Diane Kurtz Calabrese
About The Author
Diane Calabrese has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
After earning an associate degree in liberal arts from Nassau Community College in 1989, Ms. Calabrese obtained a Bachelor of Science in therapeutic recreation from Saint Joseph's College and a Master of Science in health care policy and management from Stony Brook University. While at Stony Brook University Diane served on various boards including the Mental Health Advisory board, and the Healthier U board including the programming and budget subcommittee.
Ms. Calabrese gained valuable expertise in the field of recreational therapy working as a therapist for South Oaks Hospital, Skills Unlimited-Success Day Training, The Family Service League, and the Multiple Sclerosis Society. While consulting with the organizations Adults and Children with Learning Disabilities and Disabilities and East End Disabilities, Diane served as a consultant for their after-school programs assessing special needs children for through their school districts IEP that is determined at the Committee for Special Education for services. Diane has also taught health education for Upper Room Christian School and worked as a substitute teacher for Middle Country School District. In recent years, Diane worked in higher Education for FIU, and as a recreational therapist for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, from which she recently retired.
Ms. Calabrese continues to excel as an adjunct professor for Florida International University. She continues to teach numerous classes there–since 2014. She has certified two courses through Quality Matters- https://www.qualitymatters.org/reviews-certifications/course-design-reviews. (LEI3542: Principles of Parks, Recreation and Sports Management, and LEI3723 Assistive Technology Lab course.) Diane has also taught LEI4705: Program Planning in Recreational Therapy, and currently teaches LEI4720/6726 Trends, Issues, and Managerial Aspects of Recreational Therapy as well as two holistic healing labs: LEI3723 Reiki Lab and LEI3723 Aromatherapy Lab.
Due to her considerable breadth of knowledge, she is also an author, having written such works as "Creative Expressions: Using Art with the Psychiatric Population" and "Mind, Body, Spirit and Discovering the Purpose of Life," a self-help book that shares her experiences in spirituality and professional life, providing insight into how holistic healing modalities can be integrated into therapy for people who struggle with disabilities including mental health and substance abuse problems or for the general public. More can be found about her written works at https://dianecalabrese.com. Diane's new book Meditations for the Mind-Body-Spirit, was released 4/7/2022 through Balboa Press publications and bookstore as well as worldwide distribution–this will be an audiobook as well--it is also in the Hay House catalog.
Diane has been certified by the National Council of Therapeutic Recreation since 1992. Ms. Calabrese has been honored for her outstanding work with an Award for General Excellence through Stony Brook University and an award from Quality Matters for certifying courses in assistive technology laboratory and recreation and sports management. In a career that has been filled with highlights, she is incredibly proud of working with patients, teaching, and writing "Mind, Body, Spirit and Discovering the Purpose of Life." Looking toward the future, she aims to complete her second book, which shares guided meditations that have helped in her practice as a recreational therapist. Ms. Calabrese would love to keep writing and increasing her online presence through podcasting with a focus on holistic healing methods.