Ballot for 2020 GWSCSW Elections

Officers:

Lynn Grodzki, President

Lynn works as a psychotherapist and business coach in private practice in Silver Spring. She is the author of six books, including Building Your Ideal Private Practice and most recently, Therapy with a Coaching Edge. She has been a popular presenter at national conferences for decades and is a regular contributor to the Psychotherapy Networker Magazine. Lynn was vice president of the NASW-Metro chapter during 2011-13. She is  a member of the Cosmos Club, nominated as a distinguished social worker. Lynn was presented with the Mighty Oak Award as the co-founder of Healing with Basketball, an exercise and support clinic sponsored by the George Washington Cancer Institute, for inner city women following their breast cancer treatment.

Karla Abney, Vice President #1

Karla is a native Washingtonian whose first career has been as a nurse (RN).  She is graduating in the spring of 2021 from CUA, with an MSW with a combined concentration (clinical and social justice).  Her social justice/policy interest has focused on the issue of food insecurity on college campuses and how social workers can help to stem the tide of this growing public health crisis.  As she moves forward into life as a clinical social worker, she is interested in working with adolescents and young adults.  As VP, she looks forward to working on several projects and has a special interest in working with the University Liaisons.

Brian Wheeler, Vice President #2

Brian works for the Department of Behavioral Health, Inner City Family Services and has a small private practice in the George Washington University neighborhood. He completed the Washington School of Psychiatry certificate program in Child & Adolescent therapy in 2016 and is currently a third-year Ph.D. student at The Institute for Clinical Social Work. His interests include social justice, education, and empowering youth.

Alex Wood, Treasurer

Alex is a social worker at Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC) in Towson, Maryland. He is an early career member, having received his MSW from The Catholic University of America in 2019. His professional interests include mental health, gerontological social work, individual and family psychotherapy, health care, leadership, organizational management, and social policy. Prior to entering social work, Alex worked for several years in the higher education and non-profit fields. He holds a masters of public administration from the University of Georgia. Alex is standing for an additional term as treasurer to contribute to the activities of the Society and ensure its financial integrity.

Rachel Keller, Secretary

Rachel has worked as an outpatient psychotherapist for 6 years, since graduating with a dual degree (MSW and MEd in human sexuality) from Widener University. She currently practices at an insurance-based group private practice in Odenton, Maryland seeing adults. She specializes in sex therapy, couple's therapy, and developmental trauma. Prior to becoming a therapist, Rachel worked as a Certified Public Accountant for 6 years.

Branch Directors:

Leila Jelvani, Director of Education

Leila is a graduate of University of Maryland’s MSW program.  She has a private practice in Bethesda, MD, where she specializes in the treatment of OCD and anxiety disorders.  Leila is also a member of the Capital Speakers Club of Washington, DC and has just completed her term as GWSCSW’s Chair of the Continuing Education Committee.

Judy Gallant, Director of Legislation and Advocacy

Judy is in private practice in Silver Spring, treating children, adolescents and adults. Previously she worked at Jewish Family Services where she helped develop and coordinated the Psychological and Educational Resource and Testing Center for Children and Adolescents. Judy is currently chair of the MD Legislative Committee as well as Director of Legislation and Advocacy.

Patricia Gibberman, Director of Community

Patti has been a social worker for over 40 years. She started her career as a child protective service worker for the City of Alexandria in 1978, and from there moved on to the Jewish Social Service Agency where she worked with children, adults, couples, and the elderly. For the last 32 years, Patti has been in private practice, specializing in Gottman Method Couples Therapy since 2007. She plans to retire later this year and looks forward to spending some time giving back to GWSCSW.

Steve Szopa, Director of Communications

Steve is an LCSW who has been in private practice for over 35 years. He has been at the Stone House in Falls Church Virginia for the past 30 years. Steve has been involved in Society leadership since becoming Vice President in 2014 and President in 2016. He is looking forward to continuing to support metropolitan area Clinical Social Workers by overseeing the Communications Branch which fosters connection among Society Members through the listserv, the website, the newsletter and our social media presence.