Trainers/Workshop Facilitators

Theodora Ann Drescher, MSW, LCSW

Trainer / Workshop Facilitator

Adoption Love and Service

WA License  LW00004297

Tacoma, WA

(253) 324-1185

Theadrescher@gmail.com

Thea is a 45 year old adoptive mother to a 4 year old little girl adopted from China. Her passion for adoption work was peaked as a result of her own adoption journey. Since 2005 Thea has found joy and delight in helping children and families find each other. She has nearly 25 years of social work experience with high risk youth which has been a solid foundation in her success with adoptive families.

Thea has a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Boston College, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from State University of New York at Stony Brook. Her concentration in both academic programs was on clinical social work with children and families. She has been a child and family therapist in community agencies and in Special Education Programs in several school districts.  She finished her work in Special Education as a Behavior Consultant to school administrators and teachers.  

Thea has been teaching Psychology, Sociology, and Human Services at the college and university level since 2000. Currently she has been assigned to teach at the University of Washington, Tacoma in the School of Social Work Program. She has taught in the elective and core classes of the undergraduate and graduate programs. It has been her pleasure to introduce attachment and adoption issues to all her students and especially the graduate students in the Advanced Clinical Practice Class.

As a Social Worker in an Adoption Agency, Thea had the responsibility to coordinate, organize and present educational materials on adoption issues to families waiting to adopt. She was also instrumental in creating a Parent Training Manual that is still in use today.

These monthly workshops included topics such as:

ATTACHMENT AND BONDING IN ADOPTION

GRIEF AND LOSS ISSUES IN ADOPTION

EFFECTS OF INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT

TRANS RACIAL FAMILY ISSUES

Suzanne Engelberg, PhD

License-WA1948

206-542-7516 ext.105

DrEngelberg@verizon.net

18532 Firlands Way N, Suite A
Shoreline, WA 98133

Dr. Engelberg is a popular workshop leader on topics of child development, parenting and school difficulties with nearly 20 years of experience. Her workshops have been sought out by professionals, community groups and parents. Sample topics have included:
• White Parents Raising Children of Color-What Every Parent Should Know
• Attachment in Foster Care and Adoption
• Preparing for the Teen Years
• Communicating with Your Child
• Family Therapy and Adoption
• Adolescent Girls’ Development
• Positive Parenting for Preschoolers
• Helping Children Behave at School
• Learning Disabilities in the Classroom
• Understanding Sexual Minority Youth

Dr. Engelberg’s qualifications include being a Licensed Clinical Child Psychologist with nearly 20 years experience leading workshops and providing therapy for adopted children and their families. She has additional expertise with multi-cultural families and families with lesbian or gay parents.

Dr. Engelberg is a past Senior Clinician for the Adoption Resource Center of Children’s Home Society of Washington, and past Coordinator of the Jewish Adoption Consultation, Information and Referral Service of Jewish Family Service. She is a former school counselor and school psychologist, and has been quoted in national magazines.

Dr. Engelberg says, “Teaching is one of my great professional joys. I use humor and real-life examples to create dynamic, interactive workshops that are fun, interesting and useful. Participants leave my training's feeling energized, enthusiastic and ready to put their new knowledge to work.”

Dr. Engelberg is available for partial-day, full-day, and multi-day workshops and trainings. The length and specific topic will be tailored to fit the sponsoring organization.

Dr. Engelberg also provides Therapy Services, Parent Educator/Family Coaching Services and Pre-Adoption Consultation Services.

Shelley Sears-Seigal M.Ed., MA Psy.

RC00054796

Positive Steps
9814 Harborview Place
Gig Harbor, WA 98332

253-241-8566

shelleysears@mypositivesteps.com

www.mypositivesteps.com

Shelley works with young children (from birth and up), families, teenagers, adult individuals and couples. Her work with children includes specialties in foster/adoption issues, attachment and separation, children with special needs, specialized tutoring, home-school support, school related anxiety and behavioral issues.

Workshop subject include, but are not limited to:

When It’s Not Working in schools: Understanding Our Children’s Symptoms
Understanding the Public School IEP Process
Stress and Stress Management
Learning to Teach Your children at Home

Shelley also provides Counseling/Therapy Services, Educational Consulting/Advocacy Services, and Parent Educator/Family Coaching Services.

Shelley provides services in her office in Gig Harbor or in the home of clients.

Yolanda Comparan, MSW

888-777-1538

Yolanda@adoptionreferralservice.com

Yolanda is an adoption expert who knows adoption as a professional with a Master’s of Social Welfare and as a parent by adoption to two middle-schoolers. Her training expertise is valuable and appropriate for parents and professionals.

Yolanda provides training in the following topics:
• Starting out in adoption: Is it right for you?
• Education and the schools: How to help your child succeed.
• Advocating for your child in the schools.
• Promoting your child’s cultural pride.
• Books and other resources to improve your understanding of your child and improve your family life.
• Gifts and Passions: Encourage and support pride and self esteem in your child.
• Resources available to families and professionals.
• Open adoption: Tips on how to make it work for you, your child, your family and birth family

Yolanda offers two to four hour workshops/training sessions custom designed to address your needs, questions and concerns. Material presented can fulfill requirements for international adoptions and private agency adoptions.

Participants will leave workshop with;
• Reliable written resources
• Up to date information and a recommended reading list
• Books to review during and after workshops

Call to discuss training options for your group or agency.