Courtney, Deborah

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Deborah M. Courtney, PhD, LCSW, MA
Graduate School of Social Service
113 W. 60th Street
New York, NY 10023
Courtney@fordham.edu
(914) 907.6046


EDUCATION Ph.D. (May 2014)
Graduate School of Social Service, Fordham University, New York
Dissertation Title: Using EMDR to Treat Trauma in Children and
Adolescents: Clinicians Experiences Using the EMDR Journey Game
Advisor: Dr. Maddy Cunningham

M.S.W. (May 2008)
Graduate School of Social Service, Fordham University, New York

M.A., Forensic Psychology (May 2006)
CUNY John Jay, New York
Masters Thesis: Personality Traits in Alcohol, Cocaine, Marijuana,
Heroin, and Poly Substance Abusers

B.A., Political Science (May 2003)
University of Richmond, Virginia

University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
Fall 2001

LICENSE

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), New York State, License # 078608-1


HONORS AND FELLOWSHIPS

2009-2012 Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service, Research Assistantship
Tuition Grant
2007-2008 Children and Families Institute for Research, Children FIRST Scholar, Support
and Training
2008 Commencement Speaker, Fordham University, Graduate School of Social Service






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TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Adjunct Faculty, Fordham University, Spring 2011 - present
Clinical Seminar
Clinical Social Work Practice I
Clinical Social Work Practice II
Advanced Assessment and Diagnosis
Womens Issues in Social Work Practice
Adjunct Faculty, Online Course Development and Online Teaching
Clinical Social Work Practice II
Adjunct Faculty, Touro College, Summer 2012
Research
Adjunct Faculty, Mercy College, Fall 2011 - present
Field Advisor
Guest Lecturer, Fordham University, 2009-2011
Trauma Assessment and Treatment
Overview of EMDR
TEACHING INTERESTS
Generalist and Clinical Practice: Individual, Family, Group and Community
Cultural Competence and Diversity in Practice
Mental Health/Health Interventions and Services
Trauma Informed Clinical Treatment
Spirituality
Substance Abuse

CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

Private Practice, New York, New York, June 2013 present

Psychotherapist, A Comprehensive Counseling, Rego Park, New York, June 2011 June 2013

Psychotherapist, Brooklyn Center for Psychotherapy, Brooklyn, New York,
August 2009 August 2011

Intensive In-Home Child and Adolescent Clinician (Yale Program), Family and Childrens
Agency, Norwalk, Connecticut, June 2008 August 2009

Clinical Social Work Intern, Four Winds Hospital, Katonah, New York,
September 2007- June 2008
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Staff Development Coordinator/Trainer, Putnam ARC, Brewster, New York,
February 2007 June 2008

Clinical Social Work Intern, Womens Resource Center, Mahopac, New York,
September 2006 June 2007


RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Research and Teacher Assistant, Fordham University, New York, New York,
September 2009 present

Research Assistant, Fordham University, Qualitative Coding Research Project for a National
Trauma Study under the supervision of Dr. Virginia Strand, December 2011 present

Clinical Research Assistant, CASA, Columbias National Center on Addiction and Substance
Abuse, October 2004 July 2006

Research Assistant, Australian Parliament, Melbourne, Australia
Fall 2001


INTERNATIONAL TRAINING/CONSULTATION EXPERIENCE

Intensive Seminar Course Curriculum, prepared for The National University of Social Science,
Ha Noi, Vietnam, Curriculum Development for two courses taught by Dr. Paul DuongTran,
Summer 2010 (Social Work in Mental Health, Social Work in Public Health)

Clinical Supervision (pro bono), Hagar International, Vietnam, Supervision of Trauma Intensive
Social Work Practices, 2010 present

Intensive Seminar Course Curriculum prepared for Jesuit Commons, Curriculum Development
for Case Management Degree Program for Refugees in two African Refugee Camps,
Fall 2010 Fall 2011

South Africa, Lion Park, Fostered the well-being of abandoned and orphaned lion cubs


ENTREPRENEURIAL EXPERIENCE

EMDR Journey Board Game Creator, www.emdrjourney.com, 2010

Clinical Trainer, Various School and Agencies, 2009 present


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PUBLICATIONS

Lobenstine, F. & Courtney, D. (2013). A Case Study: The Integration of Intensive EMDR and
Ego State Therapy to Treat Comorbid Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, and
Anxiety. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 7(2).

Strand, V., Hansen, S. & Courtney, D. (2013). Common elements across trauma treatments:
Exploration and discovery. Advances in Social Work (Accepted, In print).

Courtney, D. & Hanson, M. (2012). Alcoholism and other drug addictions. In A. Gitterman, Ed.,
Handbook of social work with vulnerable and resilient populations, 3
rd
Ed. New York:
Columbia University Press.

