JOHN P. MCQUEEN, EdS, LCSW, CFLE
Center For Psychotherapy 123 Linden Blvd.# 103, Brooklyn, NY 11226-3302 Phone: (718) 940-2812 Fax: (718) 940-4610 john@center-for-psychotherapy.com
Currently: Private Practice, Author, Poet, Educator, Teacher, Trainer, Field Instructor, Consultant, Therapist and Founding Director and President of Family Renaissance, Inc & Center for Psychotherapy Former: Program Consultant of Family Service Network of New York, Inc. Harm Reduction Program (1998 - 2007)

EDUCATION:

• Bachelors Degree in Social Work
• Graduated Magna Cum Laude
• Master's Degree in Clinical Social Work, 1989
• Fellowship from Long Island Jewish Medical Center

Post Graduate:

• State of New York Certified Clinical Social Worker Licensure
• Basic and Advanced Training in Family Life Education at Andrews University Berrien Springs Michigan (CFLE)
• Education Specialist (Ed.s) – Andrews University
• Certification - Mediation & Conflict Resolution
• Certification - Domestic Violence prevention and corrective intervention

SUMMARY OF EXPERIENCE:

For over twenty-five years, John has been conducting workshops and giving lectures throughout the United States, Canada and the English speaking Caribbean in areas such as parent effectiveness training, cultural competency, self-actualization, and family life education. John is nationally recognized for his work with the black family, in particular, the black male. He is a pioneer in the development of rites of passage programs and a black family specialist. He works with individuals, couples, groups and children (including teenagers).

In 1991, John’s research on black fathering at the Andrews University germinated or gave birth to the Imani Rites of Passage. Mr. McQueen is Founder of Family Renaissance, Inc. a not- for- profit organization where he continued the work began at Andrews University. He is the President of Redemption Christian Center, Center for Psychotherapy and Father Absent Network. He also developed and has been implementing Imani Rites Of Passage program, an innovative therapeutic and recreational program which addresses the interrelated academic and emotional needs of children. Through these instruments Mr. McQueen has helped thousands of children and adults in their quest for psychological and spiritual development. His work aims at improving lives, strengthening families and building communities. To these ends, he has helped to change the lives of thousands of under-served individuals and their families with specific, measurable results, at times in the face of intractable human challenges.

Mr. McQueen is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, a certified Family Life Educator, a Mental Health Harm Reduction Specialist, and Educator. He received his formal education at York Collage, Adelphi and Andrews Universities. Many schools, churches and civic organizations in the United States, Canada and Caribbean have used John as a consultant, trainer, keynote speaker or workshop facilitator. John has presented training workshops, consulting, or keynote speeches for the following universities, institutes and organizations:

Kingsborough SDA Men’s Ministry- Brooklyn, New York

Family Life International Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan

Braziers Estate - Nevis West Indies

CARICA & Family Renaissance, Inc - Grenada West Indies

GMAP, Inc. – Williamsburg Virginia

IS 244

IS 285

IS 171

Westing House High School

Bushwich High School

Brooklyn Tech High School

Borough of Manhattan Community College

Children’s Colony

Brooklyn Tabernacle

Family Service Network of New York

North Eastern Conference of SDA

Columbia University, NY

Grace Christian Church of S.D.A.

Redemption Christian Center

Before entering private practice, John worked as caseworker, administrator, supervisor, and psychotherapist in various mental health and protective/preventive service settings. He was a clinician at Long Island Jewish Medical Center; a research assistant to the chairman of the Family Life Education Department at Andrews University and taught a course at Andrews University School of Education. He was also a therapist at Brooklyn Bureau of Community Services; and a therapist at Family Services Network of New York’s Harm Reduction Program. He is active in the Flatbush area as a community leader for civic groups and an advocate for youth.

In Brooklyn, John is instrumental in developing and implementing Afro-Therapy, a culturally-sensitive therapeutic model for responding to the unique needs of people of African descent. He also developed Thoughtful Optimism, a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and the strength perspective model of psychotherapy. As a Certified Field Instructor, John provides internship opportunities to students in colleges and universities. He also conducts year-round training for selected social workers who are interested in the goal of learning the theory and practice of Afro-Therapy and Thoughtful Optimism in the context of Psycho-educational processes.

Currently, he directs his own not-for-profit organization, Family Renaissance, Inc in Brooklyn, New York. Family Renaissance conducts workshops throughout the United States and specializes in improving the lives of “at risk” children and their families.

BOOKS AND ARTICLES:

John is the author of Father’s Absence Soul Searching Poems from the heart of a Psychotherapist. It is a comprehensive look at the impact of a father’s absence on children. Triumph Over Adversity (The Journey: From Slavery to Freedom - manuscript). It highlights John’s seminal work on Afro-Therapy, his new approach to Soul-Based Psychotherapy. It is a call for healing ourselves and helping others to heal themselves from the vestiges of chattel slavery. Rites of Passage: An Innovative Approach - manuscript. It is intended to be a manual for parents, teacher, and mentors; adults who are interested in the goal of helping children transition from one stage of development to the next.

John has also authored and co-authored several articles on psycho-spiritual development for national and local magazines, journals and newspapers throughout her career. His most recent article, An Afro-centric Program as Primary Prevention for African American Youth was published in the Journal of primary Prevention (2004). The article established the need for effective preventative interventions for youth behavior problems in African American communities. His publication in Kuji Magazine (2003) is entitled "The Impact of a Father’s Absence.”

AREAS OF SPECIALIZED TRAINING:

Supervised training in group work, Domestic violence prevention and corrective training; Mental health specialist training in working with deinstitutionalized patients and post traumatic stress disorder; Training in individual and Family Therapy; Training in systems theory and conflict resolution/mediation models; School-aged director’s training; Training in holistic Health; Post-graduate training in field supervision; qualification for Psychotherapy Licensure in New York.

TELEVISION AND RADIO:

John was featured in numerous articles/media including WLIP, WNWK, Caribbean Classroom, BCAT, Carib Life, Carib News, Daily News, Canarsie Courier, Daily Challenge, Amsterdam News and Kuji Magazine. John McQueen has also received several commendations for outstanding professional work and community service. These awards were received from The Brooklyn Borough Presidents, Washington Times Foundation, The Comptroller of New York City, The City Council, Family Services Network of New York, and Redemption Christian Center.

AFFILIATIONS:

• Redemption Christian Center (Board member)
• Father Absence Network (Board member)
• Family Renaissance, Inc. (Board member)
• National Association of Social Workers
• Medgar Evers College, School of Social Work (Advisory Board)

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Center For Psychotherapy @ Family Renaissance, Inc. 123 Linden Blvd, Brooklyn, NY 11226

(Lorraine Oudkerk, Manager. Responsibilities include scheduling of all appointments and events)

(718)940-2812, Fax (718) 940-4610

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