Patti Criswell, A.C.S.W.

Certified Social Worker

“I am committed to providing a safe and comfortable environment where clients can heal or move through developmental or transitional difficulties.
I specialize in working with adolescents and their families.”

Special Interests

Adolescents and pre-adolescents, family counseling, parenting, women’s issues, working with young adults in transition

Experience

• In private practice with Child & Family Psychological Services since 1994
• Author of A Smart Girl’s Guide to Friendship Troubles, published by the American Girl Library (2003), winner of the NAPPA Honors Award
• Author of What Would You Do?, published by the American Girl Library (2004)

• Author of Friends, Making Them and Keeping Them, published by the American Girl Library (2006)

• Consultant and writer for The American Girl Magazine and the “For Parents” Web site and a syndicated advice column in Knight-Ridder newspapers, 1998 - present
• Mental Health Consultant on several books for the American Girl Library, including HELP: A Girl’s Guide to Divorce and Step Families (1998), Real Beauty, a book on developing a healthy body image (2004) and Real Spirit, a book on managing stress and anxiety (2005)
• Family Counselor for at-risk families, Family & Children Services, Kalamazoo, 1991 - 1994

Education

• M.S.W., Social Work, Western Michigan University, 1991
• B.S., University of Wisconsin, 1987

Professional Affiliations

• National Association of Social Workers
• Academy of Certified Social Workers

Insurances Accepted

BCBS - WMU, BCBS - State Employees, Value Options, PHP, IBA, PPOM, Preferred Partners, HHS, VBH - State Employees, Aetna, UHC
Other insurance plans may be accepted; please inquire.