About Joan Furman
Joan Furman MSN, AHN-BC, CET-III
Joan Furman is a holistic nurse practitioner and clinical experiential therapist whose focus is creating a healthful mind/body relationship in all phases of health or illness. In her private practice she employs experiential therapy and psychodrama in both individuals and groups, counseling, EMDR, Reiki and other healing touch therapies, guided imagery and various approaches to conscious living and dying. She conducts weekend intensives using experiential therapy and equine assisted therapy and teaches workshops in meditation, Reiki, and other personal growth topics. She is the author of The Dying Time: Practical Wisdom for the Dying and Their Caregivers (Crown, 1997), as well as over seventy published articles, chapters and books.
Joan has an MSN in Nursing from Vanderbilt University and a BA in Psychology and French from the University of Tennessee. She is a board-certified Advanced Practice Holistic Nurse, Level II EMDR Practitioner, and a Reiki Master Therapist and Teacher. Certified as a Clinical Experiential Therapist, Joan leads intensive therapeutic workshops in Tennessee, Mississippi and Arizona. She has held faculty appointments at the schools of nursing at University of Tennessee in Chattanooga, Tennessee State University and Vanderbilt University. She has served two terms as a board member of Nashville Psychotherapy Institute.
Articles you may read here by JoanFurman
Curriculum Vitae
Summary of Experience
Holistic nurse practitioner, counselor, experiential therapist, author, nursing educator, health care consultant with experience in organizational development, corporate development, management, communications, research and international health and social policy. With a background in nursing, psychology, leadership, management and languages, professional settings have included private practice, academia, treatment center, public health, hospitals, private industry, and travel and study in twenty-three foreign countries.
Experience/Present
1989 to present – PRIVATE PRACTICE OF HOLISTIC NURSING – Nashville, TN Holistic nursing services including counseling, experiential therapy, EMDR, guided imagery, touch therapies such as Reiki, Healing Touch, Acupressure, Reflexology and Craniosacral. Practice emphasis: trauma, bereavement, codependency, life-threatening illness, acute or chronic illness, pain management. Experiential therapy groups and individual counseling; classes in Reiki, personal growth, healing and meditation. International group education experiences for health care providers. Certified as a clinical experiential therapist, Joan leads intensive therapeutic workshops in Tennessee, Mississippi and Arizona.
Experience/Past
2000 to 2006 – SCHOOL OF NURSING, TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY – Nashville, TNAssistant Professor. Clinical and classroom teaching in Holistic Nursing Masters Degree Program
2001 to 2002 – CENTER FOR HEALING, BAPTIST HOSPITAL – Nashville, TN Founded and directed an integrative healing center. Supervised large multidisciplinary team of professionals. Provided holistic nursing services including individual and group counseling, guided imagery, touch therapies such as Reiki, Healing Touch, Acupressure, Reflexology and Craniosacral therapy. Coordinator of healer education for large urban hospital.
1983 to 1992 – NURSE CONSULTANTS, INC. – Nashville, TN President. As founding president, designed, developed and marketed six new hospital product lines internationally. Developed consultation services for legal matters in health care.
1989 to 2000 – SCHOOL OF NURSING, VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY – Nashville, TN Lecturer in Community Health Nursing.
1985 to 1989 – TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT Health Services Research Specialist (6/86 – 8/89); Director of Center Based Programs (6/85 – 6/86). State health policy research and development and special projects development. Directed statewide High Risk Perinatal, Genetics, Sickle Cell and Newborn Screening Programs. Coordinated multi-disciplinary, pluralistic advisory committees to State Commissioner of Health and Environment and the Governor. Administrative support staff and $7 million budget. Coordinated state AIDS Advisory Committee to Governor McWherter.
1982 to 1985 – UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE AT CHATTANOOGA – Chattanooga, TN Assistant Professor, School of Nursing. Full faculty responsibilities in the baccalaureate program. Taught Maternal-Child Nursing, Physical Assessment, Senior Seminars and served as advisor on senior research projects and preceptor for graduate students.
1977 to 1982 – UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE AT CHATTANOOGA – Chattanooga, TN Adjunct Professor of Nursing.
1977 to 1981 – ERLANGER MEDICAL CENTER – Chattanooga, TN Director, Perinatal Regionalization Program. Founder and coordinator of high risk newborn clinic. Founder of “Parents Experiencing Perinatal Death”, the first support group in the area.
1972 to 1976 – VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY/VANDERBILT MEDICAL CENTER – Nashville, TN Clinical Specialist, Director, Neonatal Intensive Care and Instructor, School of Nursing (1975 – 76). Nurse Clinician, Newborn Emergency Transport Unit (1974-75). Charge Nurse, Staff Nurse, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (1972-74).Founded first support groups for parents experiencing loss. Founded programs that included parents in the care of their infants.
1968 to 1971 – MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA – Charleston, SC Charge Nurse, Staff Nurse, Neonatal Intensive Care. Started first programs for parents experiencing loss of a newborn or stillbirth. Began programs including parents in the care of their newborn, including allowing fathers to be present and care for the infant.
Education & Certifications
Related Professional Activity
1984-87 KELLOGG NATIONAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM Chosen as one of forty-two Fellows from pool of 867 national candiates for three year leadership development program. Administered $30,000+ grant to fulfill requirements of personal learning plan including experiential learning in thirteen foreign countries. Participated in extensive leadership training including general leadership concepts, management, conflict negotiation, technology, international interdependence, government, working with media, public speaking, and several special courses to improve specific leadership skills. Personal learning plan included study and experiential learning about health and social policy related to women, children, minorities and the poor.
Education
Vanderbilt University, M.S.N., (honors: Sigma Theta Tau).
University of Tennessee, B.A., with High Honors.
Greenville General Hospital School of Nursing, Diploma.
Certifications
EMDR advanced training
Clinical Experiential Therapist, Level 3
Advanced Practice Holistic Nurse
Holistic Nurse Practitioner, AHN-BC
Reiki Master Therapist/Teacher
SOMEX level 2 (somatic experiential therapy)
Certificate Programs
Innovation Associates, Boston, Mass., 1987.
Center for Creative Leadership, Greensboro, N.C.1986;
Ashridge Management College, Berkhamsted, England 1987.
W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Battle Creek, Mich.1987
TN. Reiki Confluence, Reiki Master Teacher/Therapist, 1990.
Cumberland Institute for Wellness Education,Acupressure Therapy, 1990.
Chrysalis: Reflexology
American Holistic Nurses Assoc., Certificate Program in Holistic Nursing, 1995.
Upledger Institute: Craniosacral Therapy. 1996.
Healing Touch, Levels 1, 2A, 2B.
Experiential Therapy and Psychodrama at Onsite, ongoing various locations.
EMDR. Level 1, EMDR Institute, 2004, Level II, EMDR for Dissociation and Trauma.
SOMEX Level 2 (Somatic Experiential Therapy) Experiential Healing Center, Memphis.2016
Continuing education courses ongoing through American Holistic Nurses Association, Nashville Psychotherapy Institute, Concept Synergy, Onsite Workshops, EMDR Institute.
Summary of Community Activities
Founding member Kellogg Fellows Leadership Alliance 1987-current
Board of Directors 1999-2002, 2005-2008 Nashville Psychotherapy Institute
Board of Directors 1986-89 Alive Hospice, Inc.
Board of Directors 1986-90 Haitian Children's Fund, Inc.
Board of Directors 1986-91 PEACE, Inc., Nashville, TN.
Advisory Committee 1985-87 YWCA Domestic Violence Program
Advisory Committee 1987-89 World Peace Outreach, Inc.
State President 1989-90 TN Women's Political Caucus
State President 1982-84 National Organization for Women
Advisory Council 1988-90 Vanderbilt AIDS Project
Founding Board of Directors Full Circle, Inc., Rochester, N.Y.
Delegate, 1985 United Nations N.G.O. Forum, Kenya
U.S. Delegate, 1987 World Congress of Women, U.S.S.R.
