Maria Sylvester, MSW, CPC

EDUCATION

Certified Professional Coach 2008-2009

International Coach Academy - Accredited by ICF

Masters Degree in Social Work 1984

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

Clinical Social Work Major

Administration Minor

GPA 4.0

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology 1978 -1980

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

Specialization: Child Psychology

Graduated with Distinction

GPA: 3.5

Psychology Major 1976 -1978

John Carroll University

Cleveland, Ohio

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Life and Wellness Coach 2006 - present

Ann Arbor, MI

As Life and Wellness coach, and Founder of Ann Arbor’s Life Empowerment

Coaching and Healing Arts Center, offer face-to-face or telephone coaching

to adolescents, adults, and couples. Provide a structured, safe arena for

individuals to explore, develop, and implement strategies that help them fulfill

personally identified intentions or goals. Areas of focus include enhanced

performance or health, or personal, business, or spiritual growth. Clients

are assisted in developing action plans, and making behavioral changes.

They are supported and encouraged to maintain focused action, and

achieve mastery in areas of their choosing. Challenging techniques and

questions are used to create new perspectives, and help clients overcome

obstacles that interfere with goal achievement and overall life satisfaction.

Therapist in Private Practice 1988 - 2006

Ann Arbor, MI

Evaluation and psychotherapy of adolescents, adults, couples, and families.

Treated clients suffering from depression, anxiety, personality and eating disorders,

grief and loss issues, and emotional, physical and sexual abuse. Helped individuals

with career and life transitions, anger management, self-esteem and marital/

relationship issues.

Clinical Social Worker 1985 -1989

Adolescent Psychiatry Service - University of Michigan Hospital

As multidisciplinary team member, functioned as primary therapist and family

therapist for severely disturbed adolescents and families. Evaluated families

and formulated treatment plans, goals and diagnoses. Conducted outpatient

therapy with individuals, families and couples. Worked with mental health

professionals in the community, referring agencies, after-care placements and

courts. Taught, trained and supervised social work interns. Conducted scholarly

presentations for staff and trainees.

Clinical Social Work Internship 1983 -1984

Adolescent Psychiatric Service - University of Michigan Hospital

As multidisciplinary team member, functioned as primary therapist, case manager,

and family therapist for severely disturbed adolescents and families. Formulated

treatment plans, goals and diagnoses. Conducted outpatient therapy with

individuals, families, and couples. Worked with referring agencies, aftercare

placements, and courts. Actively involved in committee that revised intake

procedures.

Child Care Counselor 1981 - 1983

Girlstown Foundation

Bellville, MI

Supervised emotionally disturbed adolescent girls in a residential treatment facility.

Planned, organized, and directed parent guidance group. Developed and

implemented art therapy group. Designed individual treatment plans and milieu

interventions based on a psychosocial frame of reference.

University of Michigan Children’s Center 9/80 - 5/81

Ann Arbor, MI

Preschool Teacher Assistant

Worked with children ages 2-5. Planned, structured, and taught individual and

group activities. Emphasis on early childhood development, education, and basic

living skills.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Hospital 9/80 - 2/81

Ann Arbor, MI

Child Analytic Study Program - Substitute Teacher Assistant

Supervised children ages 3-5 in special Nursery School/Research Program designed

to study normal human development and early socialization processes.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Hospital 8/80 - 9/80

Ann Arbor, MI

Child Analytic Study Program - Volunteer Position

Worked with severely emotionally impaired children ages 4-12 in Day Treatment

Service. Participated in multidisciplinary team meetings and case conferences.

Helped formulate behavioral and academic goals. Assisted in art classroom and

Summer Day Camp Program. Designed learning aids; assisted in devising lesson

plans.

North East Guidance Center 4/77 - 8/77

Detroit, MI

Mental Health Volunteer

Developed and implemented an arts and crafts program for emotionally disturbed

adolescent girls.

CONFERENCE Family Work in a Residential Setting

PRESENTATION 15th Annual Child Care Conference

Michigan Child Care Workers Association, Ann Arbor, MI

PROFESSIONAL International Coach Academy

AFFILIATIONS International Coach Federation