Resumé
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
An astute clinical social worker and author with more than ten years professional experience. Enthusiastic presentation style reflects a thoughtful and positive approach to understanding learning disabilities in adults; a thorough understanding of subject matter; and the knowledge and desire to perceptively tailor programs that support individual learning modalities. Specific strengths include:
• Recognizing impasses and creating bypasses to empower innate potential.
• Designing educational programs that motivate curiosity and creative thinking.
• Developing programs that enhance knowledge about learning disabilities in adults.
EDUCATION
Doctor of Philosophy, Institute for Clinical Social Work, Chicago
Dissertation: “Imprisoned Intelligence: The Discovery of Undiagnosed Learning Disabilities in Adults” 1992
Master of Arts, The University of Chicago, The School of Social Service Administration, 1981
Bachelor of Music Education, Roosevelt University, 1963
PUBLICATIONS
Smart but Stuck: How Resilience Frees Imprisoned Intelligence from Learnning Disabilities Second Edition The Haworth Press 2007
Smart but Stuck: Emotional Aspects of Learning Disabilities and Imprisoned Intelligence The Haworth Press 2001
“Resilience: The Antidote to Shame” Newsletter of theMental Health Association of the North Shore 39(4) 2005
“Thoughts on Traumatic Learning Failure” (with Fred Levin, M.D.) The Educational Therapist 14(2) 2003
“The Emotional Impact of Repeated Cognitive Failure on the Evolving Sense of Self and Kohut’s Tension Arc” (with Fred Levin, M.D.) Psychoanalytic Social Work2001 (2002)
“Picking Up the Clues: Understanding Undiagnosed Learning Disabilities, Shame, and Imprisoned Intelligence” Journal of College Student Psychotherapy15(2) 2000
EXPERIENCE
Clinician
Clinical Social Worker, Evanston, Illinois
Facilitated psychotherapeutic experiences by empathically diagnosing and treating adolescents, young adults, and adults with learning disabilities. 1985 – present.Supervisor, Participated in group supervision for Psy. D. and social work students at The Ark in Chicago. 1993 – present
Presenter
Presenter, Trinity College “Smart but Stuck: Emotional aspects of learning disabilities and imprisoned intelligence” November 2006
Co-Presenter, The 28th Annual International Conference of the Association of Educational Therapists “Promoting inner experiences of resilience in persons with learning disabilities 2006 Boston, Mass.
Co-Presenter, The 29th Annual International Conference on The Psychology of the self “Learning disabilities and psychoanalytic treatment of adults 2006 Chicago, Illinois
Presenter, International Conference Learning Disability Association of America “Smart but stuck: Confusion, Alienation, and Humiliation when Learning Attempts Fail.” 2004 Atlanta, Georgia
Presenter, Jewish Family and Community Service
“Smart but Stuck: Emotional Aspects of Learning Disabilities and Imprisoned Intelligence.” 2001Presenter, Madison Area Technical College “The Emotional Consequences of Learning Disabilities” 2001 Madison, Wis.
Presenter, Illinois International Dyslexia Association Conference “Learning Disabilities, Shame, and Imprisoned Intelligence” 2000
Workshop Leader, International Conference for the Advancement of Private Practice in Clinical Social Work “Picking Up the Clues: Understanding Undiagnosed Learning Disabilities, Shame, and Imprisoned Intelligence 2000 Scottsdale, Arizona
Workshop Leader, Association of School Social Workers Presented topic “Imprisoned Intelligence: The Plight of the Smart but Inconsistent Learner.” 1993
In-Service Trainer, Winnetka Family Service Delivered paper on “Imprisoned Intelligence” to professional staff. 1993
Instructor, DePaul University, Chicago
Provided in-service training to PLUS program teachers, a diagnostic and tutorial service assisting students with learning disabilities. 1992
Educator
Instructor, Oakton Community College
Taught Psychology 101 a college level course for freshman. 1999-2000Instructor, Institute for Clinical Social Work, Chicago
Co-lead two continuing education courses with Joseph Palombo, M.A. “The Treatment of Adults with Undiagnosed Learning Disabilities.” 1997-1998Instructor, Institute for Clinical Social Work, Chicago
Taught “Shame in a Self-Psychological setting” a continuing education course integrating affect theory with treatment. 1994-1996Facilitator, Institute for Clinical Social Work, Alumni Association. Co-leading an ongoing support group for Ph.D. candidates. 1994 to present
Instructor, The Institute for Clinical Social Work, Chicago
“Imprisoned Intelligence” Lectured on how undiagnosed
learning disabilities can create impasses in therapy. 1992
CERTIFICATIONS
L.C.S.W., Academy of Certified Social Workers, 1991
B.C.D., Association of Board Examiners, 1991
Q.C.S.W., National Association of Social Workers, 1991
AFFILIATIONS
Board Member, Mental Health Association of the North Shore
National Association of Social Workers
Illinois Society for Clinical Social Work
Learning Disability Association
Mental Health Association of Evanston
Professional Musician: Chicago Symphony Chorus
Grant Park Chorus, Lyric Opera Chorus