Indianapolis, IN 46205 Home 317-602-5630 Cell 781-350-8318 LMMerl47@gmail.

com

LYNNE M. MERL, LCSW, BCD

EXPERIENCED PSYCHOTHERAPIST
Behavioral Health Mental Health Dedicated and detail-oriented psychotherapy professional with experience providing outstanding service to adults with emotional and medical issues. Specialized knowledge of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and body-centered therapy and cognitive behavioral techniques. Demonstrated ability to work with patients in a kind and nurturing manner. Able to develop innovative courses and help students achieve maximum results. Significant facilitation, presentation and instruction skills. Reputation as a direct, honest, and approachable professional with impeccable integrity and ethics. Respected leader with expertise in guidance and counseling services; excellent communication and interpersonal skills to easily and effectively interact with individuals at all levels.

KEY SKILLS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Enhanced patient recovery through development of cognitive behavioral techniques. Developed specialized self-esteem group which is currently still in practice. Minimized inpatient hospitalizations and achieved significant improvement for patients suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Collaborated with professionals to develop and initiate Care Assessment Team (CAT) imbedded with Internal Medicine to streamline processes for patients, physicians and insurers. Assessed patients through screening interviews, review of records and collaboration with other healthcare personnel. Followed up with patients to make certain recovery was progressing; prepared reports and presentations regarding techniques and results.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Clinical Social Worker & Body-Centered Therapist, Boston, MA (1982 2012)
Managed private entity with 99% of practice focused on short-term psychotherapy. Collected information about patients, using interviews, case histories, observational techniques, and other assessment methods. Developed therapeutic treatment plans based on clients' interests, abilities, and needs. Utilized clinical hypnotherapy, traditional approaches and body-centered techniques to reach patients goals. Consulted with other professionals around patients issues, treatment techniques, counseling resources, and occupational information. Evaluated results of counseling methods to determine the reliability and validity of treatments.

Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates , Medford, MA (2003 2012) Clinical Social Worker

Counseled individuals, groups, and couples to help them understand problems, define goals, and develop realistic action plans to deal with problems of relationships, trauma, depression, anxiety, personality disorders, abuse issues, adjustment to life issues, illness, divorce, and psycho-physiological issues. Realized specific skills of treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and used cognitive behavioral therapy skills to treat patients with acute issues and/or chronic issues. Assisted patients to understand value and need for counseling. Evaluated the results of counseling methods. Encouraged patients to develop and use skills and strategies for confronting problems in a constructive manner. Maintained case files including progress notes, evaluations, and recommendations.

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Aberjona Nursing Center, Winchester MA (2002 2003) Clinical Social Worker

Provided services to residents and families in long-term care and Special Care Dementia Unit. Interviewed patients and families to assess situations, capabilities, and problems and determine what services were required to meet needs. Served as liaison between patients, staff, and families.

Optimum Care, Wakefield MA (2000 2002)

Clinical Social Worker
Worked with residents, families and staff providing long-term care. Modified treatment plans to comply with changes in resident's status. Monitored, evaluated, and recorded resident progress according to measurable goals described in treatment and care plan. Identified environmental impediments to patients progress through interviews and review of patient records.

Optimum Care-Bay View, Winthrop, MA (1999 2000)

Social Service Director Employed counseling services for nursing home residents and their families regarding life issues of grief, physical/emotional stress and end of life realization. Ensured compliance with federal and state regulations regarding patient rights, abuse and stress reduction. Supervised pet -assisted visits. Handled sensitive issue of facility closure and reduced trauma of relocation.

PRESENTATIONS PUBLICATIONS
Working with Dissociative Disorders Presentation, Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, Medford, MA CBT Training, Assistant Teacher, for five sessions, Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, Medford, MA Resident Rights and Abuse Training Optimum Care, Wakefield, MA Behavioral Techniques for Working with Borderline Patient in Nursing Home Setting, Wakefield, MA A Body-Centered Approach to Working with Survivors, Radix Teachers' Association Conference, CC, TX The Missed Connection: Working with Chronic Pain in Adult Survivors of Childhood Abuse, National RTA Conference & MA NASW Clinical Symposium Sex and Boundaries between Therapist-Client/Teacher-Student Integrating Work with the Body into Therapy with Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse Chairperson: Working with Survivors of Childhood Physical and/or Sexual Abuse Experiential Exercises to Heal Dysfunctional Family Systems within a Small Organization Verbal & Physical Cues for Identifying Adults from Dysfunctional Families Difficult Relationship Training for Nursing Home Staff Dealing with Demanding Families in a Nursing Home Setting The Abusive Resident: Signals, Techniques to Protect and Calm Team Building in a Nursing Home Setting What Does Social Service Do? Clear, Direct & Caring: Communicating with Patients & Families, for Family Practice Residents

MODALITIES
Holistic, body-centered therapy: traditional, psycho-dramatic, neo-Reichian, & Ericksonian Individual, group and couple counseling Time-limited psychotherapy

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EDUCATION TRAINING
Bachelor of Arts: Sociology, University of Missouri at Kansas City Masters of Social Work, Florida State University, Tallahassee Field Placements in Child Development & Adult Mental Health Adjunct Instructor, Indiana University School of Social Work (for field placements) Additional Training: Family Systems: Individuals and couples around family of origin; adult children of dysfunctional family Adult Survivors of Sexual/Physical Abuse; Trauma Clinical Hypnotherapy & Ericksonian Hypnosis Brief Psychotherapy, Time Limited Psychotherapy Cognitive Behavioral Techniques RADIXR Neo-Reichian (Body-Centered) Training: Experiential & didactic program in the inter-relationship of feelings, beliefs and physical health/illness Geriatric issues: Geri-psychiatric, social, legal & financial issues of seniors and their families in nursing home & home care settings; Social services in nursing homes Neuro-Linguistic Programming Seminars in Indianapolis IN and New England Psychodrama: (2 years at Moreno Institute & 2 years at Toronto Centre for Psychodrama & Sociometry) Pain, illness, death and dying

CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE
BCD (Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work) #011662 LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker)IN #34006414A LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker)--MA #104692 Certified Radix Teacher #L124

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS:
NASW (National Association of Social Workers) #880643874 RTA (Radix Teachers Association) until 1998 Ethics Committee, Chairperson Board of Directors RTA Journal Editor

AWARD
2011 Clinical Innovation Award Recipient One of six annual prestigious awards given to clinicians at Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates recognizing a clinician or group of clinicians for extraordinary efforts contributing to clinical innovation within a practice, and acknowledges a major advance in improving the health of patients and community.