Qualifications

Penny Blazej obtained her clinical therapist training at Columbia University. She graduated with highest honors in two disciplines, obtaining degrees in Clinical Social Work (Master of Science in Clinical Social Work)
and Public Health (Masters of Public Health).

1. Adolescents/Teens – Penny has over fifteen years of experience working with teens (13-20 year olds). Her experience was obtained by working for institutions like: in-patient adolescent psychiatric hospitals; community hospitals; alternative high schools; hospices and private practice. She currently sees teens individually and in groups. She has successfully facilitated a group titled "Becoming the Woman You Want To Be" for highschool age young ladies for the past four years.
2. Bereavement/Grief Therapy – Penny has over ten years experience in helping people deal with their losses. She has worked for hospices, hospitals, assisted living communities and nursing homes assisting families with end of life decisions. One of her specialties is working with terminally ill children and their families. She has facilitated bereavement support groups at Yale University, Cancer Care, Christian Counseling Center and various churches. She has provided crisis de-briefing for 911 Attack on America and Valley Center Paradise Fire victims. Penny is part of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) for Valley Center where she trains other members on the psychotherapy of trauma. She has written numerous articles and is an international presenter and writer on the subjects of grief, bereavement and trauma.
3. Sexual Abuse – Penny is honored to work with adult women who have been sexually abused as children. She gently facilitates their healing process by allowing the client to select which topics they want to address and letting them set the pace of work. She has also facilitates a long term Sexual Abuse Group for women.
4. Chronically Ill – With advanced training in Mind/Body medicine and Hypnosis, Penny is able to teach pain control to those who are chronically ill. This results in a significant increase in their quality of life and decreased use of medications. Penny also helps clients to develop new positive roles in life while honoring the limitations that their illnesses create.
5. Elderly Care Decisions – Penny has worked in community hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, rehabs, home care agencies and assisted living centers. She has experience in negotiating with hospital/medical systems to get treatment approval from managed care providers. She also aids in addressing Alzheimer/dementia diseases, selecting care facilities and making treatment decisions. Penny helps families develop care plans for their elderly loved ones, providing support to the elderly family member who is undergoing significant role and environmental changes. Additionally, she assists in developing a medical team, enhancing communication with that team and providing support therapy for family members.
6. Clinical Supervision – Penny is an approved Board of Behavioral Science Clinical Supervisor, which empowers her to sign off on the needed clinical hours for licensure for Clinical Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists. She has provided supervision for various hospital staffs as well as individuals. She also helps clinicians prepare for their licensing examinations
7. Couple Counseling -- MORE TEXT

Penny has your best interest at heart. If she is not qualified to address your issue, she has a strong network of therapists with a wide variety of specialties that she can refer you to.

Licenses:

• California (21570) since 2004
• New York (05327) since 1996
• Board Certified Diplomat in Clinical Social Work (29294) since 2002

Certifications:

• Clinical Social Workers in Gerontology (NASW-CSW-G)
• American Clinical Hypnosis Society certification in Clinical Hypnosis
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Board of Behavioral Science Clinical Supervisor

Organizations:

• California Society for Clinical Social Workers (CSCSW)
• Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Trainer
• Executive National Public Health Organization (NPHO)
• NASW Referral Organization (past Vice President)
• National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
• National Hospice Organization (NHO)
• President's Cancer Panel
• The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH)
• The Marquis Who's Who of American Women
• California Clinical Social Worker Association (CCSWA)
• Rotary International (Secretary of Valley Center Chapter)

Publications:

• "Antidepresants: Are They Safe During Pregnancy?", Oct. 2008 edition - Clinical Update. Published by California Society for Clinical Social Work
• Monthly "Mental Health" article for Valley Roadrunner
• Cited in: "Experts offer advice for dealing with grief during the holidays” by Joel D. Amos, Jamuary 3, 2007- North County Times
• Cited in: "It's too early to tell how Dungy's 'holding up's” by Tim Sullivan, December 28, 2005- Union Tribune
• "Trauma's Memory: Return of fire season can trigger unpleasant recollections” Sept. 1, 2004- Valley Roadrunner
• "After the smoke has cleareds” April 14, 2004- Valley Roadrunner
• "Remembering Katie” (Cover Story) Winter 1991 edition - National Hospice Organization Magazine
• “Getting Over It?”, Summer 1991 edition of Thanatos
• “How to Deal With Anger”, Feb. 1990 issue of The Bereavement Magazine
• “A Glimpse of a Mother’s Grief”, Feb. 1990 issue of Elisabeth Kubler-Ross International Newsletter
• Plus seventeen scientific publications

For more information go to:

• www.psychologytoday.com
• www.sandiegotherapists.com
• www.AMHA.com
• www.bbs.ca.gov