Nancy K. Montagna, Ph.D.

Dr. Montagna is a licensed clinical psychologist. She received a Ph.D. from Adelphi University's Derner Institute in 1974 and completed an internship with the University of Virginia Medical School, Department of Psychiatry. For three years she was on the associate staff of Pastoral Counseling and Consultation Centers and then continued with them as a consultant. She has been in private practice in Silver Spring since 1977 offering trainings several times a year in various aspects of emotional intelligence.

Dr. Montagna trained first in psychodynamic psychotherapy, then Gestalt, Core-Energetics (which integrates physical, emotional and spiritual approaches), cognitive therapy, emotional intelligence, and brief therapies such as hypnosis, EMDR, and NLP. Most recently she trained with Martin Seligman, noted researcher and author, in applying the results of research in Positive Psychology, the study of what makes people happy, resilient, and good. She has been interested in anything that is effective, regardless of theoretical background.

The mental health professions have learned much about the optimal care and functioning of human beings, and how relationships can be happy and productive. Research has demonstrated that there are skills and attitudes that can be learned leading to greater success and satisfaction. Dr. Montagna's mission, as psychotherapist and as a trainer is to pass on this knowledge through a process of positive discovery. Painful experiences can be integrated as lessons learned. All good experiences belong to us as resources with which we can create our future.

In 2002, with Robin Carnes, MBA, Dr. Montagna founded Pathways to Happiness ~ Learning, not Luck, a research-based program for making people happier. Happiness as 1) Pleasure and Positive feelings, certainly, but just as important are 2) Passionate engagement, 3) a sense of Purpose, and 4) Presence, through practice of mindfulness. (All expressed as P's to help you remember them.) Pathways to Happiness works with participants to integrate proven practices that increase happiness in all four areas. (see http://www.pathwaystohappiness.com for more information.)

She has been Volunteer Coordinator of the Helping Hands Craft Sale, a project that raises funds for empowering hungry and homeless people. She volunteers as consulting psychologist with International Partners (IP) http://www.internationalpartners.org/, a group that seeks to connect American resources of money and expertise with the needs of people in third world countries. IP seeks out the unsung Mother Theresas of the world in order to provide assistance. Dr. Montagna's particular focus within IP has been to train leaders in a program that is effective with domestic violence offenders and arrange for the program to be evaluated in various Latin American locations. She is an active member of the Washington Ethical Society, http://www.ethicalsociety.org.

Dr. Montagna has been married for thirty-nine years and is the mother of two young adults. She enjoys hiking, dancing, yoga, gardening, singing, improvisation, and, especially, the beauty of nature. She is interested in health, in prehistory, and in ancient history. She is 62 years old, appears much younger, and says, each year so far "life keeps getting better!?"

Summary of Professional Background

Licensed Clinical Psychologist since 1976

Ph.D., Adelphi University, 1974

Private Practice since 1977

Post-Doctoral Training:

Psychoanalytic, Brief Dynamic,

Cognitive, & Gestalt Psychotherapies Core Energetics (physical, emo-

tional, andspiritual integration)

Trauma Treatments (EMDR, EMI, etc)

NBCCH Certified Diplomate of:

· Ericksonian Hypnosis

· Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)

Reiki and ARCH Master

Authentic Happiness Coaching (Martin Seligman, Ph.D.)

Professional Affiliations

American Psychological Association
National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology
Psychologists for Social Responsibility
Maryland Psychological Association
National Board for Certified Clinical Hypnosis