Jo Pittman

K - S

Dec 23

Jo Pittman is a sea otter-loving licensed school and mental health counselor, as well as a board-certified music therapist. She spent a summer in Southeast Alaska, where she encountered several sea otters whose playful, sensitive nature helped her navigate her own journey with chronic illness. These experiences inspired the creation of the character Sandy the Sea Otter, the star of Sandy Writes Her Story.

Drawing from her lived and professional experience with invisible chronic illness, Jo incorporates principles of bibliotherapy—using stories as tools for healing, identity development, and emotional expression—to support others in writing and telling their stories. A passionate school and mental health counselor and music therapist, Jo believes in the power of social-emotional learning and creative expression to help individuals grow, connect, and thrive.

Jo earned her master’s degree in School and Mental Health Counseling from the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education and her bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy from the University of Miami. She has worked in a variety of educational settings, including K–12 public schools and an independent special education school, where she taught and provided music therapy services. She also completed a clinical internship at a private mental health practice in Washington, DC. Grateful to have diverse professional experiences, Jo’s approach to counseling is integrative, rooted in the belief that there is no “one size fits all” approach to providing support.

Originally from Michigan, Jo enjoys cooking, knitting, playing music, and going on long walks with friends and family.

Visit her website: www.otterslanding.org.