Member 1987-91 Nashville Committee on Foreign Relations
Expert Committee Public Summit 88,U.S./U.S.S.R.
Member American Holistic Nurses Association
Member American/TN Nurses Association
Member Nashville Psychotherapy Institute
Group Facilitator 1987-1996 Nashville CARES (AIDS)
Dining Out for Life Host 2003-present.
Publications
ARTICLES
Seaborg, Joan, A Matter of Simple Justice, The Chattanooga Times, 3/85.
Seaborg, Joan Furman, The Tennessee Perinatal Care System, A Status Report, Perinatal Press, Winter, 1986.
Seaborg, Joan Furman, The Tennessee Genetics Program, J. TN. Med. Assoc., Vol. 79, No. 5, May, 1986.
Seaborg, Joan Furman, To the Nursing Graduate, Bulletin of the Tennessee Nurses Association, Vol. 49, No. 3, June, 1986.
Furman-Seaborg, Joan, The Fetus as Patient, The Woman as Incubator, presented to the Third International Interdisciplinary Congress on Women; Dublin, Ireland, 7/87.
Furman-Seaborg, Joan, Progress Begins with Defining Our Vision for the World and its Future, The Tennessean, January 10, 1988.
Furman-Seaborg, Joan, Real Crisis in Health Care is Seeing it as a Privilege and Not a Right, The Tennessean, July 29, 1988.
Furman-Seaborg, Joan, Where are Leaders Like Dr. King, Jr.? The Tennessean, January 15, 1990.
Furman-Seaborg, Joan, Body Image, Feminism, and Womanhood, Women’s VU; May, 1990.
Furman-Seaborg, Joan, Seasons of the Body: Weathering the Change Proudly, The Tennessean, May 18, 1990.
Furman-Seaborg, Joan, An Open Letter to the New Nursing Graduate, Tennessee Nurse, April, 1992.
Furman, Joan, Domestic Violence, The Tennessean, October 27, 1992.
Furman, Joan, How to Stay Healthy as a Nurse, Tennessee Nurse, October, 1992.
Furman, Joan, Holistic Health: A Nurse’s Perspective, Trans. Winter, 1995.
Furman, Joan, The Power of Touch, The Tennessean, July 14, 1996.
Furman, Joan, Reviewer for Dossey, B.M. Core Curriculum for Holistic Nursing, Aspen Publishers, 1997.
Furman, Joan. Accepted for publication: Guidelines for visitors to the dying. The Tennessean.
Furman, Joan. How to stay healthy as a nurse. The Practicing Nurse (Pracnurse.com). Vol 2, no. 15, 1999.
Furman, Joan. Body image, feminism and womanhood. The Practicing Nurse (Pracnurse.com). Vol. 2, no. 15, 1999.
Furman, Joan. Reviewer. In Integrating Complementary Medicine into Health Systems: A Guidebook.
Furman, Joan. Introduction to the dying time. Plan4ever.com 8/99.
Furman, Joan. Choices and decisions along the way. Plan4ever.com 9/99.
Furman, Joan. A near death experience. Plan4ever.com 10/99.
Furman, Joan. The importance of visual surroundings. Plan4ever.com 11/99.
Furman, Joan. Sound and noise. Plan4ever.com 12/99.
Furman, Joan. Aromatherapy for the dying time. Plan4ever.com 1/2000.
Furman, Joan. Handling visitors to the dying. Plan4ever.com 2/2000.
Furman, Joan. Nourishment for the dying. Plan4ever.com 3/2000.
Furman, Joan. Bed care and body mechanics. Plan4ever.com 4/2000.
Furman, Joan. Pain in the dying time. Plan4ever.com 5/2000.
Furman, Joan. Skin care and bathing. Plan4ever.com 6/2000.
Furman, Joan. Taking a holistic approach to the dying time. Nursing 2000 (30:6). 6/ 2000.
Furman, Joan. Giving mouth care. Plan4ever.com 7/2000.
