"This class is a treasure - thank you! Group members respond to the Poetry for Healing workshop for women recovering from cancer held on November 3, 2018 at Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital: "What a pleasure to spend the afternoon writing and sharing together. A luxury truly - to be treated to such beautiful words, beautiful fellow cancer survivors, a beautiful space - both in time and place - for writing. Each one had such beauty to share, truly enriching me as I learned about the life experiences of each one - in beauty and challenge. Thank you Diane and Margaret! The group was facilitated by Diane Kaufman, MD and Margaret Hartsook, LPC, ATR.
"I guess 3 hours isn't long enough. We need more time. Good group: heartfelt & kind." Group members respond to the Words for Healing workshop for women recovering from cancer held on Saturday April 28, 2018 at Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital: "The exercises really tapped into thoughts and emotions I didn't realize I was having - this was very helpful. Thank you!" "What a lovely way to spend a Saturday afternoon!" "This provided such a lovely experience. I'm so glad I was able to participate. Thank you." "Many thanks for the workshop. I would love there to be an option for an ongoing writing workshop for the group." "Thank you for the lovely experience!" The group was facilitated by Diane Kaufman, MD and Margaret Hartsook, LPC, ATR.
"This poem video (What Makes Us) is FABULOUS POIGNANT SHATTERING." ~ Deborah Merkle, mind/body therapist
"I love it and want to thank you for your work, it's so important and relevant."~ Renowned poet Jimmy Santiago Baca on seeing What Makes Us
"OMG Tears are streaming as I write you. This is perhaps your greatest accomplishment to date (What Makes Us). As a survivor/granddaughter of a man I never got to know before his suicide, I thank you for bringing this into the world. May it save someone today." ~ Karen C.
"Thank you Diane for all that you've done for Morrison kids/families as well as supporting so many staff! I wish you the very, very best. You are a very creative, passionate and talented person and professional. I'm grateful you were with us for 2 years! Take care." Drew Henrie-McWilliams, CEO, Morrison Child & Family Services. Dr. Kaufman was an outpatient child psychiatrist at Morrison Child and Family Services from 8/25/14 - 9/7/16.
"Thank you for the workshop! It was a wonderful experience!" Illness & Light: An Alchemist's Workshop held on August 13, 2016 at Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland, Oregon. Diane Kaufman, MD and co-facilitator Margaret Hartsook, LPC, ATR presented on magic, mystery and alchemy in the healing from cancer journey. Eight women, some of whom had enjoyed prior Words for Healing workshops, and some new to the experience, spent five hours together using poetry and art to tap into their creative inner healer. "Rich with poetry and sharing." "I found the structure very helpful and the instructors had clearly put a great deal of thought and time with developing the workshop. The size of the group was just right. These workshops are challenging for me but enjoyable and always worthwhile. I like both the shorter format and the day-long format." "Merging the writing with mandalas. I always love art or writing in groups. The energy seems to expand."
