About Tucson Therapist, Sylvia K. Neal, MSW, LCSW
Sylvia K. Neal, MSW, LCSW, PLLC, is a licensed clinical social worker specializing in the field of sexual abuse and trauma. She has worked in this area for over 10 years starting with female adult survivors of sexual abuse and sexual assault and has dedicated much of her work to the area of sexual abuse, incest, perpetration and sexual acting out. She also has extensive experience working with depression, anxiety, trauma, addictions, anger, violence and abuse.
Sylvia received her Master of Social Work at Arizona State University in 2001.
In 2002, she received her Certified Master Social Worker, SW-10388M through the Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.
She received her Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW-10922 in 2004, through the Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.
- From 1992 – 1993, following her Bachelor’s Degree, Sylvia was an Educator/Facilitator at the Women’s Health Focus in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Sylvia assisted in the teaching and instruction of various workshops for women which included Women & Depression, Self-Empowerment, Sexual Abuse and Sexual Assault Prevention.
- From 1994 – 1995, Sylvia began a Certified Mediator in the state of Virginia.
- From 1997 – 1998, Sylvia worked at La Hacienda for Children and Families in Tucson, Arizona first as a Child Care Specialist and then eventually being promoted as a Assistant Lead Child Care Specialist. Sylvia provided direct care to emotionally and behaviorally disturbed children. She eventually was promoted to the Assistant Lead Supervisor for the management and supervision of the operation of a boys’ group home program.
- From 1998 – 2004, Sylvia worked at La Paloma Family Services, Inc. initially as a supervisor of a boys’ therapeutic group home, then as their Intern Therapist and eventually as a Program Therapist. She managed and supervised the operation of a $400,000 program to work with emotionally and psychiatrically disturbed adolescent males. As the Intern Therapist and Therapist Sylvia provided individual, family and group therapy to adolescents to address the emotional and behavioral difficulties ranging from deviant sexual behaviors, social skills development, alcohol and substance abuse treatment as well as the full array of mental health diagnoses for children.
- From 2000 – 2001, Sylvia did her Internship for her Master of Social Work, through Pima County Juvenile Court Center with the Sex Offender Unit of Probation. Sylvia interviewed and investigated juveniles who committed sexual offenses and their families for trial services.
- In 2001, Sylvia was Program Therapist for Arizona Youth Associates in Phoenix, Arizona. She provided individual, family and group therapy to boys who had committed sexual offenses and/or are sexually reactive.
- From 2004 – 2005, Sylvia worked as a Therapist for Counseling & Consulting Services, Inc. primarily providing sex offender therapy but also worked with Child Protective Services’ clientele and families.
- From 2005 – 2006, Sylvia was the Clinical Director of Casa de Tucson, a boys’ therapeutic group home for adjudicated and non-adjudicated juvenile sexual offenders. Sylvia provided the individual, family and group therapy for the adolescent males and their families. Many of the youth had emotional and behavioral difficulties ranging from deviant sexual behaviors, sexual offending/perpetrating, sexual acting out, poor social skills, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, impulse control problems, Asperger’s Disorder, as well as the full array of mental health diagnoses in children,
Memberships
• National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
• Clinical Member of The Association of the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA)
• Member and Secretary of Arizona’s Chapter of The Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (AzATSA)
Trainings Presented
- Reality Therapy/Choice Theory: The Theory of Human Behavior & Application in Treatment.
- Juveniles Who Have Sexually Offended: Understanding Juveniles Who Have Sexually Offended: The Rehabilitation & Treatment Process.
- Self-Empowerment: Granting Yourself the Power and Permission to Live Your Life Your Way.
- Women & Depression: Understanding & Recovering From Depression - The Illness that Involves your Body, Mood and Thoughts.
- The Courage To Heal: An Educational & Support Series for Women Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse based on the book The Courage To Heal
- Sexual Assault: The Healing & Recovery for Survivors of Sexual Assault
Trainings Attended
The Chemistry of Rage: January 22, 1998
Understanding the Neuro-Biology of
Early Childhood Abuse & Neglect
Priscilla Misner, ACSW, CISW,
Kenny Miller, CISW
Negotiating with Clients Without Taking Over or Giving In: July 9, 1998
Ann Yellott, Ph.D.
Update on Neuropsychiatric Disorders: March 18, 1999
Treating & Parenting Children with: March 16-17, 2000
Reactive Attachment Disorder
Nancy Thomas,
Dr. William N. Goble, Ph.D.
Substance Abuse Issues for Adolescents: January 25, 2001
George D. Comerci, MD, FAAP
Sex Crimes – Sex Offenders: February 7–9, 2001
Amy Phenix, Ph.D., Peter Collins, M.D.,
Robert Freeman-Longo, MRC, LPC, Kenneth Lanning, FBI (retired)
Robert Farley, M.S., Roy Hazelwood, M.A., FBI (retired)
Understanding Sex Offenders by Lynn Gransie-Barwick: April 6, 2001
Carolyn Jackson & Laura Jacobs
Sex Offenders – Evaluation & Treatment: December 12-13, 2001
Anna Salter, PhD.
Behavior Disorders in Children & Adolescents: January 9, 2002
Mental Health & the Law in Arizona: March 21, 2002
Issues for Families in the New Century: January 8, 2003
Systematic Approach to Working with Adoption & Families
Nancy O’Kane, ACSW, CISW, BCD
Sexual Abuse: Adena Bank Lees September 30, 2003
The Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers: October 8 – 10, 2003
22nd Annual Research & Treatment Conference,
Gateway to Knowledge – Steps to Effective Treatment
A Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment Program for Sex Offenders: June 11, 2004
William L. Marshall, Ph.D.
Ethical Issues in Couple’s Treatment: June 17, 2004
Leonard Banes, CISW
The Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers: October 27 – 30, 2004
23rd Annual Research & Treatment Conference
Sex Offender Assessment & Rehabilitation: October 14, 2005
The Treatment in the Arizona Prison System,
Dr. Jeff Golde, Ph.D.
Burnout, Stress, & Fatigue: December 15, 2005
Institute for Natural Resources (INR)
Sex & Aging: Changes in the Aging Population: January 13, 2006
Dr. John H. Arnold, Ph.D.
Southwest Border: Latino Reality (Cultural Competence): March 31, 2006
Dr. Juan Paz, Ph.D.
Ethics in the Behavioral Health Care Environment: April 11, 2006
Bill Burnett, MAC, Prevention Manager, CPSA
Polygraphing The Post Convicted Sex Offender: April 7, 2006
APA ‘Best Practice’ Guidelines and AOC Specifications,
Jim Hanratty, APA
The Application of Attachment Theory: May 19, 2006
in Working with Juvenile Sexual Offenders,
Phil Rich, Ed.D., LICSW
Covert Conditioning: July 14, 2006
Effective Methods for Sex Offender Treatment ,
Dave Harvey, Ph.D.,
Philip Johnson, M.S.
Autism Spectrum Disorders & Asperger’s Disorder: August 15, 2006
Phil Johnson, M.S., Doctoral Candidate
Childhood Developmental Disorders: August 16, 2006
Cross Country Education
The Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers: September 27 – 30, 2006
24th Annual Research & Treatment Conference
Sexually Violent Persons Program: October 20, 2006
Progress & Trends,
Dawn Noggle, Ph.D.
RESTORE: Justice that Heals: January 12, 2007
Lesley Beach, Program Director of RESTORE
Resume
