DVORAH SIMON, Ph.D.
EDUCATION
Ph.D. Fordham University 1991; in Clinical Psychology.
M.A. Fordham University 1982; in Psychology.
B.A. Pomona College 1980; in Religion, cum laude, with Departmental Distinction.
LICENSURE
New York, California, and New Mexico
EXPERIENCE
3/09-present Psychologist, Veterans Health Administration, Albuquerque, NM. Clinical director of 16-bed residential program for homeless Veterans.
9/05-3/09 Psychologist, Veterans Health Administration, West Los Angeles. Provide mental health services and program development for V.A./Salvation Army Partnership program in Community Care of homeless women veterans. Consult to Salvation Army staff on case management. Develop group treatment to address substance abuse, sexual and other trauma, and mental health issues. Provide individual, couples, and group psychotherapy. Provide in-service training and clinical supervision to professional and non-professional staff on traumatic brain injury and other topics. Evaluate patients in homeless walk-in clinic to determine match with appropriate services; perform clinical reminders including assessment for depression, PTSD, TBI, and suicide risk. Provide individual and group psychotherapy for OEF/OIF Veterans with substance abuse and PTSD.
1/05-current Private practice, Los Angeles, CA. Licensed psychologist, CA 20481. Psychotherapy with individuals and couples. Expertise in Brief, Solution-Focused Therapy and Self Relations Therapy.
9/93-current Clinical Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY.
9/91-12/04 Private Practice, New York City. Licensed psychologist, NYS # 10977. Psychotherapy with individuals and couples. Expertise in Brief, Solution-Focused Therapy and Self Relations Therapy. Cognitive remediation and rehabilitation psychology with persons with cognitive impairments due to acquired brain injury. Supervision for licensed clinicians on theory and methods of brief, solution-focused therapy and other Ericksonian-informed treatment methods.
9/91-12/04 Psychologist (Senior Psychologist 1996), Psychology Outpatient Service, Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, N.Y.U. Medical Center, New York, NY.
– Clinical duties including neuropsychological and psychological assessment, individual and group cognitive remediation, individual and group psychotherapy and family therapy with persons with cognitive impairments due to acquired brain injury. Supervision and training of clinical staff and interns. Grand rounds presentations on research and clinical methods in brain injury and stroke. Administration of clinical service including patient assignments, case management, development, monitoring, and revision of treatment plans, overseeing group program, and tracking of documentation.
– Project Coordinator on a series of federally-funded (NIH) research projects developing and investigating the effectiveness of treatment protocols for cognitive impairments associated with acquired brain injury. Writing of grant proposals and reports. Most recent study: NIH #R01-HD32943, Leonard Diller, P.I., “Problem Solving in Acquired Brain Damage,” 1996-2001.
9/88-9/91 Project Coordinator, Psychosocial Stroke Project, Rusk Institute, N.Y.U. Medical Center, New York, NY.
Co-wrote and carried out federally-funded research project on the effectiveness of a psychosocial treatment program for stroke survivors and their families. Project results supported the efficacy of an integrative treatment model comprising family education and counseling, cognitive remediation, and behavioral practice of at-home functional activities.
2/85-9/88 Psychology Assistant, Rusk Institute, N.Y.U. Medical Center, New York, NY. Coordinated a project investigating neuropsychological outcome after cerebral aneurysm bleed.
9/83-9/84 Psychology Intern, V.A. Outpatient Clinic, Los Angeles, CA. Neuropsychological assessement, and individual, couples, and group psychotherapy with veterans and their family members. Weight management group, Vietnam Veterans support group.
