and has formerly been its Chairperson. She is the editor of the journal Somatics and the Director of the Novato Institute for Somatic Research and Training. As a Counseling Psychologist, she maintains a private practice in psychotherapy and somatics and is the author of Somatic Yoga and Somatics and Biofeedback.

Carolyn Shoshana Fershtman, JD, Ph.D., (Core Faculty) is the Director of Assessment and Student Development at Meridian University. Shoshana received her Bachelor’s from the University of California, Berkeley, her Juris Doctor from the UCLA School of Law, and her Master’s and Doctorate from Meridian University. She is a psychologist in private practice in Santa Rosa, whose interests include mysticism, dreamwork, depth psychology, somatic therapy and mindfulness-based approaches. Shoshana has worked as an attorney consultant for environmental and Native American groups for many years.

Dianna Grayer received her Bachelor's from San Francisco State University and her Doctorate from Meridian University. In private practice as a psychotherapist, Dianna specializes in issues of childhood maternal wounding, parenting, and foster care and adoption.

Roberta Goldfarb received her Bachelor's from Ohio University, her Master's from Kent State University, and her Doctorate from Saybrook Institute. Formerly the Director of Student Affairs at the California State University and Colorado State University, she is currently the Executive Supervisor at Chrysalis Counseling Services and is in private practice as a psychotherapist. Roberta’s interests include the relationship between psychology and spirituality, the psychology of women, meditation practice, and sandplay.

Lisa Herman (Core Faculty) received her Bachelor's from the University of California, Berkeley, her Master's from California State University, Hayward, and her Doctorate from the California Institute of Integral Studies. Lisa’s publications focus on trauma, play therapy, qualitative research, and transformative learning. In addition to the United States, Lisa has worked as a psychotherapist and teacher in Canada and Israel.

Kim Hermanson Kim Hermanson received her Bachelor's from Iowa State University, her Master's from the University of Minnesota, and her Doctorate from the University of Chicago. She has taught at, University of California Berkeley and Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. Her books include Getting Messy: A Guide to Taking Risks and Opening the Imagination for Teachers, Trainers, Coaches and Mentors and Sky's the Limit, which received an Independent Publisher Award in 2005.

Maria Hess received her Bachelor's from Chico State University and her Doctorate from California Institute of Integral Studies. She previously taught at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology and is currently an Associate Professor at Sonoma State University as well as a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Her interests include Gestalt therapy, teaching effectiveness, and transformative learning.

Jürgen Kremer received his Master's and Doctorate from the University of Hamburg. Jürgen previously served as Academic Dean for the California Institute of Integral Studies and as Vice-President of Academic Affairs for Saybrook Institute. He is currently an executive editor of ReVision: A Journal of Consciousness and Transformation. He has published extensively in the areas of indigenous wisdom and cultural transformation.

Ellen Levine received her Bachelor's from Wheaton College, her Master's from the New School for Social Research, and her Doctorate from York University. She is a psychoanalyst and the co-founder of a graduate training program in Expressive Arts Therapy. She is the author of Tending the Fire: Studies in Arts, Therapy and Creativity, co-author of Principles and Practices of Expressive Arts Therapy, and co-editor of Foundations of Expressive Arts Therapy.

Stephen Levine received his Bachelor's from the University of Pennsylvania and his Doctorate from the New School for Social Research. Formerly a Professor at York University, he is the editor of Poiesis: A Journal of the Arts and Communication. He has published several books and many articles on imagination, creativity, and Expressive Arts Therapy.

Aftab Omer (Core Faculty) received his Bachelor's from M.I.T. and his Doctorate from Brandeis University. Formerly a faculty member in both the Psychology and Sociology departments at Sonoma State University, he is currently the President of the Council for Humanistic and Transpersonal Psychologies. Aftab’s research has focused on the emergence of human capacities within transformative learning communities and his work includes assisting organizations in tapping the creative potentials of conflict, diversity, and complexity. His published articles include “The Spacious Center: Leadership and the Creative Transformation of Culture” and “Between Columbine and the Twin Towers: Fundamentalist Culture as a Failure of Imagination.”

