Who Is Diane Annie Mathias, MA?
Diane Mathias, MA is affectionately known to her friends as Annie. Annie was born and grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She is frequently called a renaissance woman because she is a published writer, artist, musician, seasoned guest speaker and facilitator. God’s grace, compassion, creativity and skill are the tapestry for her lifework.
Annie’s superpower is to encourage and offer healing for “the wounded writer.” Her joy is to help those who are shy or hesitant. She has helped many students over the decades “release the writer within.”
She will tell you that her life-training course has been the experiential walking in the midst of many life transitions. Mathias graduated from Chapman University with a master’s degree in psychology. “We are always offered a chance to grow and move forward”, she explains. Annie teaches in this fashion.
As a published author and international teacher, Mathias’ passion for writing is evident. Annie offers individual consultations for writers as well as numerous online writing classes and workshops to those who desire to develop their own writing styles and authentic voices. Her online classes offer safety and creative, interactive inspiration to all ages and levels of experience.
Mathias may tell you how she was greatly inspired by The Inklings, a literary group that included J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. She created a membership site for a community of writers. The Writers’ Club is a deep and overflowing “watering hole” of interactive support, learning and true camaraderie.
Mathias has worked in the field of bereavement for decades. She has been invited to cities throughout the United States to speak to the bereaved as well as pastors/caregivers on the topic of bereavement and difficult loss. She continues this role as professional guest speaker.
Mathias has taught and founded writing classes for over 30 years. She created and taught Healing Words for the Bereaved at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, CA. In this, participants learned how writing is used as a powerful healing modality to express and walk through the grieving process. Not only did Annie teach about grief, she taught about how to live the “what’s next” transitional phase of life. For years, people gathered on weekly basis to write, to share, and to be heard. Annie also founded and taught Healing Words, a class/support for people living with cancer.
As a Native American Flute player, Annie also pioneered using music to soothe and bring peace on hospital floors for the ill and the dying. She has taught Native American style flute to many, teaching her students to find their voice in the music.
Art is also an important expression in Mathias’ life.
Annie’s Shop offers her art, including:
