ABOUT

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

SCHOOLS

Prior to being in private practice, I worked as a school social worker at several local schools, both public and private, including:

  • Hyde Park Day School, Grades 2-8, Northfield, IL
  • Edison School, Skokie/Morton Grove District 69, Grades 3-5, Skokie IL
  • New Trier High School, Freshman Campus, Northfield, IL
 

At these schools I worked with students individually and in groups on a variety of issues including school refusal, anxiety, depression, social skills, friendships, anger management, OCD, grief and loss, and ADHD.    We worked on developing coping skills and self-advocacy skills, and learned how to identify and regulate emotions.

In general education and special education classrooms, I taught social/emotional curriculum on skills that children need in every day life.  I also conducted student groups on social skills, coping skills, friendships, healthy competition, grief/loss and divorce.

A significant part of my work was to support students in Special Education,  and their families, in navigating Response to Intervention (RTI), Individual Education Plans (IEP), and Section 504 plans. I worked regularly with parents on student and family issues in order to support the success of their children, at school and outside of school too.

AGENCIES  

In addition to schools, I worked at several community agencies as a staff therapist including:

  • Family Service Center, Wilmette, IL
  • Insight Behavioral Health, Skokie, IL
  • Trilogy Behavioral Health, Chicago, IL 

 

At these community based agencies, I provided therapy for children, adolescents, adults and families, on issues including relationships, communication, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, grief/loss, divorce and family stress. I used a variety of therapy modalities to work with clients to uncover their strengths, improve their relationships, and identify their support systems in order to reach their goals.  

At Insight, I worked with children, adolescents and adults on issues related to body image and healthy eating, with underlying issues including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, relationship issues, and family stress. I conducted client groups and family groups and coordinated care with nutritionists, physicians and psychiatrists.

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS  

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, (LCSW), licensed in the state of Illinois.

UIC/Jane Addams School of Social Work, Chicago, IL.
MSW with Concentration in School Social Work. Type 73 Certification

Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
B.A. Psychology

Recently completed an intensive year-long course in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy offered by the Cleveland Center for Cognitive Therapy.

  

 

PARENT EDUCATION PRESENTATIONS

  • Meeting Your Children Where They Are:  Balancing Parent Expectations with their Childrens’ Strengths.
  • Navigating the Social Environment:  Social Skills Strategies for Children and Adults
  • Understanding the Resources Available at School to Support Student Success
  • Life Transitions: Helping Individuals and Families Handle Change
  • Executive Functioning: How to help your student get organized
  • ADHD: What is it and how can you recognize it?
  • Communicating with your Tween: Why is it so difficult?
  • Communication: How much information to share with children about family finances, illness, jobs and other life events. 
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
  • National Association of Social Workers
  • Illinois Association of School Social Workers
  • Staff Therapist, Camp Kesem, Augustana College and Northwestern University Chapters