Courtney, D. & Maschi, T. (2012). Trauma and stress among older adults in prison: Breaking the
cycle of silence. Traumatology, 19(1), 73-81.

Maschi, T., Perillo, J. & Courtney, D. (2012). Releasing their stories: A qualitative study of juvenile
justice involved youth with histories of mental health issues and violence. Journal of
Forensic Social Work, 1(2), 132-158.

Maschi, T., Morgen, K., Zgoba, K., Courtney, D. & Ristow, J. (2011). Age, cumulative trauma and
stressful life events, and post-traumatic stress symptoms among older adults in prison: Do
subjective impressions matter? The Gerentologist, 51, 675-686.

Morrissey, M., Courtney, D., & Maschi, T. (2011). Sexual abuse histories among incarcerated older
adults: A descriptive study. InTech Online Books.
http://cdn.intechopen.com/pdfs/33655/InTech-
Sexual_abuse_histories_among_incarcerated_older_adult_offenders_a_descriptive_study.pdf


CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

Courtney, D. Trauma in Older Adult Prisoners. Council on Social Work Education: Annual
Conference. November 9-12, 2012, Washington, DC.

Courtney, D. and Suftin, S. What Older Prisoners Report About How They Cope with the Prison
Experience: Implications for Prison Treatment. American Criminological Society: Annual
Conference. November 17-18, 2011, Washington, DC.

Courtney, D. and Suftin, S. A Content Analysis of Trauma and Stress Among Older Adults in the
Criminal Justice System. American Criminological Society: Annual Conference.
November 17-18, 2011, Washington, DC.

Courtney, D. and Suftin, S. Trauma Among Younger and Older Prisoners. Does Age Make a
Difference? American Criminological Society: Annual Conference. November 17-18,
2011, Washington, DC
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Courtney, D., & Maschi, T. Trauma and Stress Among Older Adults In Prison: Breaking the Cycle
of Silence. State Society on Aging 39
th
Annual Conference. October 26 28, 2011,
Saratoga, New York.

Courtney, D. Age, Cumulative Trauma and Stressful Life Events, and Post-traumatic Stress
Symptoms Among Older Adults in Prison: Do Subjective Impressions Matter? Be The
Evidence Project: Aging Prisoners Forum. October 8, 2011. Fordham University, New
York, New York.

Courtney, D. Creative Applications of EMDR. Be The Evidence Project: Arts for Individual and
Social Change Forum. September 24, 2011. Fordham University, New York, New York.

DuongTran, P., & Courtney, D. A Comparative Study of Intimate Partner Violence and Contextual
Variables. Accepted at The International Conference: Violence against women, the
complex realities and new challenges in a changing world, May 29 June 1, 2011,
Montreal, Canada.

DuongTran, P., & Courtney, D. Psychological Sense of Community Among Vietnamese Refugees
and Immigrants: Factors in Social Change and Empowerment. Accepted at The Fourth
International Social Work Conference. March 25 28, 2011, Los Angeles, California.

DuongTran, P., & Courtney, D. Cyber-dangers: Sexual Bullying and Exploitation. Presented at
International Conference on Urban Health, October 27-31, 2010, New York, New York.


CONFERENCE EXHIBITS

Courtney, D. EMDR Journey Board Game, Exhibited at EMDR Europe, June 10-13, 2010,
Hamburg, Germany.

Courtney, D. EMDR Journey Board Game, Exhibited at EMDRIA, September 29 October 3, 2010,
Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Courtney, D. EMDR Journey Board Game, Exhibited at the EMDR Humanitarian Assistance
Booth at EMDRIA, August 25 August 28, 2011, Orange County, California.

SERVICE:

Journal Article Reviewer:
Traumatology Journal
Clinical Case Studies
Fundraising Efforts
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Meals on Wheels for Elderly in NYC

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EXPERTISE

Clinical Practice with children, adolescents, adults and families
Group work
Trauma informed treatment
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
Past Life Regression Hypnosis
Practicing from an Evidence Based Perspective
Quantitative and Qualitative Data Analysis
Research Report Writing
Children and Families - Trauma informed policy and practice
Yoga, Meditation and Breath Work
Reiki

CERTIFICATIONS/SKILLS

Licensed Clinical Social Worker New York State
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) EMDR HAP
Past Life Regression Hypnosis Dr. Brian Weiss
Mindfulness and Freedom: Integration of Buddhism and Western Psychology Dr. Epstein
Reiki Training
The Relational Trauma of Incest: A Family Based Treatment Approach Ackerman Institute
A Systemic Approach to Working with Children in Foster Care Ackerman Institute
School Social Work Certification New York State Department of Education
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

National Association of Social Workers
Society for Social Work and Research
Council on Social Work Education
EMDR International Association
EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Program