|
EDUCATION:
MA IN COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY, specialty in Marital and Family Therapy.
Kutztown University, Kutztown, Pennsylvania, 1995
BA IN ENGLISH, Concentration in humor in literature. Minor in psychology.
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 1985
PROFESSIONAL LICENSES and AFFILIATIONS:
NJ Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners Professional Counselor License #37PC00021200 10/1999 - present
PA State Board of Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapy Therapists and Professional Counselors Professional Counselor License #PC001890 02/2002 – 02/2003. Reinstated 10/2017.
National Board for Certified Counselors National Certified Counselor #52545 10/98 - present
Center for Credentialing & Education, Approved Clinical Supervisor ACS01272, 02/12 - present
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of Succasunna, Professional Advisor, 2005-2009
World Professional Association for Transgender Health, Member 1/2015 – present
CURRENT EMPLOYMENT:
Director and Psychological Counselor
True Colors Center for Creative Therapy, LLC
NEWTON, NJ 2006 to present. EASTON, PA 2018 to present.
Conduct individual and group therapy. Specialize in adolescent and transgender issues. Advanced student of psychodrama. Supervise Licensed Associate Counselor.
Teaching Engagements:
Rutgers School of Social Work Office of Continuing Education
Instructor, 7/15/2014 and 12/07/2015
Created and taught day-long CEU workshop entitled Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Comes Alive! (Experiential Techniques to Deepen CBT) at the largest university-based continuing education program in the country. Instructor satisfaction rated 6.06 (mean) out of 7.
New Jersey Counseling Association Conferences:
Counseling Gender Variant Individuals:What Therapists Need to Know 3/18/2018
Transgender 101: An Introduction for Counselors, 5/6/2017
"Counseling Trans* Kids and Their Parents" 4/17/2015
Gender Conference East, Newark, NJ, November 12, 2016
Rehearsals for life: Keeping it Cool When Discussing Hot Topics in Gender
Participants engaged in guided role plays to vent feelings, explore triggers, increase empathy and rehearse responses when having difficult discussions about gender issues. Using psychodramatic methods such as doubling, role reversal and role training, the leader gives parents an opportunity to unload emotional baggage so that they can have difficult discussions with respect and empathy.
Cultivating Empathy for Gender Diversity through Experiential Methods
- Hudson County Community College PrideFest, Jersey City, April 8, 2016
- American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama Conference, Phoenix, Arizona, April 1, 2015
- Expressive Therapies Summit, New York City, November 8, 2015
As media, laws and medical associations have shown greater support of gender variance, more people are coming out as transgender, and at increasingly young ages. Unfortunately, attitudes among many family members, colleagues, school personnel, church members et al have not evolved at the same rate. This gap can contribute to the discrimination and alienation of transgender individuals, and puts them at risk for suicide. This workshop presents exercises and activities to cultivate empathy, respectful dialogue and an appreciation of gender diversity.
Columbia University Psychological Counseling Class, New York City, March 23, 2016 “Everything I learned about Gender was wrong”: Lessons from a Gender Therapist,
Spoke to Masters students from Columbia’s Clinical Psychology program about my professional experiences providing therapy to trans clients.
Embracing Gender Diversity in High School
- Sussex Country Technical School, April 3, 2017
- Passaic County School Counselors Association, March 30, 2016
- Vernon Township School District, March 14, 2016
Presented in services to school staff and students to promote tolerance of gender diversity.
15th Annual Diversity in Higher Education Conference, Ramapo College, November 6, 2015 “An Exploration of Transgender Identity” panel discussion:
Spoke in a panel that also included an activist with Garden State Equality and an author of a children’s book about transgender children.
Gay Activist Alliance of Morris County, 7/22/2015.
Understanding Transgender Issues
Spoke as part of a panel to provide information to activist organization.
12th Annual LGBTQA College Leadership Conference: Visibility November 1, 2013
Show 'n' Tell: Diversity in Action This fun, interactive workshop uses warm-ups, role plays and psychodramatic methods to share experiences of gender identity, labels and stereotypes. Participants engage in activities that facilitate discussion of experiences regarding diversity. This workshop will provide ideas for ice breakers to help build empathy for those who fall outside the norm.
From TRANSparence to Visibility: Managing the Risks of Coming Out as Trans
Hiding one’s transgender identity can avoid violence, ridicule, discrimination and rejection. But what’s the cost of sacrificing the true self? This workshop uses experiential exercises to explore.
Developing a Delinquency Prevention Program for Females
NJ Association of County Youth Services Commissions
“Realizing Potential and Changing Lives” Conference, Ocean Place, NJ, November 2005
Empowering Girls to Succeed
American Association of University Women, Sussex County, New Jersey. October 2006
Managing Bipolar Disorder
Intensive Family Support Services, Saint Clare’s, NJ
The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of Succasunna
New Jersey Counseling Association 11/2003, 6/2005, 10/2006, 01/2007, 04/2007, 6/2007
PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT:
Newton Medical Center, Newton, New Jersey, 2007 to 2014.
