011313 Psychotherapist, Hypnotherapist Specialist

Professional Experience:

 Psychotherapist, Hypnotherapist: Private Practice  (1999 to present)

Individual and family therapy with children, adolescence and adults.  Specialization in grief, loss, trauma and fertility counseling. Expert Witness for cases dealing with wrongful death, and divorce issues for Family and State Court providing assessments, evaluation, depositions, and expert testimony. Crisis responder and trainer. Providing critical incident stress debriefing.

Psychotherapist, Palm Beach Fertility Center (2005 in house; currently as referrals to private practice)

Provided counseling for patients undergoing In Vitro Fertilization, as well as a served as a referral and consultant for patients and families coping with pregnancy loss, depression, anxiety, and various fertility issues. Complete mental health Screenings and testing as necessary for intended parents, donors and surrogates.

Adjunct Faculty, Florida Atlantic University (Summer 2003 -2006 and as needed)

Graduate Course: Grief and Bereavement Course, Issues in Mental Health Counseling Undergraduate Course: Women and Counseling

Consultant, The Center for Group Counseling, Boca Raton, FL (2000 to 2002)

Expert Witness:

• January 2023 Hinshaw Law (Designation, Retained, Case Review)

• March 15, 2022 Ferrainolo Law Group (Designation and Retained)

• February 26, 2003 Ritter, Chusid, Bivona & Cohen (Case Review and Deposition)

• June, 2005 Lytal, Reiter, Clark, Fountain & Williams (Case Review and Deposition)
• August 2007 Ratiner and Lagos (Case Review and Deposition)

Work Experience:

Psychosocial Coordinator

Hospice By The Sea, Boca Raton, FL (October 1998 to June 1999)

• Provide administrative and clinical supervision to fifteen social workers and chaplains
• Serve on committees such as policy and procedure, utilization review, and management
• Participate in community outreach and presentations
• Provide training and seminars

Social Worker

Hospice Care of Broward, Ft. Lauderdale, FL (March 1997 to October 1998)

• Member of interdisciplinary team to provide psychosocial support to patients/families
• Actively involved in the development of adolescent grief program

Bereavement Coordinator

Hospice of Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach, Florida (May 1996 to March, 1997)

• Program development and implementation of Horizons Bereavement Center
• Supervision of 4 staff members
• Facilitated intakes and support groups for adults, children, and teens
• Marketing and public relations
• Led presentations to professionals, educators, and general public
• Member of Grief Collaborative in Palm Beach County
• Wrote policies and procedures
• Coordinated and implemented children’s bereavement camp

Aftercare Counselor/School Outreach Coordinator

The Mount Carmel Hospice, Columbus, Ohio (1992 to April 1996)

• Assessed families to determine risk for complicated mourning, and developed plan of care
• Provided bereavement support/counseling for children and adults
• Developed, coordinated, implemented, and evaluated the school outreach program for grieving students
• Assisted with coordination of the Evergreen Program for grieving children and their families and facilitated the teenage support group, as well as an adult bereavement group
• Admitted patients into hospice program, and was member of interdisciplinary team
• Provided psychosocial support to patient and family

Mental Health Worker

Timberlawn Psychiatric Hospital, Dallas, Texas (1991)

• Responsible for adolescent girls in in-patient care unit and facilitated group discussions
• Assisted during crisis situations
• Participated in discharge planning with interdisciplinary team

Contractual Work: Overlay Therapist

Henderson Mental Health Center, Fort Lauderdale, FL 1998

• Therapist for children and families at risk

Social Work Intern

Children’s Hospital Guidance Center, Columbus, Ohio (1993-1994)

• Completed assessment and developed treatment plans for children and families
• Provided individual and family counseling for children ages preschool through high school
• Participated in case review with interdisciplinary team

Volunteer Experience:

• Volunteer Group Facilitator: National Anorexic Aid Society, Columbus, Ohio (1992-1993)
• Past President, Current Board Member, Chesed: Hadassah Social Work/Mental Health Professional Council: Florida Atlantic Region
• Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, FL
• Prior member of the Board of Trustees, Temple Beth El, Boca Raton, FL
• Current Board Member of Professionals United for Parkland, (PU4P)

Education:

Masters in Social Work, June, 1994

The Ohio State University, Columbus

Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology, December, 1990

University of Texas at Austin

Credentials:

 Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Florida 1996         SW0004549

Certified Hypnotherapist, 2000

EMDR trauma trained

Certified in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C) 2020

Publication:

 Understanding the Journey: A Lifespan Approach to Working with Grieving People (2019).

Media/Podcasts invitations:

“Shrinking Jeff Meechum” on Meeting Tom Cruise June 2, 2021

“Holding Space for Grieving and Mourning” on The Good Counsel Podcast, March 1, 2022

“An (Unpolished) Deep Dive into Death” on Unpolished Therapy Podcast, Feb. 8, 2023

Professional Membership:

• National Association of Social Work
• Association of Death Education and Counseling
• Florida Society of Oncology Social Workers
• American Society for Reproductive Medicine
• International Association of Trauma Professionals
• Florida Society of Clinical Hypnosis
• Resolve
• Postpartum Support International
• EMDRIA

Specialization:

• Clinician, Lecturer and Trainer on Grief, Loss, Fertility and Perinatal Mental Health
• Trained at the Center for Loss and Life Transition with Alan Wolfelt, Ph.D. Ft. Collins, CO
• Qualified Supervisor for Licensure

Honors:

• Woman of Valor 2004: Chesed: Social Work/Mental Health Professional Council Florida Atlantic Region of Hadassah
• Hadassah Leadership Award, 2005