"Your words are beautiful and inspired my music. Freedom's Song is a great statement of where we are today in 2016. The words remind us that many in this world are shackled to life in a way that does not permit even the thought of freedom." ~ David Kerr, Composer & Founding President of Integrity House, NJ
"Last night, I was doing a site visit for my summer program and I had a chance to read with one of the girls. And guess what? She selected Bird That Wants to Fly. She actually selected three books for her session, pointed at your story, and said, "Let's save the best for last." It doesn't get much better than that!" ~ Nathan Buck, Senior Program Manager, Portland, Oregon, SMART (Start Making a Reader Today)
"You are doing important work, Dr. Kaufman!" ~ Dorie Clark, author of "Reinventing You" (Harvard Business Review Press, 2013) and "Stand Out," named the #1 Leadership Book of 2015 by Inc. magazine
"Bravo Diane, for pursuing your beautiful dreams and coalescing them into tangible, eternal works that you have created. I admire you." ~ Tolga Taneli, MD, Training Director, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark Campus
"Dr. Kaufman's keynote presentation on April 15, 2016 at the annual conference of the National Association for Poetry Therapy was uplifting, moving, and inspiring. She shared creative, sensitive ways of bringing the creative arts to children and families and to communities in need of hope and healing. She described ways of using music, poem-making, story-book creation, and other innovative approaches to enrich the therapeutic experience and to support patients in processing grief, loss, and other painful realities. It was exciting to learn about such impressive work!" ~ Shanee Stepakoff, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, Registered Poetry Therapist Adjunct Professor, California Institute of Integral Studies Core Faculty, Kint Institute Certificate Program in the Arts and Trauma Treatment
Words for Healing: 6 Session Writing Workshop Series for Women Healing from Cancer at Legacy Good Samaritan, 1130 NW 22nd Street, Portland, Oregon co-facilitated with Margaret Hartsook, LPC, ATR during February and March 2016: "I loved this class. 2 hours was barely long enough each session. But I seemed to thrive with the creativity that seemed to verily explode with the prompts and suggestions. Thank you!" "The instructors were fabulous. Full of heart and creativity." "Wonderful program run by exceptional teachers." "You opened yourself up to the class and shared your creative spirit. You gently guided us to a place within ourselves where we were able to express our feelings, our needs, our struggles. What you have given is respectfully received and will be cherished. Thank you, and thank you."
Words for Healing: 3 Session Writing Workshop Series for Women Healing from Cancer at Legacy Good Samaritan, 1130 NW 22nd Street, Portland, Oregon co-facilitated with Margaret Hartsook, LPC, ATR in the Fall of 2015: "I loved this so much - thank you. I definitely want to do more!" "This was wonderful. I have enjoyed it so much." "Please continue. Its healing properties are fabulous." "Wonderful class - so helpful." "Loved it! Thank you so much!"
"Your consistency with embracing your inner artist is so admirable! It really inspires me to take out my watercoloring set, pens and papers!" Mark Harren, ATR, LCAT
“Your poem is moving and inspirational to anyone concerned with our country’s future. I appreciate your continued leadership in this field.” ~ David A. Hamburg, MD, President of the Carnegie Corporation, writing to Dr. Kaufman about her poem “America’s Children are Singing” and her work as Medical Director of the Family Program for Infants and Young Children, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
“I have become a Diane Kaufman advocate and applaud your efforts to us the art of poetry as a healing art and as a vehicle that will allow individuals to express those feelings they might have withheld otherwise.” ~ Stanley S. Bergen, Jr., M.D., President Emeritus, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
“Very often in our busy schedules, we fail to take the time to acknowledge and commend individuals who work tirelessly and whose efforts literally save lives. A person worthy of such praise is Dr. Diane Kaufman...Dr. Kaufman represents a rare combination of compassion, commitment, and creativity. Such good works often go unheralded, but we at Cities in Schools want to say thank you to University Hospital and Dr. Kaufman.” ~ Gwendolyn C. Corrin, Executive Director of Cities in Schools, Newark, NJ
"Dr. Kaufman's presentation, with ample examples of patient's poetic composition served two purposes very well. She instructed us on how poetry therapy is done and the multiple advantageous outcomes to which it can lead. She also spoke cogently and convincingly on the importance of letting patients know that clinicians are interested in them as unique personalities whose fantasies and visions are fascinating and important. She showed us that patients respond better and are more motivated to change when their expressions of their inner lives are attended to and appreciated by those who treated them. It was a most impressive presentation and greatly appreciated by the audience." ~ Howard D. Esiman, PhD, Director, Psychology, Behavioral Health, Coney Island Hospital, Brooklyn, NY
“The video, the poem, everything about it is truly gorgeous, deep and powerful. An amazing piece. Thank you for writing it and sharing." ~ John Roksony, Producer/Director New York Music and Video Production (re: “In Memory of the Future,” a poem by Dr. Kaufman on the Newtown tragedy, creatively rendered by Newark Arts High School students)
“ ...a role model for those aspiring to be physicians as well as for her colleagues… She approaches the ideal synthesis of humanism and medicine.” ~ Jacob Lindenthal, Dr PH, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
“Your presentation was outstanding – but that’s what I expected. The involvement of the audience, the music, the poetry and the handout all added another dimension to the seminar. People like you make the world a nicer place for all of us.”
