Contact
To contact Rhoda Mills Sommer, send an email to [email protected]
Professional Experience
9/81 to Present
Private Practice including individual, group and couples therapyidea. In the management of my client load I make an effort to encompass a wide range of issues and broad client base. Typically my caseload includes issues of sexual abuse, chemical dependency, codependency, adoption, depression, adolescence and profound character change with personality disorders.
1983
Contractual Clinical services for individual therapyidea for adolescent residents and consultation for group home staff at Hosina House, Pittsburgh, PA. (Part-time)
1983
Clinical work in the Drug And Alcohol unit of Alternatives, Bridgeville, PA. Treatment was provided to addicted persons and their families. (Part-time)
1980 to 83
Developmental and operational responsibilities of the incest component of Pittsburgh Action Against Rape, Pittsburgh, PA. My responsibilities included individual, group and play therapyidea with victims ages 8 to 70, direct clinical supervision of other staff members, professional education, public awareness efforts and media relations. Extensive public speaking to professional and lay groups in Pennsylvania and to professional groups out of state.
1979
Clinical Practicum in the Family therapyidea Clinic at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Pittsburgh, PA. and Family & Children’s Services
1976
Job placement counselor working with women with criminal records. Included visits to the State Prison at Muncy. The Program for Female Offenders, Pittsburgh, PA.
1975
Caseworker for Information and Volunteer Services of Allegheny County.
1974
Family Services Caseworker at an inner-city agency that served the African-American community. Montgomery Neighborhood Center.
Education
EMDR Level 2 Completed 11/02/2000
Post Graduate Training Program, Gestalt Institute Of Cleveland. Intensive exposure to the theory and methodology of Gestalt therapyidea. Instructors included Laura Perls, Miriam Polster and Joseph Zinker.
MSW, University of Pittsburgh, Clinical course emphasis with a systems theory based approach.
Other:
February 2009- Started Blog
June 2004 – Mental Health Disaster II Training for the American Red Cross
2003- Built website www.therapyideaideas.net
Marquis Who’s Who 55th Edition 2001
Marquis Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare – 1999/2000
Publication on subject of trans-racial adoption in the Nov/Dec 1993 issue of OURS magazine.
Conducted workshops and graduate level course in Gestalt therapyidea and currently workshops on “The Delightful Complexity & Challenge of Couples Work” for Continuing Education Department, School of Social Work, University of Pittsburgh.
Presented a paper on incest treatment, N.A.S.W. National Conference, 1982.
Conducted statewide training program on sexual abuse, State of Louisiana, 1984.
