Dr. Barbara Bethea

Dr. Barbara Bethea is the Director of the Creative Art Therapy Department at Correctional Health Services-Rikers Island and a Licensed Creative Art Therapist since November 2007, overseeing a team of therapists and conducting individual and group sessions within a forensic mental health environment. Additionally, Dr. Bethea serves as a Poetry Therapist and Poetess for Poetryworks Entertainment and maintains registration as a Poetry Therapist with the National Association for Poetry Therapy, where responsibilities have included past presidential duties. Dr. Bethea holds a PhD in Expressive Therapies from Lesley University and an MA in Psychology with a focus on Poetry Therapy and Counseling from Vermont College in Union Institute & University. Prior professional experience includes a role as a Central Office Technician at Verizon.