~ Lee. R. Dolan, Director, Women’s Wellness Center, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
“It was obvious from her passion and inspiring prose that Dr. Kaufman overflows with dedication and love for her work and has a very special way of connecting with people.” ~ Milton Unterberger, Program Chairman, Central New Jersey Mensa, Inc. (regarding poetry workshop Dr. Kaufman gave at the Mensa Society)
"This poem video (What Makes Us) is FABULOUS POIGNANT SHATTERING." ~ Deborah Merkle, mind/body therapist
"I love it and want to thank you for your work, it's so important and relevant."~ Renowned poet Jimmy Santiago Baca on seeing What Makes Us
"OMG Tears are streaming as I write you. This is perhaps your greatest accomplishment to date (What Makes Us). As a survivor/granddaughter of a man I never got to know before his suicide, I thank you for bringing this into the world. May it save someone today." ~ Karen C.
"Thank you Diane for all that you've done for Morrison kids/families as well as supporting so many staff! I wish you the very, very best. You are a very creative, passionate and talented person and professional. I'm grateful you were with us for 2 years! Take care." Drew Henrie-McWilliams, CEO, Morrison Child & Family Services. Dr. Kaufman was an outpatient child psychiatrist at Morrison Child and Family Services from 8/25/14 - 9/7/16.
"Thank you for the workshop! It was a wonderful experience!" Illness & Light: An Alchemist's Workshop held on August 13, 2016 at Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland, Oregon. Diane Kaufman, MD and co-facilitator Margaret Hartsook, LPC, ATR presented on magic, mystery and alchemy in the healing from cancer journey. Eight women, some of whom had enjoyed prior Words for Healing workshops, and some new to the experience, spent five hours together using poetry and art to tap into their creative inner healer. "Rich with poetry and sharing." "I found the structure very helpful and the instructors had clearly put a great deal of thought and time with developing the workshop. The size of the group was just right. These workshops are challenging for me but enjoyable and always worthwhile. I like both the shorter format and the day-long format." "Merging the writing with mandalas. I always love art or writing in groups. The energy seems to expand."
"Your words are beautiful and inspired my music. Freedom's Song is a great statement of where we are today in 2016. The words remind us that many in this world are shackled to life in a way that does not permit even the thought of freedom." ~ David Kerr, Composer & Founding President of Integrity House, NJ
"Last night, I was doing a site visit for my summer program and I had a chance to read with one of the girls. And guess what? She selected Bird That Wants to Fly. She actually selected three books for her session, pointed at your story, and said, "Let's save the best for last." It doesn't get much better than that!" ~ Nathan Buck, Senior Program Manager, Portland, Oregon, SMART (Start Making a Reader Today)
"You are doing important work, Dr. Kaufman!" ~ Dorie Clark, author of "Reinventing You" (Harvard Business Review Press, 2013) and "Stand Out," named the #1 Leadership Book of 2015 by Inc. magazine
"Bravo Diane, for pursuing your beautiful dreams and coalescing them into tangible, eternal works that you have created. I admire you." ~ Tolga Taneli, MD, Training Director, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark Campus
"Dr. Kaufman's keynote presentation on April 15, 2016 at the annual conference of the National Association for Poetry Therapy was uplifting, moving, and inspiring. She shared creative, sensitive ways of bringing the creative arts to children and families and to communities in need of hope and healing. She described ways of using music, poem-making, story-book creation, and other innovative approaches to enrich the therapeutic experience and to support patients in processing grief, loss, and other painful realities. It was exciting to learn about such impressive work!" ~ Shanee Stepakoff, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, Registered Poetry Therapist Adjunct Professor, California Institute of Integral Studies Core Faculty, Kint Institute Certificate Program in the Arts and Trauma Treatment
Words for Healing: 6 Session Writing Workshop Series for Women Healing from Cancer at Legacy Good Samaritan, 1130 NW 22nd Street, Portland, Oregon co-facilitated with Margaret Hartsook, LPC, ATR during February and March 2016: "I loved this class. 2 hours was barely long enough each session. But I seemed to thrive with the creativity that seemed to verily explode with the prompts and suggestions. Thank you!" "The instructors were fabulous. Full of heart and creativity." "Wonderful program run by exceptional teachers." "You opened yourself up to the class and shared your creative spirit. You gently guided us to a place within ourselves where we were able to express our feelings, our needs, our struggles. What you have given is respectfully received and will be cherished. Thank you, and thank you."
