Barbara Bethea, Ph.D., PTR, LCAT, CASAC is the first African American Registered Poetry Therapist certified through the International Federation for Biblio/Poetry Therapy (IFBPT) and licensed by New York State as a Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT). Dr. Bethea is also the first African American Certified Mentor for the IFBPT. Dr. Bethea completed her Master in Psychology, Poetry Therapy and Counseling at Vermont College of Union Institute and University and her Ph.D. in Expressive Therapies at Lesley University. Dr. Bethea is also a Master-level Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) through the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS).

 Dr. Bethea has been employed by New York City Health and Hospital (NYCHH) for over 16 years and the only LCAT-Poetry Therapist on the NYCHH footprint. Dr. Bethea began her career providing services on the in-patient units at Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center in 2008. In 2021, Dr. Bethea was promoted to Associate Director of the Creative Arts Therapy program on Rikers Island.