Furman, Joan. Stress and the caregiver. Plan4ever.com 8/2000
Furman, Joan. Burnout and the caregiver. Plan4ever.com 9/2000
Furman, Joan. Self care for the caregiver. Plan4ever.com 10/2000
Furman, Joan. Why meditate? Plan4ever.com 11/2000
Furman, Joan. Guided imagery: part 1. Plan4ever.com 12/2000
Furman, Joan. Guided imagery: part 2. Plan4ever.com 1/2001
Furman, Joan. Guided imagery: part 3. Plan4ever.com 2/2001
Furman, Joan. Guided imagery: part 4. Plan4ever.com 3/2001
Furman, Joan. Living with Dying: How to Help Family Caregivers. Nursing 2001. (31:4), 4/2001
Furman, Joan. Grieving for the Future You Won’t Have. Plan4ever.com 4/2001
Furman, Joan. The Signs of a Failing Body. Plan4ever.com 5/2001
Furman, Joan. The Signs of a Healing Mind. Plan4ever.com 6/2001
Furman, Joan. Reviewing Your Life. Plan4ever.com 7/2001
Furman, Joan. Unfinished Business. Plan4ever.com 8/2001.
Furman, Joan. As Your Loved One Changes. Plan4ever.com 9/2001.
Furman, Joan Nurses and Chronic Grief: Part 1 Plan4ever.com 10/2001.
Furman, Joan Nurses and Chronic Grief: Part 2 Plan4ever.com 11/2001
Furman, Joan Nurses and Chronic Grief: Part 3 Plan4ever.com 12/2001
Furman, Joan What you should know about chronic grief: learn to deal with your own lingering emotions when a patient dies. Nursing 2002. (32:2) February, 2002.
Furman, Joan. Helping the dying grieve the future. Nursing 2003.
Furman, Joan. Unfinished business. Plan4ever.com 8/2001.
Furman, Joan. As Your Loved One Changes. Plan4ever.com 9/2001.
Furman, Joan. Nurses and Chronic Grief: Part 1 Plan4ever.com 10/2001.
Furman, Joan. Nurses and Chronic Grief: Part 2 Plan4ever.com 11/2001.
Furman, Joan. Nurses and Chronic Grief: Part 3 Plan4ever.com 12/2001.
Furman, Joan. What you should know about chronic grief; learn to deal with your own lingering emotions when a patient dies. Nursing 2002. (32:2) February, 2002.
Furman, Joan. Healing the mind and spirit as the body fails. Nursing 2004. (34:4) April, 2004.
Furman, Joan. Meditation and imagery: good for what ails you. Health and Wellness Magazine. June-July 2004.
Furman, Joan. Complementary health: an integrative approach to healing. Vanderbilt Nurse. Fall, 1005.
Furman, Joan. On surviving, thriving and suicide. Psychobits. Winter, 2006.
Furman, Joan. Spiritual healing in the dying time: healing separation and restoring union. Published as a composite book.
BOOKS
Tennessee Perinatal Care System Educational Objectives for Nurses, published by the Tennessee Department of Health, Division of Maternal and Child Health, May, 1982
Tennessee Perinatal Care System Educational Objectives in Medicine for Perinatal Social Workers, published by the Tennessee Department of Health, Division of Maternal and Child Health, May, 1982
Tennessee Perinatal Care System Educational Objectives for Physicians, published by the Tennessee Department of Health, Division of Maternal and Child Health, August, 1982
Furman, Joan, Guided Imagery for Creating a Safe Place, in Rose, Emilie P., Reaching for the Light: A Guide for Ritual Abuse Survivors and Their Therapists. The Pilgram Press, Ohio, 1996
Furman, Joan, and McNabb, David, The Dying Time: Practical Wisdom for the Dying and Their Caregivers. BellTower-Crown Publishers, 1997
Furman, Joan. Healing in the Dying Time. In Healing Separation and Restoring Union: Within Individuals, Between Individuals and Between Individuals and Spirit. Nashville Psychotherapy Institute, 2009.