About

Lindy Swimm, MAE, LCSW

Has a Master's in Art Education (majoring in Art Therapy) from Southeastern Massachusetts University and a Master's in Clinical Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University. She utilizes attachment theory, trauma theory, structural family therapy, systems theory, family play therapy, and the expressive therapies to assist in creating developmentally appropriate service plans to meet specific needs of adults, adolescents, children and families.

In addition to owning her own art gallery and studio, Lindy has had over forty years of experience in direct care clinical services. She has worked as a program director for a therapeutic art program in a residential facility for adolescents, a children's program director for an agency that served women and children who are victims of domestic Violence and sexual assault and a clinical director for intensive in-home services. She also has extensive experience working with children and families in the foster care system providing pre and post-adoption support services. 

Professional Credentials

Licensed Clinical Social Worker 03/2005-Present through Virginia Board of Social Work Department of Health Professions

Areas Of Expertise

  • Creative Therapy interventions
  • E.M.D.R. integrative approach
  • Safety and Stabilization - regulation skill building
  • P.T.S.D. and disorders related to domestic Violence and sexual assault
  • Attachment Disruptions, attachment  wounds
  • Grief and Loss
  • Foster care and adoption  
  • Structural Family Therapy
  • Integrative Attachment Trauma Treatment for individuals, families, parent-child

Education

Master of Social Work : 2002 Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA
Field of Concentration: Clinical social work with individuals groups and families

Bachelor of Fine Arts : 1979 Swain School of Design, New Bedford, MA
Specialized Field: Humanities and Printmaking

High School Diploma : 1975 Apponequet Regional High School, Lakeville, MA Graduated, 1975 Majors: Art, Music

Master of Art Education : 1990 Southeastern Massachusetts University, Dartmouth MA
Specialized Field: Art Therapy and Special Needs

Certificate of Achievement : Expressive Art, and Monotype, Mass Art, Boston, MA

Certifications

  • 2024 Trauma Play ® Supervisor In Training
  • 2022 Trauma Play ® Certified Therapist
  • 2017 Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Certification. The Allegheny Health Network and the Rowan University CARES Institute
  • 2017 Certification in E.M.D.R./ Parent-Child Integrative Model. The Attachment Trauma Center of Nebraska
  • 2017 Approved Consultant through E.M.D.R.I.A. ( International Association), Austin, TX
  • 2013 Life Force Yoga ® Practitioner –level 1 certification Practitioner Training for Depression and Anxiety. Amy Wientraub, LifeForce Yoga ® Healing Institute
  • 2011 Supervision Certification program Family Therapy Supervision. Steven Greenstein PhD, Charlottesville League of Therapists
  • 2010 Certified E.M.D.R. therapist. E.M.D.R. International Association, Austin Texas
  • 2009 Certification Coding; Circle of Security Attachment Training. The Mary Ainsworth Attachment Clinic. The University of Virginia. Charlottesville, VA

Advanced Training

  • 2019 Safety and Stabilization Training (Ana Blum)
  • 2016 Central Virginia E.M.D.R./Trauma Recovery Network response Team, Volunteer
  • 2016 Teacher Training and Certification. Kidding around Yoga. Hauris Lender
  • 2004-2011 Weekly Structural Family Therapy Supervisors Training with Stephen Greenstein PhD owner, Director of Charlottesville League of Therapists Ph.D
  • 2006 Adoption Training for Clinical Competency (A.C.T.) and peer supervision group. The Center for Adoption Support and Education, Annandale, Virginia, 2006
  • 2002-2011 Clinical Supervision Mary Owen L.C.S.W., Founder of the Center for Attachment and Trauma Services, Springfield, VA
  • 2000-2001 Chesapeake Beach Play Therapy Training Institute, Falls Church, VA completed 150 hours of training
  • 1995-2004 National Trainer/Consultant. Nurturing Program ®
  • 1996-2004 YMCA: Mentor Program. Leesburg, VA

Grants, Honors and Awards

  • 2012 Adoption Advocate of the Year Award. Awarded by Charlottesville and Albemarle Department of Social services, Charlottesville VA
  • 2011 Domestic Violence Grant curriculum Development. Virginia Department of Social Service grant, Richmond VA. and Loudoun Citizens for Social Justice, Leesburg NA
  • 2003 Victim's Rights Award Curriculum Development. Awarded by the Justice Department, Leesburg VA
  • 1992 Arts Lottery Grant. Community art programs for children. "Art in the Park" series. E. Bridgewater Arts Council, E. Bridgewater MA
  • 1990 Arts Lottery Grant. Community awareness puppet programs for disabilities using nationally acclaimed "Kids on the Block" Puppet program Dorchester MA
  • 1989 Arts Lottery Grant. The Disappearing Farms of Bridgewater. E. Bridgewater Arts Council, E. Bridgewater, MA
  • 1987 Artist of the Year. Taunton Art Association and Cultural Center, Taunton MA

Publications and Presentations

  • 2018 Journal of E.M.D.R. Practice and Research Vol 12 Number 4. 2018. E.M.D.R. Intervention for a 17-month-old Child to Treat Attachment Trauma
  • 2015 Presentation: Effects of Trauma and Disrupted Attachment on School Performance and Learning. Elk hill School Charlottesville, VA
  • 2009 Presentation: Working with Traumatized Children. Community Court Appointed Advocacy program. Charlottesville, VA
  • 2007-2011 Development of a six module training program for use with in-home therapists to gain skills working with families who have experienced trauma and attachment disruptions. Presentations were provided throughout the state of Virginia
  • Booklet Series and training manual on domestic Violence through the Eyes of Children. Virginia Department of Social Service grant and Loudoun Citizens for Social Justice
  • 1994-2004 Presentations and trainings on domestic Violence and sexual assault for public community agencies, state and national conferences. Trainings throughout the state of Virginia and National Conferences on domestic Violence and sexual Assault
  • 1994-2004 Domestic Violence Curriculum presented throughout the State of Virginia and still being used for the Children's Program at Loudoun Citizens for Social Justice, Leesburg VA
  • 1997-2004 Expert Witness on Effects of Domestic Violence and sexual assault on Children Courts throughout the State of VA
  • 1996 P.C.A.V.: Prevent Child Abuse Virginia article, Effects pf Domestic Violence on Children
  • 2005-2008 Child Advocacy Task Force Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance. Richmond, VA

Volunteer Works

  • Virginia Community Response Network Volunteer - Each VCRN. association or chapter aims to be highly knowledgeable about the needs of its own community and well-networked as part of the local emergency response system or other supportive community service. The national network helps each chapter to keep up to date on emerging best practices for early treatment of psychological Trauma. When disasters are very large, the T.R.N. helps local chapters call upon clinicians from associations or chapters in other localities to contribute their own pro bono services, drawing on the same set of skills and methods.
  • E.M.D.R. Humanitarian Assistance Program Volunteer - Trauma Recovery/H.A.P. has provided direct recovery assistance to communities impacted by natural disasters and have also assisted in recovery efforts after many tragedies.
  • Virginia Medical Reserve Corps Volunteer - The Virginia Medical Reserve Corps (M.R.C.) is a force of dedicated volunteers who stand ready to support the community in the event of a public health emergency. Each of the 27 local M.R.C. units is comprised of teams of medical and public health professionals who, along with interested community members, volunteer their skills, expertise and time to support ongoing public health initiatives and assist during emergencies throughout Virginia.