LISSI SENEWAY
LMHC, CAP, ICADC
Lissi is an internationally published poet, a psychotherapist, and a professor. She has devoted her career to the study of the human condition. She seeks to tap into every emotion of her readers, from joy, peace, and love to anger, grief, and devastating sadness. Lissi believes that we have to feel to remember we are alive.
Publications include Reverie Street (Chatham College), Collage (Middle Tennessee State University), The Nightingale Poetry Journal, and international anthologies PS: It’s Still Poetry Volume II (Poetry Soup) and Matter II: Volume II (Oprelle Publishing). Her literary influences are Edgar Allan Poe, Sylvia Plath, Robert Frost, and lyricists Scott Weiland and Nikki Sixx.
Lissi obtained her Master of Science in mental health and substance abuse counseling from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. As an undergraduate at Florida Atlantic University’s Honors College, she earned her Baccalaureate degree in psychology with minors in sociology and women’s studies, graduating as a member of Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Society. She is a licensed psychotherapist, a Certified Addiction Professional in the state of Florida, and an Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor.
Lissi has dedicated her career to working with men and women struggling with mood disorders, substance abuse, unresolved trauma, family issues, and relationship conflict. She has worked in behavioral health for the past 23 years.
An adjunct college professor, Lissi has taught psychology, human growth and development, and sociology at the College of Health and Allied Development, guest lectured on substance abuse at South University, and guest lectured on psychopharmacology at the Rochester Institute of Technology. She has trained a multitude of mental health and substance abuse providers in Palm Beach County.
Lissi appeared on A&E’s “Intervention” as a treating clinician, was featured on West Palm Beach Channel 5 News “Making a Difference” and was featured in Social Work Today as an expert on pregnant and post-partum women with substance abuse disorders. Professional affiliations include the American Counseling Association and the National Association of Professional Women. Lissi was also a Member of Palm Beach Women’s Chamber of Commerce and has been a keynote speaker at community and networking events.
A Letter To My Readers
I write about the dark side of emotional and psychological conditions, about love, and about the natural world. You may see something in a poem about addiction that sparks pain, while someone else reading the same piece they feel comfort in the fact that they are not alone. One of my haiku about love may bring about nostalgia, a smile, a faster heartbeat, or a bittersweet memory. My nature haiku might make you pause and reflect on the simple beauty of the world, your relationship with a higher power, or a recollection of a joyful time.
I want to tap into all emotion – anger, sadness, fear, joy, exaltation, frustration, peace. I believe we have to feel to remember we’re alive, that the present moment is what we have. Our past can shape our present. We may need to face pieces of our past head on and plow through the pain. We may need to look our partner in the eye and tell them how much we love them. We may need to connect with nature or higher power to remember why we’re here. My prayer is that my poetry inspires you to reaffirm your commitment to yourself or a loved one, to encourage you to stay true to your purpose, or to get the necessary help.
Life is not meaningless. I know on a cellular level this wondrous, traumatic, glorious, sad, scary, unexplainable thing called life is divinely designed. Embrace the moment. Smile at a stranger. Kiss your lover. Hug your child. Cry your eyes out. Scream at the top of your lungs. Forgive. Be careful to not get caught in the grind of everyday life. Do what brings you joy. Heal your wounds. And above all, don’t quit and don’t say stuck. We all have the instinct to survive, and we have the option to thrive. So thrive, my friends. Forge ahead. Tap into the power within you and the power all around. Take it all in and allow yourself to feel your feelings, see your truth, that your voice be heard.
If no one has told you today that you can do this, whatever your “this” is, allow me. You can. You are badass. You are strong. You are awesome.
Be blessed,
Lissi Seneway Santana