Clinical Forensic Expert Witness

Expert Witness No.1719

Education

1996-2000, Child interview specialist professional development: received various national and local professional training, colloquia and seminars on topics such as child memory, suggestibility, linguistics, trauma, developmental, cultural and psychological considerations.

1998-1999, Completed a one-year postgraduate training program at the east side institute for social therapy, NTC.

1990, Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, Summa Cum Laude, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA

1991, Master of Education, Counseling Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA

1995, Master of Law and Social Policy, Master’s Thesis: Families in Crisis and State Intervention: Which Way to Empowerment, Postgraduate training in legal research and advocacy, Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA

Experience

2005–Present, Adjunct Professor, University, Philadelphia PA
Design and teach undergraduate courses in psychology and criminal justice

2005-Present, Forensic and Clinical Consultant, Freelance Consultant and Trainer, Pennsylvania and Delaware Valley Region
Conduct forensically sound clinical evaluations with children alleged to have been abused and traumatized for agencies contracted with Department of Human Services

Train professionals/consulting with organizations such as schools, mental heath agencies, and hospitals, on clinical and/or legal aspects of child abuse such as:

Dynamics of sexual and physical abuse, Childhood Trauma and treatment intervention, Reporting laws and procedures, Providing successful testimony, Working with child protective services and police, Developing and following ethically and forensically sound protocols for responding to suspicions of child abuse

1990–Present, Director, Private Psychotherapy Practice, The PA Centers for ST, Philadelphia and Horsham, PA
Maintain a private practice specializing in-group, family and adolescent therapeutic treatment.
Practice social therapy, a dynamic, creative developmentally based approach of therapeutic intervention, Conduct professional trainings on the creative social-therapeutic approach with children and families, Conduct child and adolescent mental health assessments to determine treatment planning, Provide short-term therapy via a contract with an in-house Employee Assistance
Program, ACCESS Counseling and Consulting Group

2004–Present, Co-Director, Counseling and Consulting Group LLC, EAP, Horsham & Philadelphia, PA
The company holds two contracts with local businesses employing ethnically and economically diverse populations,
Provide counseling, coaching and referral services to employees, supervisors and executives, Specializing in personalized service with local relationship to the companies, Successfully help employees and managers with an array of issues such as anxiety, stress, work relationships, burn out and productivity, drug and alcohol abuse as well as couples and family relationship dilemmas

1996-Present, Clinical and Forensic Specialist, Manager of Forensic Services, Multi-Agency Organization, Philadelphia, PA
Program management duties include: Hiring and training new program staff, Provide ongoing supervision and staff development opportunities, Create and implement new program/client service initiatives, Consult with executive director on personnel issues and policies, Conduct annual performance reviews of staff, Develop and implement internal policies and protocols to enhance productivity, quality of work and efficiencies.

Expert 1719 Train and supervise all child interview specialists, Conduct forensic interviews and mental health evaluations with children alleged to have been sexually or physically abused or having witnessed violence, Participate in and lead education and advocacy efforts to improve investigations and clinical interventions of children alleged to have been abused or traumatized. Lead local policy-making and reform efforts in relation to best practices in child abuse investigations, Conduct local and national training on clinical and forensic dynamics of childhood abuse and investigative interviewing of children, Facilitate multi-disciplinary team meetings, which include representatives from Police, district Attorney's Office, Department of Human Services and hospital personnel, Create and lead support groups for abused children and their family members, Provide expert testimony in civil and criminal and courts regarding child abuse trauma, memory and suggestibility, forensic linguistics, and analyzing children’s statements, Develop protocols and practices for successful coalition building amongst diverse and divergent organizations

1990-Present, Director, Private Psychotherapy Practice, Horsham, PA
Maintain a private practice specializing in-group, family and adolescent therapeutic treatment. Practice social therapy, a dynamic, creative developmentally based approach of therapeutic intervention, Conduct professional trainings on the creative social-therapeutic approach with children and families, Conduct child and adolescent mental health assessments to determine treatment planning, Provide short-term therapy via a contract with an in-house Employee Assistance Program, ACCESS Counseling and Consulting Group

2004-Present, Co-Director, Counseling Group, Horsham & Philadelphia, PA

The above company holds two contracts with local businesses employing ethnically and economically diverse populations, Provide counseling, coaching and referral services to employees, supervisors and executives, Specializing in personalized service with local

relationship to the companies, Successfully help employees and managers with an array of issues such as anxiety, stress, work relationships, burn out and productivity, drug and alcohol abuse as well as couples and family relationship dilemmas

1993-1996, In-Home Family Therapist, Helpline Center, Inc. Lansdale, PA
Provided family therapy, crisis intervention and general social service coordination to diverse caseload of families in their homes under the S.C.O.H. Program, Services to Children in their Own Homes, Performed family advocacy in child welfare and juvenile justice systems, Testified in family court on behalf of families.

1993, Psychiatric Social Worker/Family Therapist, Hospital, Lafayette Hills, PA
Provided family therapy for adolescents and their families on a specialized adoptive adolescent unit, Conducted initial Family Assessments, Performed Case Management duties and developed After-Care Plans with families, Maintained contact with community sources (schools and legal systems)

1992-1993, Psychiatric Social Worker, Clinic, Ambler, PA
Programmed aftercare services with patients, Facilitated various therapy groups and conducted marriage and family therapy, Performed psychosocial evaluations

1991-1992, Social Worker/Therapist, Saint Mary's Villa for Children, Ambler, PA
Managed caseload of resident children, Conducted individual therapy with the children and family therapy, Lead young adolescent therapy group, Advocate/liaison with community schools, Headed treatment planning teams, Supervised undergraduate and graduate students

1990-1991, Intern Therapist, Central Mental Health/Mental Retardation Center
Counseled children, adolescents, adults and families of multi-cultural and ethnic backgrounds, Performed psychosocial evaluations, Coordinated treatment planning and implementation for clients

1989-1991, Counselor, Silver Springs-Martin Luther School, Plymouth Meeting, PA
Provided general supervision of children in their residence, Lead therapeutic and recreational group activities

1989-1990, Intern Social Worker, Montgomery County Children and Youth, Norristown, PA
Conducted family interviews and home reviews with both perspective and established foster families, Placed children in appropriate foster homes, Prepared and updated case paperwork

1989-1990, Student Evaluator/Data Collector, Hahnemann University, Department of Mental Health Sciences, Philadelphia
Collected assessment data in inner-city elementary schools for the, Interpersonal Cognitive Problem Solving research project and program

Activities

Philadelphia Committee for Independent Culture
A multicultural community theater project for actors and non-actors alike

Philadelphia All Stars development programs for inner city youth
An award winning, leading anti-violence, supplemental education program

Member of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children

Member of the American Counseling Association and Pennsylvania Counseling Association

Member of the Montgomery County PA Counseling Association

Member of the Association of Group Therapists

Presentations

Available upon request