Steven E. Handwerker Ph.D. D.Div
Steven Handwerker received his doctorate degree from New York University and post-doctoral certification from Hofstra University. He is licensed in psychology in N.Y. (’84), Florida (’96), and South Dakota (2000). He began his practice as head of Psychological Services at "The Wholistic Health Center" in Manhasset N.Y., an institution that he helped found and develop into a college offering degrees in the study of Alternative medicine, now located in Syosset, N.Y.
Dr. Handwerker has 50 years of experience working with individuals, couples and families. He is the Founder and Chairperson of the International Association for the Advancement of Human Welfare, Inc a 501-c-3 not for profit (est. 1997).
Since 1970, Dr. Handwerker has worked with as a corporate consultant and with PIs and Security Professionals to help them better detect, intervene, and prevent workplace violence and addiction issues.
Dr. Handwerker was the first Chairman of Membership for the Division of Peace Psychology of the American Psychological Association. In 1996 he founded “The Spirituality and Humanitarian Practices Working Group” of that division.
Dr. Handwerker is a member of the Scientific and Professional Board for the National Center for Crisis Management, a division of Homeland Security.
Since 1996 he has worked to create paradigms for peace, fostering humanitarian and sustainable interventions in devastated communities and building creating paradigms for Inter-Faith dialogue, promoting harmony within and between the Faiths with the intention of creating and supporting greater stability within communities globally.
In 2000, to enhance the efficacy in these peacebuilding and conflict resolution efforts, Dr. Handwerker attained Licensure as a Supreme Court Mediator.
Dr. Handwerker has authored six books and many articles on peace and esoteric/wholistic psychology. He lectures regularly at APA conventions (over 200 programs in the past 27 years) as well as at local colleges and interfaith organizations. His lectures topics focus on Peace, Humanitarian and Sustainable Interventions and Paradigms, and Humanistic Psychology.
Dr. Handwerker, has achieved the level of Sixth Degree Black Belt (Yuk Dan) in Tang Soo Do. He is a Reiki master and continues to serve requests for healing through Reiki internationally. He and his wife Michelle have been married since ‘74. They have two children Diana and Lucas, both of whom are engaged in healing and peacebuilding professions.
Michelle J. Handwerker PhD, CAAT, D.Div
Since 1975, Michelle Handwerker has been an advanced practitioner of Amma Therapeutic Massage (an ancient healing art based on the principles of the science of acupuncture). She lived and apprenticed with a healing sensitive from the age of 18 for 17dedicated years. She and her husband Steve were instrumental in the founding and development of "The Wholistic Health Center" and “The Institute for Self Development” est. 1975 in Manhasset New York.
After leaving a cloistered life, Michelle expanded her ability to be of service to the health and well-being of those who sought guidance seeking. In 2000 she achieved a Ph.D. in Wholistic Nutrition. Her current practice is dedicated to women and features Wholistic consultation with emphasis on mind/body balance. Since ’96, Dr. Handwerker has concentrated her focus on the significance of Women's Circles as a powerful tool in the process of health and healing.
Her life’s work has been a dedicated spiritual practice, for which she has been awarded a D.Div
Since ’72, she has trained in martial arts hard and soft, she attained a black belt in Tang Soo Do karate, and she practices Tai Chi daily.
Michelle and her husband Steve have been in a loving marital relationship since '74. They are the parents of two adult children, who currently work in their own unique venues focused on supporting health and greater peace in the world.