Faculty:

Steve Wilson, MA, CSP, licensed psychologist, author, professional speaker, humor educator, founder of World Laughter Tour. Known internationally as “The Joyologist”, Steve has been a mental health professional and educator for more than forty years. He founded the World Laughter Tour, with the mission of leading the world to health, happiness and peace through laughter. By teaching new ways of thinking about love, life & work, he has helped thousands of people find happier family and personal relationships. The author of several books, he has been developing techniques for using laughter for health, happiness and peace since 1984, and is the creator of a laughter/humor therapy that is used in hospitals, cancer treatment centers, senior living, schools and workplaces around the world. One of America’s top-rated speakers, he served on the Board of Directors of the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor, and was the 2007 recipient of The Golden Laughter, awarded by the French School of Laughter and Well-being to an international personality who advocates for health and peace through laughter. Steve says, “With the world in constant turmoil we must use every tool at our disposal to find personal happiness and peace of mind. Humor and laughter are natural antagonists to stress and violence, and laughter is contagious, so let’s start an epidemic. That’s no joke!” Helen Bzdel, BA, BSW, RSW(SK), CLL, CTRTC - Helen works as Clinical Social Worker in the area of forensic mental health and private practice, with over sixteen years of experience in the mental health field. Helen is working on her Masters degree in Social Work. She presents laughter sessions to any group including large corporations and speaks on Therapeutic Laughter, stress reduction, team building and wellness.    Irene Doniger, RN, MS, CLL, licensed psychologist in Pennsylvania. Founder of Irene G. Doniger and Associates, LLC. This is a unique behavioral health practice using both traditional and less traditional therapy techniques to heal past wounds and help people find joy and meaning in their journey. Services provided include individual, group and family therapy. Groups provided have included ongoing and time-limited groups dealing with women’s issues, anxiety, self-esteem and stress management. Adrienne Edmondson, MA, CLL Dianne Fidelibus, LPC, LICDC, CLL Dianne is a CLL who teaches "Therapeutic Laughter" at Columbus, State Community College (Ohio). This is a unique 30-hour 3-credit course elective for primarily students in the Human Services programs. The CLL curriculum is incorporated into this course. Students can opt to receive the CLL certification as part of their successful completion of the coursework. Jennifer Fielder, RN, CLL. Jen plays with the Ah-LAFska Club at least weekly in Anchorage, Alaska. She works in a local hospital with over thirty years experience in varied nursing realms plus gives time to local charities to promote cancer awareness and prevention. "Ladies: get your mammies-grammed! One of those saved my life." Deborah Harbinson, RN, BSN, CNOR, CLL   Charles "Chip" Lutz, MSEd, CLL. Chip is the C.L.O. (Chief Laughing Officer) and founder of Funsquad, Inc. and has 22 years leadership experience. A retired Navy Officer, he has had two command tours, served as the Director of Security for Naval District Washington, DC during September 11th, and has held various other key leadership positions. He prides himself on keeping it "light" while getting the job done.             A seasoned educator and trainer, he is currently adjunct faculty for two different universities and was selected as Southwestern Colleges Affiliate Faculty of the Year for 2005. He has taught over 20 different classes in leadership, management, human resource development, and organizational behavior. He has been published in Security Management Magazine and was the 2007 recipient of the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humors essay contest for Humor in the Workplace. Jim “Scotty” Scott, MA, CLL, Family Readiness & Family Support Policy and Program Planner Susan Stewart, RN, MA, CLL, Health Promotion Educator. Susan M. Stewart, RN, MA, CLL is an accomplished speaker and holistic educator.   A graduate of Mt. Carmel School of Nursing and The Ohio State University, her targeted and innovative health education programs have been recognized by the American Cancer Society of Central Ohio and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAPHRD).  Susan attended the first Certified Laughter Leader training in the United States in July 2000 and is a Master Trainer and Coordinator of Integrative and Holistic Laughter Care with World Laughter Tour.  She has a special interest in the application of laughter and humor for seniors, those facing the challenge of cancer and chronic health conditions and health care professionals. She is a member of the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (AATH) and the American Holistic Nursing Association (AHNA).  Her essay “Laughter: Nature’s Healing Refrain” is included in the book, The Art and Soul of Healing which will be published in 2009.  Susan’s passion and commitment for laughter and movement is contagious and she encourages people around the country to “Get in your feel-good groove – ya gotta laugh, ya gotta move!”    Heather Wandell, MA, CLL. Heather speaks on Healing Laughter in a variety of venues, doing an average of 100 laughter sessions per year. She obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration/Marketing from the University of Baltimore and a Masters Degree in the Applied Healing Arts from the Tai Sophia Institute in Laurel, MD in June 2007. She has had thirteen years experience in Older Adult Day Programming and pursues the Science of Mind teachings through the Columbia Center for Spiritual Living. She belongs to several business organizations and is on the board of  Frisky's Wildlife and Primate Sanctuary, Inc., where she also serves as Director of Community Outreach.  She writes a monthly column called Monkey Business --- Better Business Practices Learned Through Monkeys, published in the Simian magazine.  She resides with her husband, two children, and three cats  and a dog in Ellicott City, Maryland.