Andrew Prokopis received his Bachelor's from Lesley College, his Master's from Harvard, and his Doctorate from Antioch University. In private practice as a Clinical Psychologist in which he specializes in Internal Family Systems Therapy and the expressive arts, Andrew’s research interests include psycho-spiritual approaches to psychology, and the use of the expressive arts in psychotherapy.

Laury Rappaport received her Bachelor's in Art Therapy from the State University of New York/ Buffalo, her Master's in Art/Expressive Therapy from Lesley College, and her Doctorate from Union Institute. Prior to relocating to California, Laury taught art therapy and expressive therapies at Lesley University for over 25 years. Laury is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Registered Expressive Arts Therapist. Additionally, as a Certified Focusing Trainer, Laury is a pioneer in the integration of expressive arts therapies with renowned psychologist Eugene Gendlin’s Focusing. Her book, Focusing-Oriented Art Therapy, is widely used in art therapy and expressive arts classes.

Lou Rappaport received his Bachelor's from City College of New York and his Doctorate from Boston College. In private practice as a Clinical Psychologist for over 39 years, Lou has specialized in the treatment of Eating Disorders and other Substance Dependency issues, as well as integrative approaches to Brief Therapy. Lou served as Chief of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Marin General Hospital for several years, and served as the Program Chair and faculty at Argosy University.

Linda Sartor received her Bachelor’s from the California State University and her Doctorate from the California Institute of Integral Studies. She has lead numerous visions quests in her work with Rites of Passage and is co-author of “The Rites of Passage Vision Quest” a chapter in Exploring the Power of Solo, Silence and Solitude.

Bob Schmitt received his Master's from Santa Clara University and his Doctorate from Fordham University. Currently Bob is the acting President of Saybrook and was the former Co-President of the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. Bob’s interests include life coaching, spiritual direction, and religious studies.

Melissa Schwartz (Core Faculty) received her Master's from Beacon College and her Doctorate from Rosebridge Graduate School (now Argosy University). Formerly a faculty member in both the Psychology and Counseling departments at Sonoma State University, she maintains a private practice as a Clinical Psychologist and Marriage and Family Therapist, is a member of the California Psychological Association’s MCEP Review Committee, and is a Peer Reviewer for the APA journal, Psychology of Women Quarterly. Her interests include the psychology of women, adult development, and qualitative research.

Linda Sussman received her Bachelor's from Pomona College, her Master's from the University of Redlands, and her Doctorate from the Union Institute. Linda is a storyteller and mythologist who has been a teacher of storytelling for 20 years. Linda’s publications include her book on the story of Parzival, The Speech of the Grail: A Journey Toward Speaking that Heals and Transforms.

Priscilla Taylor received her Bachelor's from the University of California, Berkeley, her Master's from Phillips Graduate Institute, and her Doctorate from Pacifica Graduate Institute. Priscilla has been a psychotherapist and family therapist at Kaiser Permanente and has been in private practice for 20 years. Her interests include child therapy, drama therapy, the mythic nature of dreams, and the mythic and cultural dynamics of marginalization.

David Ulansey received his Bachelor's from Princeton University, his Master's from Temple University, and his Doctorate from Princeton University. David has published numerous books, including Mysteria: The Ancient Mysteries and the Evolution of Consciousness and The Origins of the Mithraic Mysteries: Cosmology and Salvation in the Ancient World and has made an award winning documentary entitled, “Call of Life”.

Art Warmoth received his Bachelor's from Reed College and his Doctorate from Brandies University. Art has been Chair of the Department and Professor of Psychology at Sonoma State University. He has been the President for the Association for Humanistic Psychology. His interests include economics, alternative currencies, and learning communities.

Daniel Wile received his Bachelor's from the University of Chicago and his Doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley. Dan has been in private practice as a Clinical Psychologist for over 30 years and trains psychotherapists in his unique approach to collaborative couples therapy. Dan has published extensively in the area of couples therapy, including his three books: Couples Therapy: A Nontraditional Approach; After the Honeymoon: How Conflict Can Improve Your Relationship; and After the Fight: Using Your Disagreements to Build a Stronger Relationship.

