EDUCATION. NEW YORK UNIVERSITY, New York, NY M.S.W., May 2004

Elisabeth Counselman Carpenter, PhD, MSW, LCSW

ADELPHI UNIVERSITY, Garden City, NY Ph.D., November 2014

Dissertation Title: The lived experience of mothers whose children were born unexpectedly with Down Syndrome.

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY, New York, NY M.S.W., May 2004

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Richmond, VA B.A., cum laude, Sociology, May 1999

Minors: Art History, Anthropology PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

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Clinician, Private Practice, Norwalk, CT: April 2005-Present

Therapist in private practice treating adolescents, adults, children and families

o Provide individual, group and family therapy for children, adolescents and adults using a variety of modalities including psychodynamic therapy, play therapy, creative expressions, and sandplay. o Responsible for assessment, evaluations and creating comprehensive treatment plans for clients

struggling with depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, bereavement issues, chronic illness and PTSD. o Coordinate client care with community agencies, schools and facilitation of appropriate referrals to

community resources such as support groups and 12-step programs. o Monthly participation in private supervision.

o Workshops offered to community groups on topics such as family communication, crisis

management, bereavement, stress management techniques, and reintroducing play for adults and within the family.

o Familiar with managed care programs including in and out-of-network systems and EAP programs and referrals.

• Group Therapist, Family and Children’s Agency, Norwalk, CT: June 2008-September 2010

Therapist in an outpatient clinic treating children, adolescent, adults and families

o Responsible for planning and facilitating weekly ongoing group therapy for children ages 9-11. exposed to trauma using creative expressions, sandplay and play therapy modalities in a group format.

o Responsible for planning and facilitating weekly ongoing anger management group therapy for

adolescents.

• Clinician, Family and Children’s Agency, Norwalk, CT: October 2006-May 2007

Therapist in an outpatient clinic treating children, adolescent, adults and families

o Provide individual, group and family therapy for children, adolescents and adults using a variety of modalities including psychodynamic therapy, play therapy and family systems work from a strengths-based perspective.

o Ran weekly anger management adolescent group for adolescents currently in the juvenile diversion program.

o Responsible for assessment, evaluations and creating comprehensive treatment plans for clients. o Responsible for facilitating weekly group therapy sessions including creative expression for

adolescents, self management for adolescents and anger management for adults. o Coordinate client care with community agencies and case management.

o Attend and participate in peer supervision.

• Clinician, Four Winds Hospital, Katonah, NY: July 2004-October 2006

Primary therapist on an in-patient adolescent unit of a psychiatric hospital.

o Bi-weekly individual counseling sessions and crisis intervention for a caseload of 8 adolescent managed care and Medicaid patients dealing with psychological trauma, behavioral and anxiety disorders and other psychiatric diagnoses including co-morbid substance abuse diagnoses and treatment.

o Weekly family therapy for patients and their families/support systems.

o Responsible for assessment, diagnosis and creating comprehensive treatment plans for individual clients including collaboration with other hospital staff members in the milieu environment. o Responsible for facilitating weekly group therapy sessions including women’s issues group,

psychodynamic group therapy and feedback group.

o Extensive experience in discharge planning including referrals for outpatient follow-up treatment, substance abuse inpatient and outpatient rehab and long-term residential placement, managed care reviews and case management.

• Social Work Intern, Four Winds Hospital, Katonah, NY: September 2003-April 2004

Student therapist on an in-patient adolescent unit of a psychiatric hospital.

o Bi-weekly individual counseling, crisis intervention and weekly family therapy for adolescent managed care and Medicaid patients dealing with psychological trauma, behavioral and anxiety disorders and other psychiatric diagnoses.

o Experience in assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning.

o Experience in discharge planning, case management and managed care reviews. o Co-facilitation of group therapy.

o Participation in Four Winds’ interns program and Grand Rounds.

