Trauma Institute & Child Trauma Institute Faculty

Ricky Greenwald, PsyD, is the Founder and Executive Director of Trauma Institute & Child Trauma Institute, and the Chair of Faculty. He was previously on the faculty of the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, is an Affiliate Professor at the SUNY Buffalo School of Social Work, and is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association. He is the author of numerous professional articles as well as several books, including Child Trauma Handbook (2005), Trauma and Juvenile Delinquency (editor; 2002), EMDR in Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy (1999), EMDR Within a Phase Model of Trauma-Informed Treatment (2007), A Fairy Tale (comic book with artist K Baden, 2007), Treating Problem Behaviors (2009), The Child Abuser's Secret Book of Tricks (comic book with artist J Rettun, 2012), and Progressive Counting Within a Phase Model of Trauma-Informed Treatment (in press). His work has been translated into over a dozen languages. Dr. Greenwald was the first independent EMDR trainer to be accredited by the EMDR International Association, and his comprehensive training model has served as a trend-setter internationally. He developed many techniques used by EMDR child therapists, as well as the MASTR protocol for treating problem behaviors, Progressive Counting, and the Fairy Tale phase model of trauma treatment.

Ann Beckley-Forest, LCSW-R, RPT has been working with children and families since 1996, and is currently with Catholic Charities in Buffalo, NY. She works with all ages from young children through adults, specializing in problems of attachment, trauma, and grief & loss. She is a registered play therapist, has worked as a consultant to Head Start, and is a field educator in UB's pilot program in trauma-informed field education.

Jerry S. Kelly, LCSW-R has been working with adults and families since 1988. He is currently a supervisor at Catholic Charities in Buffalo, NY and also has a private practice. He has an extensive background in working with survivors of domestic violence, and has worked as a DV trainer with law enforcement Officers. He specializes in trauma informed counseling, and is a field educator in the University of Buffalo’s pilot program in trauma informed education.

Annie J. Monaco, LCSW-R, is currently in private practice, and has also practiced in Japan. She was previously the Director of Restorative Justice programs at a non-profit agency where she oversaw 10 juvenile and adult offender programs for over 10 years. Ms. Monaco has extensive experience and training in family therapy and working with the juvenile justice population. She is also a trainer in several Restorative Justice models, and an EMDR Consultant and Instructor.

Mary L. Froning, PsyD, is Co-Director of Psychology and Hypnotherapy Associates. She is a licensed psychologist with over 20 years of experience, specializing in trauma recovery. She has presented workshops in local and national venues, and published numerous articles in books and professional journals. She is the former President of the District of Columbia Psychological Association. Dr. Froning is an EMDR Consultant and Instructor.

Andrew Seubert, LPC, NCC, is the Director of ClearPath Healing Arts Center in Corning, NY. He is a licensed psychotherapist with 20 years experience, is a trained music therapist, and has been practicing EMDR since 1996. He specializes in working with couples, trauma, posttraumatic stress, eating disorders and the integration of spirituality and psychotherapy. He has also worked for over 15 years with dually diagnosed (MH/MR) adults. Mr. Seubert is an EMDR Consultant and Instructor.

Denise Houston, LPC, is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice in Cumming, Georgia counseling trauma-exposed children, adolescents and adults. She has worked in and with the Child Welfare System in and around metropolitan Georgia and parts of Alabama for 15 years in different capacities including forensic and counseling services. Ms. Houston has also provided training and consultation to agencies that serve traumatized children including foster parent organizations, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), Child Protection workers, Juvenile Court staff and schools.

Nicole Rizzo-Wolasz, LCSW-R, is currently the Director of Restorative Justice Programs at Child & Family Services in Buffalo NY. She has been in the social work field since 1997, and has provided both individual and family therapy, as well as supervision to therapists working with youth involved in the juvenile justice system. In 2008, Ms. Rizzo-Wolasz was awarded the Field Educator of the Year through the University at Buffalo School of Social Work. She has provided training on numerous topics including Supervision and Trauma, Bullying Prevention, and most recently presented at the International Restorative Justice Conference on Peacemaking Circles in School.

Kriss Jarecki, ACSW, LCSWR, has been a certified social worker since 1987. Kriss is currently in private practice working with children, teens, women, couples, and families and treats challenges such as PTSD, self-injurious behaviors, depression, anxiety, phobias, and adjustment issues. She previously worked for seven years as a field educator for the UB School of Social Work, and over ten years as a clinician and mid-manager/supervisor for Erie County Medical Center Outpatient Department of Chemical Dependency. She is an EMDR Consultant and Instructor.

Judy Greenberg, MEd, MA, is a Vermont licensed psychologist with over twenty years in private practice. She has also worked with adjudicated and addicted adolescents in a variety of settings. She has consulted to school systems in Vermont, New Hampshire and the Dominican Republic, and for 14 years has been the mental health consultant to the directors and staff at Farm and Wilderness Camps in Plymouth, VT. She is an EMDR Consultant.

Hanneli de Vries, HC, RSM, is CTI's Spanish-speaking Supervisor and Trainer, and was previously the Director of the ACT Institute for post-graduate training in Mexico City. She did social work for 17 years in Bangladesh, Thailand, Netherlands, and Uruguay, and also has an extensive background in facilitating holistic healing and spiritual growth. She also provided training and conducted psychotherapy in Mexico and Guatemala for 8 years. Ms. de Vries speaks Dutch, Spanish and English fluently, and has translated many of the TI/CTI materials into Spanish.

Karen G. Johnston, MSW, LCSW, is currently a trainer and consultant, and previously worked at the Massachusetts Children's Trust Fund, providing training and support to program staff, particularly supervisors, in the Healthy Families Massachusetts program. She has been working in the family support field (with a focus on home visiting) since 1995 and in human services since 1989. She has provided training on numerous topics in various social service settings, including presentations at A View From All Sides (parenting education conference), the Family Support Institute, Massachusetts Early Intervention Conference, National Conference on Child Abuse & Neglect (NCCAN), and several Prevent Child Abuse America national conference. Ms. Johnston has been a foster parent with the Massachusetts Department of Social Services and is the adoptive mother of two children.

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