My Professional Biography
Elizabeth Ann Manhart Barrett, PhD; RN-BC, LMHC; FAAN
I am Professor Emerita, Hunter College, City University of New York. Currently, I am a psychotherapist in the private practice of Health Patterning in New York City, a research consultant, and co-author of the Power-Imagery Process. Prior to my faculty position at Hunter College, I was Assistant Director of Nursing at The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. I have been a Visiting Scholar at New York University, Loyola University, Chicago, and Humboldt University, Berlin.
In addition to years of experience as a practitioner, administrator, researcher, and teacher at prominent New York Medical Centers and Universities, I have honed a unique, alternative approach to psychotherapy based on the theory of Power as Knowing Participation in Change that I created. This Health Patterning process teaches people how to freely create intended changes in their lives through individualized Power Prescriptions.
Of the three million RNs, I am honored to be one of approximately 1600 elected Fellows in the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN). I am a founding member and was the first president of the Society of Rogerian Scholars and have been actively involved since its inception in 1989. I currently serve on the board of directors of the American Institute for Mental Imagery and the Health Advisory Board of the Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation. I am an honorary member and former consultant to the International Society of University Nurses, and a member of the editorial board of Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine and Visions: The Journal of Rogerian Nursing Science. I am an active member of the International Women’s Writing Guild (IWWG).
The primary focus of my research and other scholarly activities is the Barrett Power Theory and the Power as Knowing Participation in Change Tool (PKPCT). Over 80 studies using Barrett’s theory and/or power measurement tool have been conducted. This instrument has been translated into Japanese, Korean, Swedish, Danish, Portuguese, French, and German. It is my privilege to serve as a consultant to institutions and individuals with a focus on power and imagery and to teach and lecture nationally and internationally. I have presented my work on power in Australia, Scotland, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, South Korea and the Philippines as well as throughout the U.S. During my 40 year career, I have authored nearly 100 publications including articles, book chapters, and three co-edited books. I am also the editor of Visions of Rogers’ Science-based Nursing which received the American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year Award.
Recent media activities include: a radio interview on the Expat Show, “The Power-Imagery Process for Health and Well-Being” (click here for the interview), and another radio interview on A Women’s Perspective with Virginia Reed, “Power-as-Freedom” (click here for the interview).
Also recently, guest lectures were given at Vassar College, The City University of New York Graduate Center, New York University, and Pumpkin Hollow Retreat Center. During 2008, I presented papers at the College of New Rochelle, Baruch College of the City University of New York, and Case Western Reserve University and I moderated a panel at a conference sponsored by the American Institute for Mental Imagery. Also, during 2008 I served as a consultant on my work to administrators, clinical leaders, and staff nurses in the Nursing Department at Bronx Lebanon Medical Center, Bronx, New York. Power-Imagery Partners, of which I am co-creator and co-president with Gerald N. Epstein, MD, has provided the Power-Imagery Process to individuals and businesses as well as offering it to health care organizations and educational institutions.
A one day conference, “Celebration of 25 years of Barrett’s Theory of Power” was held June 6th, 2008 in New York City. Some of the papers presented there will be published in a special issue devoted to my power work in Nursing Science Quarterly in 2010. Audio recordings of the nine speakers is available as an 8 CD set from Creative Seminars (www.cstapes.com). In addition, a two day International Conference on Barrett’s Theory of Power as Knowing Participation in Change was held at Keimyung University in Daegu, South Korea, on September 29-30, 2005. Currently, I am devoting much of my time to my private practice and writing the book on my view of power that has been evolving over the past 30 years.