• Social Work Intern, KICS (Kids in Community Schools) Program of Westchester Jewish Community

Services, Yonkers, NY: September 2002-July 2003

Clinical experience in a school-based mental health program in a pre-K through 5th _{grade elementary school in} an at-risk, multiple-stressor environment.

o Development of basic clinical skills including assessment, engagement, observation, intake, preliminary diagnosis, and developing treatment plans as well as weekly sessions with clients and crisis intervention.

o One-on-one therapeutic sessions focusing on play therapy, behavior modification, social skills and anger and stress management.

o Experience in client advocacy, family work, case management, and community programming.

o Involvement with outside agencies such as MPS, CPS, Network, CSE, School Support & DSS. TEACHING EXPERIENCE

• Lecturer, Columbia University, New York: NY: July 2015-Present

Full- time professor of clinical practice in the School of Social Work

o Full time appointment responsible for teaching a course-load of three to four classes per semester in the Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice concentration, which emphasizes intervention, and evaluation within a field of practice, using individual, family, group, and case management

strategies; clinical application of risk and resiliency theories and research to at-risk populations; and clinical issues with specific client populations.

o Responsible for implementing and teaching a fully on-line course in child development and family systems for the new on-line Masters of Social Work program.

o Responsible and development an elective in child development, assessment and implementation of play therapy for children and adolescents.

o To impart the mission of the school through coursework to prepare graduate students for leadership and social work practice through collaboration, public service, and the imparting of advance knowledge for effective social work practice and education within a diverse learning environment. o Participation in faculty meetings.

• Adjunct Faculty Member, Adelphi University, New York, NY: January 2015, Summer 2010

Adjunct professor in the Masters of Social Work program

o Social Work Practice in the Prevention & Treatment of Substance Abuse, MSW Program, Jan. 2015 ~Teaching the master’s level curriculum of a three credit class in substance abuse assessment, treatment and prevention along with the history of drug abuse legislation and current policies. ~Class objectives focus on developing a critical understanding of the biological, psychological and social etiology of chemical dependency through empirical research.

o Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis, MSW Program, Summer 2010

~Taught the master’s level curriculum of a three credit class in DSM-IV assessment and diagnosis focusing on cultural competency and the development of clinical skills.

• Seminar Instructor, Various Organizations, NY and CT: March 2005-Present

Lead training groups on various subject matter for local community organizations and mental health agencies. o Recognizing Grief in the Classroom, Farmingville School, December 2012

~Presented on topic to faculty and staff on recognizing symptoms of typical bereavement versus complicated bereavement in an academic setting following the Sandy Hook shooting.

o The co-occurrence of ADHD and anxiety in children, Villa Maria Academy, October 2012 ~Presented on the topic of ADHD and co-morbid diagnoses of anxiety in children, including presentation of symptoms, current evidenced based practice and treatment for children and adolescents.

o Recognizing Pediatric Anxiety in the Classroom, a workshop for teachers, Ridgefield Academy, May, 2012

~Presented on recognizing anxiety in the elementary and middle school educational environment.

o Pediatric Anxiety, Ridgefield Academy Parents Association, February 2012

~Presented on topic of pediatric anxiety, family resilience and coping skill development ~2 hour presentation, discussion and experiential workshop for parents in the Ridgefield Academy community.

o Co-Presenter, Stress Management for Families, Stepping Stones Healthy Families Program, March 2009

~Presented to a group of approximately 30 multicultural and multilingual families on the topic of stress management including take-home exercises.

o Introduction to Sand Tray Work for the Bereaved, The Den for Grieving Kids, Sept. 2008 ~Taught bereavement facilitators introductory theory and application of Sand Tray therapy. o Empowered Leadership Training Seminar, Junior League of Stamford-Norwalk, Inc., June 2008

~Presented on the topic of the psychology of leadership in community organization. ~Designed a curriculum of hands-on creative expression exercises to augment group topic. o Stress Management Training Seminar, Junior League of Stamford-Norwalk, Inc., March 2008

~Presented to an interactive group of community volunteers on preventing philanthropic burn-out and stress management skills

~Designed a curriculum of hands-on reflective writing exercises and small group projects to augment group topic.

o Conference to Keep Kids Safe Facilitator, Kids in Crisis, Greenwich CT, Sept. 2006

~Co-facilitated an adolescent group of Fairfield County students in discussion of current teen issues, with a special focus on stress and pressure and how to best address their concerns. ~Helped group members develop a communications program on teen stress.

o Guest Lecturer, Norwalk Community College, Norwalk CT, March 2005

~Taught class on Juvenile Delinquency and concurrent mental health issues for NCC’s Juvenile Delinquency course in the Criminal Justice Program.

