2050 Washtenaw, Ste West
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
734-417-2664
dawn@dawnchalker.com
www.dawnchalker.com
M.A., Guidance and Counseling, the University of Michigan, 1975
B.S., Social Science, English, Western Michigan University, 1972
Licensed Professional Counselor, the State of Michigan, 1993
Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, Association for Play Therapy, 2005
Michigan Continuing Teaching Certificate, Guidance and Counseling K-12, social studies and English 7-12, 1991
Trauma and Loss School Specialist, the National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children
Low ropes adventure instructor, Monroe County ISD
Child and family therapist, private practice, Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti, March 2005 to present
Provide assessment and diagnosis; conduct therapy with adults, adolescents, children and families; consult with parents and schools; supervise play therapists.
Elementary school counselor, Saline Area Schools, June 2005 to January 2007
Counseled students in grades 1-4; facilitated small groups for grief, divorce/blended families, friendship/social skills; taught classroom lessons; consulted with teachers and parents; participated in Child Study Team; organized and implemented orientations for new students and their parents; wrote monthly newsletter article.
Elementary school counselor, Monroe Public Schools, August 1993 to June 2005
Counseled students in grades K-6; taught classroom lessons; consulted with teachers and parents; trained and supervised 5th grade conflict managers for peer mediation; provided training for para educators in conflict management skills.
Counselor, Ypsilanti Adult Education, June 1991- August 1993
Planned and implemented group orientation sessions; evaluated high school credits; registered students for high school completion and vocational classes; and counseled adult students regarding school and personal concerns.
Counselor and teacher, Willow Run Adult Education, January 1991- June 1993
Assisted students in career exploration; evaluated high school credits; registered students for high school completion and vocational classes; taught four subjects in GED preparation classes.
Teacher, Community High School, Romulus, September 1990- June 1991
Taught history and English in an alternative high school.
Teacher, Brighton Options Program, September 1989-August 1990
Taught history and English to court adjudicated youth in an alternative school/work program.
Help Children Through Divorce With Play Therapy, MIAPT, February 2010
Play Therapy Across the Lifespan, Ann Arbor Network Group, November 2009
Selective Mutism, Dexter Community Schools, February 2009
Play Therapy With Different Populations, Michigan Counseling Association Annual Conference, October 2008
Selective Mutism: Assessment and therapy, Ann Arbor Network Group, January 2008
Play Therapy: Self Awareness, Self Knowledge, Healing, Michigan Counseling Association Annual Conference, October 2007
Play Therapy: Theories and Techniques, Washtenaw Community College, July 2007, July 2008
Play Therapy: Strategies and Techniques, Mental Health Networking Group, April 2007
Helping Kids Cope With Stress, Saline Area Schools PTA, 2006
Developing an Elementary School Counselor Curriculum, Michigan School Counselor Association Conference, 1995
Using Conflict Management With Kids, Monroe Schools, 1994
"Can You Kazoo?" in Liana Lowenstein, Assessment and Treatment Activities for Children, Adolescents, and Families Volume 2: Practitioners Share Their Most Effective Techniques, 2010.
Michigan Association for Play Therapy, Program Chair 2009-10, President 2008-09, President-Elect 2007-08, Nominations and Elections Committee, member 1993-present
Association for Play Therapy, 1993-present
Michigan Counseling Association, 1992-present
Selective Mutism Group
Ann Arbor Networking Group, 2007-present