Feeling Good Associates produce and distribute educational and therapeutic products that inform and educate people in the areas of self-esteem, socialization skills and sex information, with an emphasis on serving individuals who are disabled and/or need self-confidence.
About the Creators
Gloria Blum, M.A.
Gloria Blum, M.A., is an Educational Consultant. Her teaching credentials include Adult Education, Vocational Training for the Handicapped, General Elementary, and as a Specialist for Physically Handicapped, Exceptional Children, Developmentally Disabled and Hearing Impaired persons. She has been the keynote speaker and presented seminars and workshops at conferences and meetings throughout the world on the subjects of Self-Esteem, Socialization Skills and Sex Information. While in graduate school she embarked on a project that later bore fruition as the M.E.N.C.H. Project. This innovative program which was funded by the U.S. Department of Health Education and Welfare, trained young adults who were themselves labeled mentally retarded, to become co-teaching para-professionals in a program that offered self-esteem, social skills and sexual information to special education classes in San Francisco. The heart of the program is described in her Activity Guide entitled, "Feeling Good About Yourself" co-authored with her husband, Barry Blum, M.D. The fourth and latest edition of this book is distributed by Blue Tower Training Center.
She also produces the "Feeling Good Cards," a playful question-card game; a recording (CD or audio cassette) of her keynote presentation "Breaking Through the Social and Personal Barriers of Disappointment and Fear," from her workshop at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Canada; and a DVD entitled "I Can Say 'No!'", teaching the "Yes-No Process" to youngsters.
Gloria wrote a screenplay and stage play of "Jenny," an original drama, inspired by a true story about a young woman labeled mentally retarded who nevertheless decides to succeed and create a family of her own. The play won first prize in the Hilo Community Players Big Island Original Play Contest in 1990 and was then produced at the Aloha Theatre in 1991.
Gloria became a consultant for the Hawaii Association for Retarded Citizens, at the Kona Krafts Workshop (a sheltered workshop) in Kealakekua. In 1991, Gloria was the first President of the Board of Directors of The West Hawaii Fund, an Affiliated Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation. She was chosen Woman of Distinction for 1995 by Soroptimists International of Kona.
Barry Blum, M.D.
Barry Blum, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon and Medical Director of Kona Community Hospital. He has collaborated with Gloria on the projects and programs of Feeling Good Associates for over thirty years. The Blums’ first major project in Hawaii was to create the International Congress on Self-Esteem and Sex Education in 1988, co-sponsored by the John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii (Manoa). This seven-day conference had a faculty of over 43 speakers including professors, physicians, psychologists, scientists, therapists and educators from all over the world and was attended by 120 professionals.
Together, the Blums also serve as marriage officiants on Hawaii’s Big Island (Shaloha Weddings); perform in Kona’s Traveling Jewish Wedding Band, having produced “Shaloha Oy”, a unique CD of klezmer music Hawaiian style (reviewed online at Klezmer Shack); and they founded and performed in the Golden Gate Gypsy Orchestra of America & California also known as the Travelling Jewish Wedding, producing an album which later became a CD distributed by Rykodisc, selling over 75,000 copies.
Associates
Michelle J. Blum, LCSW
Michelle J. Blum, LCSW. A licensed clinical social worker with over 17 years of experience assisting adults living with severe mental illness including depression, trauma, bipolar disorder, anxiety and schizophrenia, adjusting to life changes and stresses of relationships, self-worth, grief/loss and substance use.
1130 S.W. Morrison St #240, Portland, OR 97205 Phone: (503) 939-0264 URL: www.blumtherapy.com
Richard Studer, MA, LMFT, LP, LICSW
Richard Studer MA, LMFT, LP, LICSW. A therapist since the late 1970's, Richard Studer has practiced and consulted in hospital, clinic and day treatment settings as well as in private practice in the Minneapolis/Twin Cities area. Bowen Family Systems Theory is at the core of his work with individuals, families and organizations. Mr. Studer holds professional membership in the Minnesota Psychological Association, is a Clinical member and Approved Supervisor in the American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy, is a Board Member for the Minnesota Society of Clinical Hypnosis; and a Clinical Member of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. Interpersonal Coaching & Consulting is dedicated to being realistic about people and relationships, and to making that information down-to-earth and useable.
Shelly Itman, MA. Shelly has taught in the St. Paul Public Schools, St. Paul, MN. for over 33 years. She has been a guest speaker at local colleges speaking on children and self-esteem. Shelly has had the honor of being nominated three times into Who's Who Among America's Teachers by three former honor students. Since her retirement she has mentored first and second year teachers in St. Paul. Shelly is now working as an adjunct faculty member to St. Thomas University, supervising teachers in the TQE program. She is also Gloria's little sister.
Alicia Bay Laurel is best known as the internationally lauded author, illustrator, designer of the best-selling, trend-setting, back to the land bible "Living on the Earth" (1970) and nine other illustrated bohemian books, Alicia Bay Laurel also makes her way as a singer-songwriter, Hawaiian slack-key guitar player, storyteller, wedding planner and visual artist.