• Undergraduate Assistant Teacher, French

University of Richmond, Richmond, VA: August 1997-May 1998

Practice instructor for an oral skills class of seven to twelve undergraduate intermediate French students. o Responsible for teaching two oral skills French classes per week completely in French. o Conducted language skills assessments, exercises, reviews and oral drills to augment the

intermediate 221 French class taught in conjunction with the oral skills coursework.

o Created lesson plans, tests, quizzes, learning activities and other creative exercises in order to facilitate communicative activities and to emphasize the use of the French language exclusively in the classroom.

o Completed student evaluations, recorded and submitted grades and met weekly with the 221 class professor for lesson planning and other course preparation.

• Substitute Teacher, Middle and High School

School of the Holy Child, Rye NY: August 2001-August 2003

Responsible for teaching on a per diem basis for any teachers who were absent at the middle school and high school level.

o In the absence of the classroom teacher, provided instruction, encouraged student progress and managed the learning environment in subjects such as English and Literature, French, Spirituality and Religion and Social Studies.

o Followed lesson plans, lectured on appropriate subjects and facilitated group projects for grades 5-12 in a private, independent school for young women.

PUBLICATIONS

Counselman-Carpenter, E. (2015), The presence of post-traumatic growth in mothers whose children were born unexpectedly with Down Syndrome. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, (in review).

Counselman-Carpenter, E. (2014). Concurrent group therapy with parents: an exploratory study – part II. The Group Therapist, 24, (2), 13-14.

Counselman-Carpenter, E. (2014) Concurrent group therapy with parents: an exploratory study – part I. The Group Therapist, 24, (1), 12-13.

Counselman-Carpenter, E. (2010). Bibliotherapy and sandplay: case studies in the union of books and sand. East Coast Sandplay Journal, 10, 65-71.

Counselman-Carpenter, E. (2010). Battle in the sand: an opportunity for healing, East Coast Sandplay Journal, 9, 29-34.

Counselman-Carpenter, E. (2010) A clinical review of a series of sandplay sessions in a children’s therapy group, The Group Therapist, 20, 20-22.

Counselman-Carpenter, E. (2009). Group sandplay therapy, The Group Therapist, 22-23.

Carpenter, E. (2008). From Sand to Screen?, Play Therapy Magazine, 3, pg. 10 POST GRADUATE TRAINING

• Over 70 hours of training and supervision in Jungian Sandplay at the Center for Sandplay Studies in Nyack,

NY studying introductory and advanced sandplay work including developmental issues, Jungian archetypes, mythology and symbolism and the treatment of relevant issues including trauma, depression, grief,

attachment, family and group work.

• Over 20 hours of play therapy, art therapy and creative expressions training through the Play Therapy

Training Institute, the Family Enhancement and Play Therapy Center and Fordham University on utilizing play therapy with adolescents, providing child-centered play therapy, filial play therapy and creative expressions work.

• Bright Beginnings Group Facilitator Training at the Ackerman Institute for the Family. Over 22 hours of

training to lead Bright Beginnings groups, a longitudinal curriculum of classes that promote discovery, bonding, learning and fun for both babies and their parents. It is designed to help parents understand and promote healthy infant and toddler development for future emotional and educational success.

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

• Adelphi University 11th Annual Research Conference, April 2014, The cat ate my consent form, strategies

for managing unexpected challenges while conducting qualitative interviews at home. ~Presented original research on qualitative interviewing of participants in their home setting.

• CT Alzheimer’s Association (CTAA) 17th Annual Education Conference, March 2014, Inclusive services

for LGBT adults.

~Part of a 4 person panel presenting research and clinical data on the psychological and emotional needs of LGBT elderly.

• Ridgefield, CT Board of Education Response to Sandy Hook Shooting, December 2012, Traumatic grief:

awareness and coping for children and families following the Sandy Hook shooting.

~Presented research and data on symptoms of normal and traumatic bereavement for parents and faculty. ~Facilitated multi-series discussion on development of coping skills for parents while working with grieving children in the Farmingville Elementary School community in the two weeks following the Sandy Hook shooting.

• Association for the Advancement of Social Work with Groups (AASWG) Conference, June 2011,

Concurrent group therapy for parents.

