I became interested in working in the area of child abuse when I was in graduate school at San Diego State University. I graduated in 1984 with a Master’s Degree in Social Work and was awarded the “Outstanding Master’s Essay Award” by the Society for Clinical Social Work. My Master’s Essay was entitled: “Childhood Incest Experience and Abuse In Adult Intimate Relationships.” I became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 1986 and have devoted my career to working with abused children and their families.

The research from my Master’s Essay left me with a heightened interest in working in the area of sexual abuse. While employed at Residential Treatment Centers for Adolescents, I established on-going groups for sexual abuse survivors. I found that although over 50% of the girls in treatment were victims of sexual abuse, this specific issue was inadequately addressed in the treatment program. Frequently girls worked with male therapists and were uncomfortable addressing the issue. One psychiatrist was quoted in treatment team as saying “the issue of sexual abuse was not an area of focus in her treatment program.” The girl in question was placed in residential treatment when her mother discovered her husband, the girl’s stepfather, had been molesting the child. This particular girl was not referred to my sexual abuse survivor’s group.

Once my group program was established, I began receiving disclosures of sexual abuse from male adolescent residents. Although these boys had undergone extensive psychotherapeutic intervention, they had not previously disclosed their history of sexual abuse. The stigma involved with the label of “molest victim” for boys silenced their ability to discuss their pain.

My survivor’s group identified the issue of sexual abuse as valid and laid the groundwork for permission to discuss the subject. I became the residential center’s receptacle of sexual abuse disclosures. The only relationship or role I needed to have with the child was the fact they understood I was able to talk about sexual abuse.

In my private practice I work with adult and child sexual abuse survivors. The pain and lifelong scars caused by this phenomenon leaves me frustrated and angry. Although I can help sexual abuse survivors come to terms with their abuse, I would prefer to completely heal individuals of the scars caused by the entire molest abuse experience. The type of health I envision can only be achieved by preventing sexual abuse.

In response to this need, I developed a sexual abuse prevention puppet show for children entitled "It’s Up To Me." My associate, Howe Stidger, MFT, wrote the songs and performed the show with me for Head Start pre-schools in the San Diego area.

When I relocated to Humboldt County, I performed my prevention shows on a voluntary basis for area schools. When I contacted one area elementary school to volunteer my performance, I was told that they “don’t have that kind of problem here.” I was stunned at the level of denial these education professionals possessed. If teachers will not acknowledge the existence of sexual abuse, children can not disclose.

As a member of the Humboldt County Child Abuse Services Team, I discovered that a large number of child abuse reports were made by teachers. Teachers are often the only adult in a child’s life, outside of their family, that they interact with on a regular basis and with whom they may form a trusting relationship.   Therefore, a teacher’s role in stopping child abuse has become crucial in our society.  I further developed my sexual abuse prevention program in order to aid teachers in presenting this extremely sensitive topic.

While working with the Humboldt County Child Abuse Services Team, I realized the critical role law enforcement plays in the protection of children. My prevention program has proven useful when working with cases involving young children who have been victims or are at risk of becoming victims of sexual abuse.

Through my work as a Family Therapist for the Post Adoption Services Project, I discovered that foster and adoptive parents have a specialized need for information on sexual abuse prevention. Experts estimate that 84% of children in foster care have been victims of sexual abuse. I designed seminars for foster and adoptive parent agencies that use my program to focus on what families can do to keep their homes safe for all family members.

As a Second Degree Black Belt and certified instructor in the martial art Soo Bahk Do , I have extensive knowledge in the area of self-defense.  I drew from my experience as a Martial Artist as well as a Psychotherapist in developing this prevention program.

In an effort to engage school districts, I am working with legislators to establish a bill requiring sexual abuse prevention education in elementary and pre schools. I am also working with foster parent agencies to establish sexual abuse prevention education as part of their parent education requirements.

I encourage all teachers, child welfare professionals and concerned parents to work with me to break the silence and empower our children to protect themselves!

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

• M.S.W. Degree, San Diego State University, May 1984.
  Master’s Essay: “Childhood incest Experience and Abuse in Adult Intimate Relationships”
  selected for the Outstanding Master’s Essay Award by the Society for Clinical Social Work.
• B.S. Degree, Psychology, University of Illinois-Champaign, May 1981.

CREDENTIALS

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker, State of California, since May 31, 1986
• Certified Mediator, 1999
• Positive Parenting Instructor, 1984
• Black Belt in Soo Bahk Do, 1999
• Second Degree Black Belt in Soo Bahk Do, 2003
• Jo Kyo, Certified Instructor in Soo Bahk Do, 2004

EXPERIENCE

• Private Practice, El Cajon and Eureka, CA, (1991 to Present)
  Facilitate psychotherapy for individuals, couples, families and groups. Trainings on sexual abuse for professional organizations including: Humboldt State University, University of San Diego, law enforcement, Child Welfare Services, mental health agencies and psychiatric hospitals.
  
• Post Adoption Services Project, Arcata, CA, (2001 to Present)
  Develop and implement outreach program for adoptive parents. Program includes: crisis intervention, short-term family therapy, psycho educational parent support groups, project newsletter and a psychotherapist training program.
  
• Redwood Coast Soo Bahk Do, Fieldbrook, CA, (2004 to Present)
  Teach martial arts classes for second grade children through adults.
  
• Children First Mediation Program, Eureka, CA, (1998 to 2002)
  Facilitated a federally funded government grant project for Child Welfare Services.
  
• Humboldt County Mental Health, Children, Youth & Family Services
  Eureka, CA, (1996 to 1998), Child Abuse Services Team
  Provided crisis intervention and ongoing psychotherapy to abuse victims and their families. Qualified as an expert witness on child abuse.
  
• Rancho Park Residential Treatment Center and Hospital, Southwood Psychiatric Residential Treatment Center, San Diego, CA, (1986 to 1991)
  Conducted family and group psychotherapy programs. Chair of child abuse committee. Conducted “sexual abuse survivor” group.
  
• Parents/Daughters United, El Cajon, (1984 to 1987)
  Psychotherapist for sexual abuse treatment program. Provided time-limited groups to clients including: victims, perpetrators and non-offending parents. Taught parenting classes.