Joal A Bennett-Stenzel, LCSW-C; LICSW (Mental Health Professional)

Divorce -- even one that is 'wanted' -- is a major and traumatic life event for everyone. Emotions are high, anxiety is high, and usually most people are 'at their worst.' And yet, life-altering decisions must be made, and this requires that everyone needs to be 'at their best.' My specialty in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy offers a unique and useful perspective. Emotions, instead of being 'destructive' and 'self-sabotaging,' can actually be useful in helping individuals to effectively face the challenging decisions they must make. Together, we work to help you bring your 'best self' to the table to design not just the 'end' of your marriage, but also the 'beginning' of your future life.
Firm/BusinessName: Joal Bennett-Stenzel, LCSW-C Address(es): 6935 Wisconsin Ave. Suite 304 Bethesda/Chevy Chase MD 20815 USA Phone: 301 523-4218 Fax: 301 765-7024 Email: joalb@aol.com Website: http://www.collablawmaryland.org
Practice Group Membership Collaborative Dispute Resolution Professionals, Inc.
Professional Activities National Associaion of Social Workers Greater Washington Society of Clinical Social Workers International Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy Association Washington School of Psychiatry
Professional Licenses Licensed Certified Social Worker - Clinical State of Maryland Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker District of Columbia
General Comments I have been in practice for over 25 years. During that time I have worked with many individuals and couples either going through separation and divorce, or who had gone through their parents' divorces. I've witnessed the misery and destructiveness that a 'bad divorce' creates: parents who can't co-parent; children who carry hate and guilt throughout their lives because they are made to 'choose;' adults who cannot allow themselves to love again because of so much baggage. The collaborative model appealed to me because of the way the couple can craft their own solutions instead of having a court do it. With the support and guidance of a team, the couple learns how to work together -- and hopefully co-parent together and provide a model for their children: that differences and disagreements do not have to result in war. The collaborative approach helps the couple maintain a healthy relationship based on honesty, fairness, and -- most importantly -- the well-being and best interests of their children.
Areas of Practice Divorce Coach
Education Undergraduate Education George Washington University Washington, D.C. Bachelor of Arts in Psychology 1981 Post-graduate Education Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, Virginia Master of Social Work 1984 Professional Education Washington School of Psychiatry Washington, D.C. Certified in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy 2003-2006
Collaborative Practice Training Year Training Type Instructor Hours 2006 Collaborative Divorce Interdisciplinary Team Training Laro Peggy Thompson, Ph.D. 20 2006 Collaborative Divorce Karen Freed, MSW, LCSW-C 3 2007 Collab. Dispute Resolution: Taking the War Out of Words Sharon Ellison, LCSW-C 6 2007 Dynamics of Divorce: Understanding Transference and Countertansfernce Katherine Killeen, Ph.D. 3 2008 Basic Mediation Training Cecilia Paizs, J.D. 40 2009 Building a Roadmap for Families in Transition: A Multidisciplinary Approach National Family Resiliency Center, Inc. 6 2009 Parenting Together After Separation...for Interdisc' Prof'ls Mont. County Divorce Roundtable 5 2009 Basics of Divorce for Non-Lawyers Collab. Prof's of No. Va 3 2009 Divorce Basics for Non-Lawyers Collab. Dispute Resolut. Prof'ls 3 2010 Jumpstarting Your Collaborative Practice Smollar,Robbins,Fauss,Avery 3
** I have reviewed the IACP Minimum Standards for Collaborative Practitioners and the IACP Ethical Standards for Collaborative Professionals. I verify that I meet the IACP Minimum Standards for Collaborative Practitioners and that I apply the IACP Ethical Standards for Collaborative Professionals in my collaborative practice. See IACP Standards > IACP does not verify the information provided by the professionals listed in this directory.
Continuing Education