Phyllis’s professional career began in the field of speech therapy. More recently, Dr. Meltzer participated on the professional education staffs of the Smithsonian Institution, the National Gallery of Art, USC and UCLA. Her educational attainments are reflected in the Tapestry: BA (UCLA), MS in adult learning (Virginia Polytechnic Institute), MSG in gerontology (University of Southern California), Ph.D. in Occupational Science (University of Southern California). 

Her research with nontraditional students has since expanded to include older adults, people with impairments, and younger college students interested in studying life-span development and life-review. She is often asked to provide guidance for professionals in effectively using the Self-Discovery Tapestry with clients and students.  Following a lifelong practice in textiles — sewing, weaving, and quilting — Dr. Meltzer applied her knowledge of creating fabric to creating the means for others to express their own colorful life-reviews. 

The Self-Discovery Tapestry has been used by more than 7,000 persons, many of whom use it for practice and research in universities, therapy, career and personal counseling in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Japan.

Articles:

Occupational Profile:  From Art to Science: A Personal Odyssey with the Self-Discovery (288 kb)

Teaching Gerontology Using the Self-Discovery Tapestry: An Innovative Instrument (1.1 mb)

Using the Self-Discovery Tapestry to Explore Occupational Careers (156 kb)