PER-DIEM CLINICIAN
Completed risk assessments for Psychiatric Emergency Services.
Led group therapy in the Acute Partial Hospitalization Program.
Youth Advocate Program, Sparta, New Jersey, 2008 to 2009
PER-DIEM IN-HOME COUNSELOR.
Provided in-home counseling for families with children at risk of placement.
St. Clare’s Behavioral Health Services, Sussex, New Jersey
Worked for Hospital for seven years in the following positions and programs:
SENIOR CLINICIAN, GIRLS RULE PROGRAM, 2005 to 2007
* Conducted assessments, group therapy for adolescent girls at risk for developing more serious problems.
* Developed curriculum to meet requirements of the Juvenile Justice
Commission and the needs of the particular girls in the group.
SENIOR CLINICIAN, CHILD ABUSE TREATMENT PROGRAM, 2003 to 2005
(this program is also known as the "Center for Protection of Children")
* Conducted therapy for victims of abuse and neglect.
* Completed classes to become certified in the use of EMDR, a state-of-the-art therapy to help desensitize clients to traumatic experiences.
THERAPIST, FRANKLIN OUTPATIENT COUNSELING, 2000 to 2003
* Conducted marriage, family, individual and play therapy
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, Warren County.
Worked for non-profit agency five years in the following positions:
CLINICIAN, Comprehensive Assessment & Treatment Services 1999 to 2000
* Conducted marriage, family and individual therapy.
* Did risk assessments and wrote forensic reports.
Family Preservation Services, Supervisor, 1997 to 1999
* Hired, counseled and trained four in-home family therapists.
* Managed program operations.
Family Preservation Services, Therapist, 1996 to 1997
* Conducted intensive in-home family therapy to prevent placement of children.
* Defused crises and empowered families.
* Completed classes from Rutgers School of Social Work Institute for Families and seven-
month training given by Minuchin Center for the Family.
PUBLIC SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS INCLUDE:
12th Annual LGBTQA College Leadership Conference: Visibility
Led two well-received workshops, entitled Show 'n' Tell: Diversity in Action and From TRANSparence to Visibility: Managing the Risks of Coming Out as Trans. These workshops used psychodramatic methods to build rapport, facilitate discussions and create an experience that fostered empathy and understanding for transgender individuals.
ENGAGING THE DIFFICULT ADOLESCENT, April 24, 2007
Gave speech for New Jersey Counseling Association Annual Conference.
DEVELOPING DELINQUENCY PREVENTION PROGRAMS FOR GIRLS, November 17, 2006 Spoke as part of a panel on Gender Specific programs for New Jersey
Association of County Youth Services Commissions’ “Realizing Potential and Changing Lives” Conference, Ocean Place, NJ.
EMPOWERING GIRLS TO SUCCEED, October 10, 2006
Gave speech on the theoretical underpinnings of the Girls Rule program
for the American Association of University Women [My speech is cited at the far right and bottom of this link, under October 2006.]
MANAGING BIPOLAR DISORDER, 11/03, 6/05, 10/06, 1/07, 4/07, 6/07
Gave inspirational and informational speeches for Intensive Family Support Services, The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of
Succasunna and New Jersey Mental Health Counselors Association.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES:
NJ Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners
Licensed Professional Counselor: LPC #37PC00021200 10/14/99 - present
Center for Credentialing & Education
Approved Clinical Supervisor, February 7, 2012 to present
National Board for Certified Counselors
National Certified Counselor #52545 10/24/98 - present
New Jersey Counseling Association member, 1998 – present
American Counseling Association member 1995 – present
Depression Bipolar Support Alliance Succasunna Professional Advisor, 2005-2009
PUBLICATIONS:
KidsPeace, Orefield, Pennsylvania
FREELANCE WRITER, January 1996 - 2000
Wrote articles about Continuing Medical Education Seminars for
KidsPeace Healing Magazine. Topics include:
* Eating Disorders
* How Violence and Trauma Affect Children (pp. 4-7 on this link)
* Attention Deficit Disorder in Teens
* Depressed and Suicidal Teens, part 1 (pp. 24-27); part 2 (pp 12-16)
* What the Non-Psychiatrist Clinician needs to know about medication for violent youth (pp 25-27).
* Treatment for Aggressive Children and Teens (pages 30-33)
To find the articles in Kidspeace Healing magazine, scroll down to the page indicated or type "Whitlock" in the "find" box.
Rodale Press, Emmaus, Pennsylvania
EXECUTIVE EDITOR, Lose Weight Naturally Newsletter, 1987 - 1990
Created, planned, researched and wrote national health and fitness
newsletter affiliated with Prevention Magazine.
ASSISTANT EDITOR, Prevention Health Books, 1985 - 1987
Co-wrote health books such as Future Youth and The Complete Guide
to Stress Relief for leading publisher.
|
