I am a clinical social worker with a passionate belief that play has the power to advance a healing process, and that healthy relationships have the power to serve as corrective experiences for individuals who have endured traumatic experiences. Grounded in these beliefs, I guide my clients to recover from interpersonal and sexual trauma by cultivating healthy relationships and attachments in their personal lives.

I have 18 years of experience in clinical and educational settings in the Northern Virginia area. I have provided  evidence-informed treatment to bilingual and bi-cultural child, adolescent, and adult survivors of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse.  In addition, I have worked with children and youth who experienced emotional dysregulation as a result of  attachment disruption and losses, children with problem sexual behaviors, and children who have issues of immigration, acculturation, and bi-culturalism.

As a result of my commitment to improved and specialized services to this population, I developed a strong voice and presence as an advocate in the  Fairfax County Public School System. I developed and presented trainings on the issue of trauma and its impact on learning, promoting the power of healthy relationships as remedial experiences. I also provided educational guidance on trauma-focused integrated play therapy treatments at state, regional, national and international levels.

I am a Virginia Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor (RPT-S), a Certified Parent Educator in Circle of Security Parenting Groups, and a Certified Theraplay provider. I received my Bachelor's degree in Psychology from George Mason University and my Master's degree in Clinical Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University.

I have received specialized training in several play-based assessment and treatment models for traumatized children and youth including the Extended Play-Based Developmental Assessment ; Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy; Boundary Project Assessment and Treatment Program; Trauma-Focused Integrative Play Therapy, and the Marshack Interactional Method, an assessment protocol used by Theraplay providers. In addition, I have had training in the expressive therapies including  art, sand, and play therapy interventions. I have also received specialized training in imagery education from the Center for Healing and Imagery.

I am excited to continue my individual, family and group work while nurturing my passion and commitment to training, education, and the clinical teachings of Dr. Gil.

 I am originally from Argentina and have lived in the United States since 1985.

Certifications

• Completed Certificate Program in Traumatic Stress Studies through the Trauma Center at Justice Resource Institute, MA. 2017-2018 Cohort.
• Registered Play Therapist Supevisor (RPT-S)
• Certified Theraplay Practitioner and Supervisor
• Certified Parent Educator in Circle of Security Parenting Groups
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

Specialized Services

• Experience providing evidence-informed treatment to children; adolescents, and adults survivors of trauma.
• Received specialty training in conducting Extended Play-Based Developmental Assessment; Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy; and Trauma-Focused Integrative Play Therapy.
• Received specialty training in imagery education from the Center for Healing and Imagery.
• Facilitated parenting support, psycho-education and process groups.
• Conducted groups for sexually abused children and adolescents, and for adolescents experiencing chronic stress due to exposure to multiple life adversities.

Professional Publications

• Goldin, M. (2010). A Tornado Disrupts the Wedding to the Relief of the Unwilling Bride: A girl’s quest for healing after being abused (149-170). New York, NY: The Guildford Press.
• Co-authored a chapter on Crenshaw's and Stewart's book: Play Therapy: A Comprehensive Guide to Theory and Practice. Guilford Press (2015).

Professional Affiliations

• Association for Play Therapy
• Virginia Association for Play Therapy

Teaching Experience

• Adjunct professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Social Work from 2008-2012. Myriam taught clinical practice and the delivery of social work services in school settings.
• Guest lecturer at the University of Virginia, Northern Virginia Campus, and local school districts on the subject of trauma and learning.
• International lecturer on integrated approach to working with abused children: play therapy and other approaches.