About Me
Dr. Karen Gail Lewis – Family & Sibling Therapist
Welcome. Let me tell you about myself.
Licensed Therapist
I am a family & sibling therapist with a masters degree in social work and a doctorate in consulting psychology. In the early 1970s, I became involved in the early movement of family therapy, identifying myself as a family therapist.
Over these many years I have incorporated a number of other ways to help individuals, couples, and families, such as Unique Retreats for Women and for Single Women and Weekend Retreats for Adult Siblings. I have published hundreds of articles and more than eight books about relationships in general and for marriage, adult siblings, and single women. I have also spoken both nationally and internationally on these same topics. Over the years, all of this has brought me much media attention.
Explore the other pages of my web for information about these other services. And, if you have questions, please contact me. I love answering questions.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION
Boston University, B.A., 1966.
Boston University School of Social Work, MSW, 1971
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Ed.D., 1988
ADDITIONAL TRAINING
Courses with Salvador Minuchin, Virginia Satir, Carl Whitaker, Peggy Papp, Murray Bowen, Jay Haley, Ackerman Family Institute, Center for Family Learning, Mental Research Institute, Boston Family Institute.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
I have been a long time active member of the major Family/Family Therapy associations. I have been on the editorial boards and book review editor of five professional journals.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Johns Hopkins Medical Center, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Family & Children Services
Universidad Catolica de Chile, Escuela de Trabajo Social, Santiago, Chile
Catholic University, School of Social Work, Washington, D.C.,
University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Child Psychiatry
PRIVATE PRACTICE
Private practice: couples, families, children, groups, individuals, single adults
Teaching, Supervision, Training, Consultation
Founder of Unique Retreats for Women, Siblings, Couples.
Expert witness in child custody, sexual harassment, sexual abuse,
Consultant to D.C. Rape Crisis Center, (Recipient of Visionary Award, 1997)
Incest Research Project, Consultant, Dept of Social Services, P.G. George County, Md.,
PROFESSIONAL ARTICLES
JOURNAL ARTICLES
(for details, contact me)
Is marital status a hidden problem…or not a problem at all?
Four pillars of wisdom: Helping singles counteract conflicting cultural messages
A life stage model should include single women: Clinical implications for
addressing ambivalence
Always single and single again women: A qualitative study
Treating the absent man: Is it possible? Is it ethical?
Siblings: A hidden resource
The use of color coded genograms in family therapy
The missing woman: Intensive family-oriented treatment of bulimia
Sibling therapy: A blend of family and group therapy
Bulimia as a sibling communication
Sibling therapy with multi-problem families.
Systemic play therapy: A tool for social work consultation to inner-city
community mental health centers.
Sibling therapy, part I and part II
Children of lesbians: Their point of view
Friendship skills group: Short-term social work intervention
MEDIA
I have been interviewed dozens of time on local, national, and international television and radio shows, magazines and newspapers, and internet blogs.
WORKSHOPS/PRESENTATIONS
(I’ve given hundreds of professional workshops. Listed here are only the topics. For details, contact me)
Women’s Issues/Gender Issues
Therapy and single women
Feminist supervision
Feminist Oriented Couples Therapy
Experiential Techniques in Working with Sexually Abused Women
Therapy For and By Men and Women of the ‘90s.
Women Running Men’s Groups
What Single Women Need From Their Therapist
Women’s Friendships: Asset or Deterrent to Professional Growth?
Feminist Issues for Family Therapist Trainees
Sibling Therapy
Siblings: Theory and Therapy
Dick and Jane Grow Up: Siblings’ Taking Care of Their Aging Parents
Siblings in Foster Care: 3 step approach
College Students and Their Siblings
Siblings: Hidden Resource or Hidden Transference?
Symptoms: A Sibling Communication
Sibling Therapy with Disorganized Families
Family Therapy
When Venus and Mars Meet ADD:
Multi-Racial Couples
Family Therapy Training When Therapists and Clients are of a Different Race
The Use of Color-Coding Genograms in Family Therapy
Difficult Family? Difficult Agency? Difficult Treatment Model?
Use of Humor in Therapy
Professionals Working with Divorce and Separation
Children of Lesbians: Their Point of View
How Families and Family Roles Evolve
Eating Disorders
Eating Disorders in the Schools and for Law Students
New Developments in the Understanding and Treatment of Bulimia
Eating Disorders: Necessary Basic Ingredients
Family Therapy Programs for Eating Disorders
Groups
When (Co-) Leaders and Group Members are of a Different Race
The Evolving Process of Supervision
Juvenile Sexual Abuse Victim-turned Offenders:
Multi-Family Groups: A Versatile Modality
Group Therapy for Experienced Therapists
Organizing and Running Groups
Design and Use of Structured Exercises in Group Therapy
Supervision of Children’s Groups
Friendship Skills Group: Intensive, Short-Term Model for Children
Getting Started is Easy
Free 20 Min Chat
Call to discuss your needs.
Call for Appointment
Call or Email to begin your journey.
1st Session!
Let's get started healing together.
Contact Me
Ask a question or call for a secure virtual session for people in the U.S. and internationally.
For emergencies call 911 or visit your nearest hospital.