TRAINING
9/86-9/87 Training in structural family therapy. One-way mirror supervision. Supervisor: Wynne Galanter, Ph.D. Bellevue Hospital, New York, NY
9/85-5/87 Training in psychodynamic psychotherapy. Greenwich Institute, Fifth Avenue Center for Counseling and Psychotherapy, New York, NY
5/86-5/87 Monthly 2-day training and supervision in Brief, Solution Focused Therapy. Instructors: Steve de Shazer, Insoo Kim Berg, and Eve Lipchik. New York, NY
3/89 Advanced 1-week seminar in Brief, Solution Focused Therapy. Instructors: Steve de Shazer, Insoo Kim Berg, and Scott Miller. Milwaukee, WI
7/05-7/08 Participation in annual 2-week advanced seminar in hypnotherapy and Ericksonian psychotherapy approaches. Instructor: Stephen Gilligan, Ph.D. Lake San Marcos, CA
PUBLICATIONS
Simon, D. (2008). Mercy. Santa Cruz: Hanford Mead. (spiritual life/poetry)
Rath, J., Langenbahn, D., Simon, D., Sherr, R., Fletcher, J. & Diller, L. (2004). The construct of problem solving in higher-level neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitation. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology.
Simon, D. (2004). The sleeping angel: Brokenness and blessing in the healing path.
In Gilligan, S. & Simon, D. (eds): Walking in Two Worlds: Self Relations Therapy in Theory, Practice, and Community. Phoenix: Zeig Publications.
Gilligan, S. & Simon, D. (2004). (Eds.) Walking in two worlds: Self relations therapy in theory, research, and practice. Phoenix: Zeig Publications.
Rath, J., Simon, D., Langenbahn, D. Sherr, R.L,. & Diller, L. (2003). Group treatment of problem-solving deficits in outpatients with traumatic brain injury: A randomized outcome study. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 13, 461-488.
Simon, D. (2001). Enhancing emotional control in persons with acquired bain damage (abstract). Rehabilitation Psychology, 46 (2), 330.
Simon, D., Rath, J.F., Sherr, R.L., Langenbahn, D.M., Rabin, L., Litke,
D.R., Fletchter, J., Weinberg, S.L., & Diller, L. (2001). Problem solving in acquired brain damage: Five-year study results (abstract). Rehabilitation Psychology, 46, 346-347.
Rath, J., Simon, D., Langenbahn, D. Sherr, R.L,, Biderman, D. & Diller, L. (2000). Measurement of social problem‑solving deficits in adults with acquired brain damage. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation on measurement, 15 (1), 724-733.
Langenbahn, D., Sherr, R., Simon,D., & Hanig, B. (1999). Group psychotherapy. In: K. Langer, L. Laatsch, & L. Lewis (Eds.): Psychotherapeutic interventions for adults with brain injury or stroke: A clinician’s resource guide. Madison, Connecticut: Psychosocial Press.
Rath, J., Sherr, R.L, Langenbahn, D. M., Simon, D., Biderman, D. & Diller, L. (1999). Social problem- solving self-appraisal in adults with acquired brain damage (abstract). Rehabilitation Psychology, 44(2), 305.
Biderman, D.J., Rath, J.F., Simon, D., Sherr, R.L., Langenbahn, D.M., & Diller, L. (1998). Acquired brain damage: Development of the Problem Solving Questionnaire (abstract). Rehabilitation Psychology, 43 (2), 172.
Diller, L. & Simon, D. (1998). Psychological studies in stroke rehabilitation. In: W. Sife (Ed.), Loss, Grief, and Care: A Journal of Professional Practice, (8) 1/2. Issue title: After stroke: Enhancing quality of life.
Sherr, R.L., Rath, J.F., Langenbahn, D.M., Simon, D., Biderman, D.J., & Diller, L. (1998). Acquired brain damage: Development of the Problem Solving Role Play Test (abstract). Rehabilitation Psychology, 43 (2), 184.
Simon, D. (1996). Crafting consciousness through form: Solution-focused therapy as a spiritual path. In S. D. Miller, M. A. Hubble, and B.L. Duncan, (Eds.), Handbook of solution focused brief therapy. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Simon, D. (1994). Re: Suppose a miracle doesn’t occur; the non-miracle option (letter). Journal of Systemic Therapy, Spring 1994.
Gordon, W.A., Hibbard, M.R., Egelko, S., Riley, E., Simon, D., Diller, L., Ross, E.D., & Lieberman, A. (1991). Issues in the diagnosis of post-stroke depression. In: Rehabilitation Psychology, 36 (2), 71-87
Egelko, S., Simon, D., Riley, E., Gordon, W., Ruckdeschel-Hibbard, M. & Diller, L. (1989). First year after stroke: Tracking cognitive and affective deficits. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 70, 297-302.