Words for Healing: 3 Session Writing Workshop Series for Women Healing from Cancer at Legacy Good Samaritan, 1130 NW 22nd Street, Portland, Oregon co-facilitated with Margaret Hartsook, LPC, ATR in the Fall of 2015: "I loved this so much - thank you. I definitely want to do more!" "This was wonderful. I have enjoyed it so much." "Please continue. Its healing properties are fabulous." "Wonderful class - so helpful." "Loved it! Thank you so much!"
"Your consistency with embracing your inner artist is so admirable! It really inspires me to take out my watercoloring set, pens and papers!" Mark Harren, ATR, LCAT
“Your poem is moving and inspirational to anyone concerned with our country’s future. I appreciate your continued leadership in this field.” ~ David A. Hamburg, MD, President of the Carnegie Corporation, writing to Dr. Kaufman about her poem “America’s Children are Singing” and her work as Medical Director of the Family Program for Infants and Young Children, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
“I have become a Diane Kaufman advocate and applaud your efforts to us the art of poetry as a healing art and as a vehicle that will allow individuals to express those feelings they might have withheld otherwise.” ~ Stanley S. Bergen, Jr., M.D., President Emeritus, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
“Very often in our busy schedules, we fail to take the time to acknowledge and commend individuals who work tirelessly and whose efforts literally save lives. A person worthy of such praise is Dr. Diane Kaufman...Dr. Kaufman represents a rare combination of compassion, commitment, and creativity. Such good works often go unheralded, but we at Cities in Schools want to say thank you to University Hospital and Dr. Kaufman.” ~ Gwendolyn C. Corrin, Executive Director of Cities in Schools, Newark, NJ
"Dr. Kaufman's presentation, with ample examples of patient's poetic composition served two purposes very well. She instructed us on how poetry therapy is done and the multiple advantageous outcomes to which it can lead. She also spoke cogently and convincingly on the importance of letting patients know that clinicians are interested in them as unique personalities whose fantasies and visions are fascinating and important. She showed us that patients respond better and are more motivated to change when their expressions of their inner lives are attended to and appreciated by those who treated them. It was a most impressive presentation and greatly appreciated by the audience." ~ Howard D. Esiman, PhD, Director, Psychology, Behavioral Health, Coney Island Hospital, Brooklyn, NY
“The video, the poem, everything about it is truly gorgeous, deep and powerful. An amazing piece. Thank you for writing it and sharing." ~ John Roksony, Producer/Director New York Music and Video Production (re: “In Memory of the Future,” a poem by Dr. Kaufman on the Newtown tragedy, creatively rendered by Newark Arts High School students)
“ ...a role model for those aspiring to be physicians as well as for her colleagues… She approaches the ideal synthesis of humanism and medicine.” ~ Jacob Lindenthal, Dr PH, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
“Your presentation was outstanding – but that’s what I expected. The involvement of the audience, the music, the poetry and the handout all added another dimension to the seminar. People like you make the world a nicer place for all of us.”
~ Lee. R. Dolan, Director, Women’s Wellness Center, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
“It was obvious from her passion and inspiring prose that Dr. Kaufman overflows with dedication and love for her work and has a very special way of connecting with people.” ~ Milton Unterberger, Program Chairman, Central New Jersey Mensa, Inc. (regarding poetry workshop Dr. Kaufman gave at the Mensa Society)