~Presented original research on the evidence of concurrent group parent therapy

~Results presented were from an original exploratory study surveying members of the Association of Play Therapy

• American Psychological Association (APA) Annual Convention, August 2009, Group Sandplay Therapy

~Presented original research, historical data and a literature review on the topic of Group Sandplay Therapy as part of the Division 49 conference offerings for the 2009 APA Annual Convention in Toronto, Canada.

• Family and Children’s Agency (FCA) Grand Rounds, April 2007, Art and sandplay group therapy for

at-risk adolescents.

~Presented original research on bridging the gap between the juvenile diversion program and clinical services.

~Instructed other agency staff and administrators on running a group comprised of high-risk adolescents with a history of behavior problems using a focus of art and creative expressions interventions.

CONSULTING WORK

~Provide clinical recommendations and group facilitation for local growing community center for those facing LGBTQ issues, those living with chronic and life-threatening illness, including a focus on family issues, and loss and bereavement.

• Sandy Hook Shooting Crisis Team Responder, Ridgefield, CT December 2012-February 2013

~Provided trauma, grief and bereavement counseling, education, awareness and referral information for children, adolescents and adults at local schools and organizations in Ridgefield, CT who were affected by the Sandy Hook shooting and subsequent lockdowns in the area.

• Town of Ridgefield Crisis Team, Ridgefield CT, September 2009-Present

~Provide crisis response, trauma treatment, bereavement counseling and other crisis management services in a volunteer capacity to the town and school system of Ridgefield, CT when there is a sentinel event in town that affects community members, especially surrounding sudden death and complicated bereavement.

• Faculty Consultation, Ridgefield Academy, May 2012

~Providing clinical information on anxiety, stress and trauma for classroom management and educational development of children ages three-eight years old.

-Presented to the faculty, administration and staff of Ridgefield Academy

• Bereavement Consultant, 20/20, ABC News, July-September 2011

~Provided ongoing consultation for Diane Sawyer and her production staff throughout the summer of 2011 for the development and execution of a Special Edition of 20/20 -- Remembrance and Renewal: 10 Years After the 9/11 Attacks.

~Helped provide clinical information on complicated bereavement and trauma in children and the healing process in order to develop interview questions for the children and families who lost a parent in 9/11. GROUP WORK

• Triangle Community Center, Volunteer Group Facilitator: Lateblooming Lesbians and Questioning

and Coming Out for Older Adults

Triangle Community Center, Norwalk, CT: January 2013-Present

~Designed, implemented and facilitator of two support groups for adults struggling with the coming out process later in life.

• The Den for Grieving Children, Volunteer Facilitator - Middles I (ages 6-9 years)

Family Centers, Inc., Greenwich, CT: February 2000-May 2005

Bereavement counseling for grieving children ages 6-9 years old who have lost a parent or sibling. o Facilitate the healing process of grief through listening, art, sharing, play and discussion. o Design and execute activities for the group, including art projects, games and presentations CURRENT RESEARCH

• Head of the Advisory Board of Health Initiatives, Woodcock Nature Center, Spring 2015

~Designing and coordinating development of an outdoor parkour course for typically developing and neuro-atypical children and adults to facilitate emotional and behavioral health initiatives through nature-based experiences.

~Conducting a literature review and pilot studies of various nature based initiatives to address mental health issues within the local community including programs to facilitate parent-child attachment, to address growing anxiety issues within elementary and middle schools and for recovery from addiction.

• Curriculum development, Triangle Community Center, Winter 2014-Present

~Conducting on-going program evaluation to better meet community needs within the LGBTQ community. ~Writing a manual to be used in later-in-life coming out groups.

LEGAL EXPERIENCE

• Case Consultant, grief expert in wrongful death action, January 2014-present • Case Consultant, grief expert in wrongful death action, November-December, 2013 • Case Consultant, grief expert in wrongful death action , May-November, 2012

LICENSURE

Connecticut, Licensed Clinical Social Worker New York, Licensed Master of Social Work PROFESSIONAL AND COLLEGIATE HONORS

• Whitney M. Young, Jr. Memorial Award National Association of Social Workers, 2002 • James A. Sartain Award for scholarship, humanitarianism and commitment to the ideals

of the University of Richmond, 1999

• Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities, 1999

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP

• National Association of Social Workers, Connecticut Chapter • Give an Hour Volunteer Clinician

• Sandplay Therapists of America, Associate Member • Association for Play Therapy, Member