Egelko, S., Riley, E., Simon, D., Diller, L. & Ezrachi, O. (1988). Unilateral spatial neglect: Biases in contralateral search and fine spatial attention. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 3, 213-225.
PRESENTATIONS
Simon, D. & Casamo, P. (2007) Finding your personal genius in solution focused therapy. Annual Meeting of the SFBTA (Solution Focused Brief Therapy Association). Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Thomas, F., Simon, D., Mitchell, M. & Bidwell, D. (2006) Clarifying the questions: Spirituality and solution focused practice. Annual Meeting of the SFBTA (Solution Focused Brief Therapy Association). Denver, CO
Simon, D. & Keller, K. (2006). I have seen the Hellmouth, and it is us; or, What would Buffy do in a real disaster? Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses. Barnsville, GA
Simon, D. & Sisson, P. (2006). From grace, dark and light: The fall into humanity in the Buffyverse. Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses. Barnsville, GA
Simon, D. (2002). Problem-solving group treatment for Individuals with traumatic brain injury. Invited address, 21st Annual Symposium of the Brain Injury Association of America, July 24-27. Minneapolis, MN.
Simon, D. (2001, August). Enhancing emotional control in persons with acquired brain damage. Workshop presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, San Francisco.
Simon, D., Rath, J.F., Sherr, R.L., Langenbahn, D.M., Rabin, L., Litke, D.R., Fletchter, J., Weinberg, S.L., & Diller, L. (2001, August). Problem solving in acquired brain damage: Five-year study results. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association Meeting, San Francisco.
Rath, J.F., Hennessy, J.J., Keitel, M.A., Sherr, R.L., Langenbahn, D.M., Simon, D., & Diller, L. (2000, August). Social problem solving and community integration in adults with traumatic brain injury. In B. Caplan (Chair), New directions in research: Innovations in acquired brain injury assessment and outcome. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington, D.C.
Langenbahn, D.M., Rath, J.F., Sherr, R.L., Simon, D., & Diller, L. (1999, December). An interpersonal problem-solving treatment model for individuals with acquired brain damage. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Boston.
Rath, J.F., Sherr, R.L., Langenbahn, D.M., Simon, D., Biderman, D.J., Maucieri, L.P., & Diller, L. (1999, August). Social problem-solving self-appraisal in adults with acquired brain damage. Paper presented at the 107th annual American Psychological Association Convention, Boston, MA.
Biderman, D., Rath, J., Simon, D., Sherr, R.L., Langenbahn, D., & Diller, L. (August, 1998). Acquired brain damage: development of the Problem Solving Questionnaire. Presented at the 106th annual American Psychological Association Convention, San Francisco, CA.
Novitz, L. & Simon, D. (1998). Healing and the spirit: Tapping spiritual resources to facilitate a more positive experience of life’s final stages. Workshop presentation at Annual Meeting of American Society on Aging, New York, NY.
Sherr, R. L., Langenbahn, D. M., Simon, D., Rath, J., Biderman, D. & Diller, L. (1998). An innovative approach to assessment and treatment of impairment in frontal lobe function. Paper presented at 19th Annual Braintree Neurorehabilitation Conference, Braintree, Massachusetts.
Sherr, R.L., Rath, J., Langenbahn, D., Simon, D., & Biderman, D. (August, 1998) Acquired brain damage: development of the Problem Solving Role Play Test. Presented at the 106th annual American Psychological Association Convention, San Francisco, CA.
Simon, D. (1997). Doing Therapy As a Spiritual Path. Invited Workshop, University of Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI.
Simon, D. (1996). Solution-focused approaches to persons with brain injury. Presented at Therapeutic Conversations 3, a conference on collaborative psychotherapies, Denver, CO.
Simon, D. (1996). Solution-focused therapy as a spiritual path. Presented at Therapeutic Conversations 3, a conference on collaborative psychotherapies, Denver, CO.