Jonathan Young received his Bachelor's from Azusa Pacific University and his Master's and Doctorate from the California School of Professional Psychology. Jonathan has a consulting practice as a Clinical Psychologist and teaches courses on mythic stories throughout California. Jonathan was the Founding Curator for the Joseph Campbell Archives and Library and is currently the Director of the Center for Story and Symbol. Among his publications in the area of mythological studies are the two volumes of his book SAGA: Best New Writings on Mythology.

Contributing Faculty

David Abram, Ph.D. is an eco-psychologist and philosopher interested in “bettering relations between humans and the more than human world.” His essays on the cultural causes and consequences of ecological disarray have appeared often in such journals as Environmental Ethics, Tikkun, Orion, Parabola, Adbusters, and The Ecologist. He is the author of several publications including his book:

• The Spell of the Sensuous: Perception and Language in a More-Than-Human World.

Angeles Arrien, Ph.D. is an anthropologist and an organizational consultant. She teaches about indigenous wisdom and is the author of several books including:

• The Second Half of Life: Opening the Eight Gates of Wisdom
• The Nine Muses: A Mythological Path to Creativity
• The Four-Fold Way: Walking the Paths of Warrior, Teacher, Healer, and Visionary
• Working Together: Producing Synergy by Honoring Diversity The Signs of Life

Susan Griffin is a well-known writer and poet who was named by Utne Reader as one of a hundred important visionaries for the new millennium. She is the author of several books including:

• A Chorus of Stones: The Private Life of War
• The Eros of Everyday Life
• Woman and Nature: The Roaring Inside Her
• The Book of the Courtesans: A Catalogue of Their Virtues
• What Her Body Thought
• Wrestling with the Angel of Democracy: On Being an American Citizen

Jean Houston, Ph.D. is the Director of the Foundation for Mind Research in Oregon and the author of over twenty books, including:

• The Search for the Beloved: Journeys in Sacred Psychology
• The Possible Human
• A Mythic Life
• Manual for the Peacemaker
• The Hero and the Goddess
• The Passion of Isis and Osiris

Joanna Macy, Ph.D. is a scholar of Buddhism, general systems theory, and deep ecology, as well as a leading voice in movements for peace, justice, and sustainability. She is the author of several books, including:

• Coming Back to Life: Practices to Reconnect Our Lives, Our World
• World as Lover, World as Self
• Widening Circles
• Mutual Causality in Buddhism and General Systems Theory
• Thinking Like a Mountain: Towards a Council of All Beings

Shaun McNiff, Ph.D. is the founder of several graduate programs bringing the arts to psychotherapy and education. He is the author of several books including:

• Art as Medicine: Creating a Therapy of the Imagination
• Art-Based Research
• Art Heals: How Creativity Cures the Soul
• Depth Psychology of Art
• Fundamentals of Art Therapy
• Educating the Creative Arts Therapist
• The Arts and Psychotherapy

Michael Meade is a master storyteller and scholar of mythology. He is the founder of the Mosaic Multicultural Foundation. He is the author of several publications including:

• The Water of Life: Initiation and the Tempering of the Soul
• Initiation and the Soul: The Sacred and the Profane
• Entering Mythic Territory: Healing and the Bestowing Self
• Fate and Destiny: The Eye of the Pupil, the Heart of the Disciple
• Poetics of Peace: Vital Voices in Troubled Times
• The Great Dance: Finding One’s Way in Troubled Times
• Crossroads: Quest for Contemporary Rites of Passage

Thomas Moore, Ph.D. is a lecturer and teacher of religion, mythology, and Imaginal Psychology. He is the author of several books including:

• Care of the Soul
• The Soul’s Religion
• Soul Mates
• The Soul of Sex
• Dark Nights of the Soul
• Education of the Heart
• The Re-Enchantment of Everyday Life

Robert Sardello, Ph.D. is co-founder of the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture and has been a practicing psychotherapist for over 20 years. He is the author of over 200 articles in scholarly journals and cultural publications including:

• Facing the World with Soul
• Love and the Soul
• Freeing the Soul from Fear
• The Power of Soul: Living the Twelve Virtues
• Silence

Sobonfu Somé is a teacher from the Dagara culture of West Africa whose work focuses on intimacy, children, and community. She is the author of:

• Welcoming Spirit Home
• The Spirit of Intimacy
• Falling Out of Grace