At-A-Glance
I am often struck by how easily we accept the knowledge and skill of people based on letters that follow your name. I think that if you are going to work with me, or entrust your children to work with me, you have a right to know my professional credentials, and then some. Here it is in a nutshell.
Work History – Current
Work History – Past
Education and Training
Publications
Honors
Hobbies
Licensure
Work History- Current
As you can see I like to mix it up. Yet all these things are connected. The teaching I do makes me a better therapist, as does the research work. I am constantly learning from all I do.
– Private Practice Great Oak Counseling, Behavioral Health Therapist and business owner, November, 2014 to present. Provide mental health services to children, adolescents and adults in a private practice setting. See Great Oak Counseling.
– Wayne State University, Adjunct Professor, School of Social Work, August, 2011 to present. Provide instruction to advanced Master level students in the area of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I am currently developing a course on Trauma Informed Clinical Care.
Work History – Past
As you can see I have worked with all ages, in a lot of differing roles. I did not add the toy store (a blast!), nor working in the stacks at the Detroit Public Library’s main branch (a reader’s dream), nor The Detroit Science Center (where I presented the movie). I mention them now because I believe all of our experiences teach us something, and I learned how to love toys, explore a vast store of books and how to speak in front of large groups of people from them. Those jobs have served me well over the years.
– Evan B. Donaldson Institute, Project Lead, November 2014 to February 2017. Collaborate with the Institute and Research staff to implement the Options Counseling Initiatives under the Lynn Franklin Fund.
– Care House, Macomb County, Clinical Coordinator, November, 2012 – July, 2014. Develop and manage all clinical services.
– Care House, Macomb County, Counselor/Family Advocate, May 2012 – November 2012. Provide mental health and crisis intervention services to clients and their families.
– Catholic Social Services of Oakland County, Graduate Intern Supervisor, July, 2008 to August, 2012. Provide orientation, individual and group instruction and supervision to graduate interns.
– Catholic Social Services of Oakland County, Staff Therapist, June, 2006 to July 2014. Provide individual, family, and group therapy to children, adolescents, adults, families and couples.
– The University Center for the Child and the Family, Intern, September, 2004 to April, 2006. Provide individual, family and group therapeutic services to children, adolescents, families and couples.
– Insight: Open Adoption Resources and Support, Director, January, 2001 – December, 2012
Founder and Director of a non-profit organization that provided training, support and resources on open adoption.
– R-Squared Press, Owner/Publisher, 1994 to 2001:
Write, edit, design, produce, advertise and distribute materials on open adoption issues of my own authorship and that of other nationally recognized writers.
– Citizens for Better Care, Assistant Program Director, 1987 – 1992:
Advocate on behalf of residents in long-term care facilities via a case management model.
– Hospice of Michigan (formerly Hospice of Southeastern Michigan, Nursing Assistant, 1980 to 1986: Provided both in-patient and home nursing care to terminally ill patients. Also provided support to caregivers of terminally ill patients.
Education and Training
I have attended quite a number of trainings. I love to learn. Here are a couple of really important trainings and my education.
EMDR 3-Day Intensive Training: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, 2015
International Association of Trauma Professionals Training, 2008 and 20014
National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, Clinical Trauma Specialist (CTS), Level One, 2009/Level Two, Pending exam.
M.S.W., University of Michigan School of Social Work, Ann Arbor, MI, 2006. Major: Interpersonal Practice with Children and Youth. Certificate: School Social Work.
B.A., Oakland University, Rochester, MI.1987. Major: Psychology, Concentration: Gerontology
Publications
– A Gift of Myself, 2000
– A Birthparent’s Book of Memories, 2000
– Your Rights and Responsibilities: For expectant parents exploring adoption, 1999 – Pocket Guide
– Birthparent Grief, 1999 – Pocket Guide
– Being a Birthparent: Finding our place, 1999 – Pocket Guide
– What is Open Adoption, 1999 – Pocket Guide
– A Birthmother’s Book of Memories, 1994
– Contributor – Adoption in the Schools, 2001
– Contributor – Opposing Viewpoints: Adoption, 2006
Honors
2013 – Wayne State University, School of Social Work – Part-Time Teacher of the Year Award
2010 – Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW)
2004 – Congressional “Angel in Adoption” Award
2001 – Recipient of the Baran & Pannor Award for Outstanding Contributions in Open Adoption
1997 – Recipient of the Spirit of Open Adoption Award
Hobbies
I love to do a lot of things in my spare time including art/craft projects, hiking, reading, cooking and eating chocolate.
Licensure
I am licensed as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Georgia and a Licensed Master of Social Work – Clinical Specialty (LMSW) in Michigan.