Simon, D. & Casamo, P. (1996). Taking the floor: Learning from our successes in solution-focused therapy.Presented at Therapeutic Conversations 3, a conference on collaborative psychotherapies, Denver, CO.
Simon, D., Diller, L, & Kaplan, E. (1994, August). Functional independence and depression in stroke: A causal relationship. Paper presentation accepted for the 102nd Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association at Los Angeles, CA.
Langenbahn, D.M., Sherr, R.L., Simon, D., Rath, J., & Diller, L. (1994, August). Rehabilitation of problem-solving deficits: Group treatment with brain-injured patients. Poster presentation at the 102nd Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association at Los Angeles, CA.
Sherr, R.L., Langenbahn, D.M., Simon, D., Rath, J., & Diller, L. (1994, August). Affective and behavioral regulation: Group treatment with brain-injured patients. Poster presentation at the 102nd Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association at Los Angeles, CA.
Sherr, R. L., Langenbahn, D. M., Simon, D., Rath, J., & Diller, L. (1994, June). Treatment of deficits in self-regulation and problem solving in adults with brain damage. Paper presented at the 18th Annual Postgraduate Course on Rehabilitation of the Brain-injured Adult and Child, Williamsburg, VA.
Simon, D., Kaplan, E., & Diller, L. (1991, August). Solution-focussed intervention with families of cognitively impaired stroke patients. Workshop presentation at the 99th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association at San Francisco, CA.
Kaplan, E., Simon, D., & Diller, L. (1991, August). A model for home-based cognitive remediation of stroke patients. Workshop presentation at the 99th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association at San Francisco, CA.
Simon, D., Riley, E., Egelko, S., Kaplan, E., Newman, B., & Diller,L. (1991, August). A new instrument for assessing awareness of deficits in stroke. Poster presentation at the 99th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association at San Francisco, CA.
McNeill, D., Kaplan, E., Simon, D., Hochman, & Diller, L. (1991, August). The Rey-Ostereith Complex Figure Test with left and right CVA. Poster presentation at the 99th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association at San Francisco, CA.
Simon, D. (1990). Neuropsychological and psychosocial functioning after cerebral aneurysm. Invited address, Annual Conference of New England Neurology Nursing Association and New England Rehabilitation Nursing Association, Braintree, MA.
Simon, D., Bonjean, M., & Schmidt, G. (1990). Working with families with a cognitively impaired member. Workshop presentation at the annual convention of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists at Washington, D.C.
Egelko, S., Simon, D., Riley, E., Russo, M. & Ezrachi, O. (1987). Unilateral spatial neglect: Issues of search, disengagement, and task type. Paper presented at the 95th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association at New York, NY.
Egelko, S., Riley, E., Simon, D., Russo, M. & Ezrachi, O. (1987). Profiles of cognitive and affective recovery: Lateralized brain damage. Paper presented at the 95th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association at New York, NY.
Riley, E., Egelko, S., Simon, D. & Russo, M. (1987). Reliability patterns and item endorsement on depression scales: Stroke patients. Paper presented at the 95th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association at New York, NY.
Egelko, S., Ruckdeshel-Hibbard, M., Gordon, W.A., Riley, E., & Simon, D. (1986). Cognitive treatment of RBD patients: Depth vs. Breadth approach. Poster presentation at the 63rd Annual Convention of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine at Baltimore, MD, April, 1986.
Ruckdeschel-Hibbard, M., Egelko, S., Gordon, W.A., Riley, E. & Simon, D. (1986). The efficacy of a combined visual information processing and arousal/attention remediation in right brain damaged stroke patients. Paper presented at the 63rd Annual Convention of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine at Baltimore, MD.
TRAINING WORKSHOPS
Introduction to Solution Focused Therapy
Solution Focused Therapy as a Spiritual Path
Working with Persons with Traumatic Brain Injury
Words Rise Up From Silence: Poetry as a practice for psychotherapists – training attention to language and meaning
Assistant trainer, Introduction to Clinical Hypnosis, Advanced Methods in Clinical Hypnosis, San Marcos, CA (Stephen Gilligan, Ph.D, Trainer)
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Psychological Association
National Register of Providers in Psychology
Dvorah Simon 