MARGARET PERLSTEIN, MFT
LICENSE #MFC29785
CV
PRESENT WORK EXPERIENCE: I have been in private practice since 1992, working with adults and teens in individual, couples, and family sessions. I draw from many modalities and theories in my work including cognitive-behavioral, psychoanalytic, mindfulness, attachment, family systems, and inter-subjective. In this way, I more flexible and innovative as I help my clients navigate and overcome their challenges. I frequently work with clients who struggle with depression, anxiety, end-of-life concerns, parenting issues, infant mortality, pregnancy, social issues, divorce, and career and school transitions. My work sometimes requires me to collaborate with other professionals and family members who are key figures in my clients’ lives.
CURRENT AND RECENT VOLUNTEER AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Community Institute for Psychotherapy: Schools Program Director 8/16-6/20: As the director of this program, I trained and supervised pre-licensed clinicians working with teens and pre-teens in school settings. The students my interns served were from various economic, cultural, and racial backgrounds. Many were immigrants or first-generation Americans trying to navigate their native and current cultures, some were suffering from the loss or anticipated loss of a loved one through relocation, divorce, or death. Almost all of them were struggling with levels of anxiety or depression that prevented them from accessing their education or developmental milestones.
Rodef Sholom Mental Health Initiative Youth Sub-committee 2010-present: This committee is devoted to developing and implementing mental health hygiene and awareness curriculum in our religious school and to our congregation’s youth and families. I work with a team of mental health practitioners who specialize in various stages of development so that we provide suggestions that the teachers, clergy, and children can best access based on their age. The work this group has done has influenced systemic change in the Rodef Sholom community.
Davidson Middle School 2006-2009 and 2014-2016: Provided weekly body image disorder groups for girls during lunch. Facilitated one 4 week session during the fall semester of 2015 and two 6 week sessions in the spring semester.
Developed and facilitated a five-week parent discussion group after a tragic suicide by one of the students in fall of 2014. The focus of the group was to build community and support for parents as well as providing psycho-education around increasing connection to and resilience in one’s child, and developmental and neurobiological perspectives of adolescence. I then condensed the 5 week curriculum to a 90 minute presentation entitled Parenting with Connection in the Age of Distraction. I provided this presentation to the Davidson parent and teacher community 4 times since fall of 2015.
In 2006 - 2009, I ran a one semester a body-image disorders group with eight 7th and 8th grade girls. I also met with several students on an individual basis for weekly check ins at the request of the school counselors and helped with risk assessment after students showed signs of distress during Challenge Day.
Beyond Hunger Board Member: November 2013-December 2014. As a board member for this non-profit eating and body image disorder treatment and prevention program, I served as secretary, helped market fundraisers and workshops, and supported the work of this unique program.
Teen Mental Health Board: April 2008-June 2012. Although I was involved with this grass roots organization starting in April, 2008, I took on a leadership role in August, 2009. The Board, now disbanded, was comprised of teens and mental health professionals who want to raise awareness of mental health issues about and amongst teens in our community. (See CIP Community Notes, January 2010) Responsibilities for this position included marketing, outreach, recruitment, training, and public speaking.
Terra Linda High School: Spring 2011. Ran a six-week grief group for students who had lost parents to illness or suicide. The group promoted safety amongst its members so that they could share with one another the unique difficulties teens face when grieving and living without a parent.
Marin County Office of Education: October 2010. Spoke as panelist in MCOE presentation for parents following several tragedies in the Marin public school system that semester. My topic was about building a community of parents, teachers, and peers to strengthen the safety net for our teens.
Parenting Teens Presentations: Over the years, I have presented to parents of teens on several occasions and in several venues. My presentation includes an overview of physical, neurological, emotional, academic, and social changes and challenges that teens currently face, tips on how to communicate with one’s teen and the importance of keeping age-appropriate parent-child connections during the teens’ struggle for autonomy. Most recently, I presented to a parent group at Rodef Sholom about teens and transitions. I also offer Parenting with Connection in the Age of Distraction, my psychoeducational exploration of what happens developmentally during the teen years with suggestions for parenting during this incredibly important stage of life.
EDUCATION:
Dominican College – Masters of Science in Psychology, 1990
Indiana University – Bachelor of Arts in Telecommunications, 1983 Bachelor of Arts in English, 1983
LICENSE:
Marriage and Family Therapy License #29785