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DR. SONJA BENSON'S
CURRICULUM VITAE
EDUCATION
| Ph.D. |
12/96 |
Counseling Psychology, APA approved
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University of Minnesota |
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Dissertation title: Perceived parental marital
satisfaction and conflict: Effect on adult intimate relationships. |
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| B.A |
8/90 |
Psychology (Honors Program) |
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University of Minnesota |
Honors:
Psi Chi - Psychology Honor Society
Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society
Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society
Magna cum laude
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
Individual, couples & family therapy, group counseling.
Wells Fargo Employee Assistance Consulting, Phoenix, AZ 1/04-12/05
Employee Assistance Consultant. Provide assessment and referral for
counseling, assist with obtaining/locating resources, robbery response, consultation with
management and human resources.
Private practice, Scottsdale, AZ 11/03-current
General psychotherapy for individual adults, adolescents and
children, marriage and family therapy. Psychological testing as
appropriate. Use hypnosis and EMDR as appropriate.
Progressive Insurance Health Services . Tempe, AZ
2/99-1/04
Employee assistance program psychologist. Provide
counseling to individual adults, children and adolescents, couples and
families. Use hypnosis and EMDR with appropriate issues. Vocational,
personality, learning disability and ADHD/intelligence testing.
(Instruments: WISC-III, WIAT, CISS, SII, MIQ, MMPI-2, CPI, MBTI) Provide
psychoeducational workshops and consultation to management and human
resources.
Veteran's Administration Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ 5/97-6/00
Medical psychologist. Provided pain management, smoking cessation
education, and therapy for various mental health issues. Utilized hypnosis with a variety of patient
issues. Evaluated patients utilizing personality and cognitive
assessment instruments. (Instruments: MMPI-2, MCMI-II, PAI, WAIS-R,
WMS-R, DRS, WRAT-3, Folstein MMSE).
Family Counseling Agency, Judicial Supervision Program Tucson, AZ
7/96-5/97
Program Director. Created program including training manuals,
protocols, rules and regulations for service. Provided therapeutic
supervision and family therapy for parents and children court ordered to
therapy/supervision. Presenting issues include family reunification,
child abuse, domestic violence, drug dependency, poor parenting skill,
and issues related to parental abduction. Provided supervision of
parent(s) and child(ren) on visits. Testified and made recommendations
to the Pima County Superior Court, Domestic Relations. Supervised two
case managers and 20+ visit supervisors. Responsible for assisting in
grant writing, community outreach, leading staff meetings.
Veteran's Administration Medical Center, Tucson, AZ 9/95-9/96.
Psychology predoctoral intern. Provided individual and family
counseling in the areas of health psychology, geriatrics, hospice,
mental hygiene, and within a primary care team. Provided individual and
group therapy for HIV+ clients within infectious disease clinic.
Provided assessment consultation and evaluation (MMPI/MMPI-2, BDI, TAT,
Rorschach-Exner system, WAIS-R, BAI, IPAT, HDI, Folstein Mini-Mental
Status exam Received approximately 2 hours per week of individual
supervision and 2 hours per week of group supervision. Weekly training
in clinical hypnosis.
Family Counseling Agency, Tucson, AZ. 12/95-3/96.
Psychology predoctoral intern. Provided couple, family and individual
adolescent and child therapy for presenting concerns of relational difficulties,
blended family issues, divorce recovery, communication problems, self-esteem,
family systems issues, and conflict management. Co-lead couples group for
domestic violence resolution for I I week class. Co-lead high-school based group
for conflict resolution. Co-counseling with couples. Received 2 hours of
supervision for each 24 hours on site, plus one group supervision per month
within staff meetings.
Lutheran Social Services. Minneapolis, MN/St. Paul, MN 9/93-8/94.
Psychology extern. Provided individual counseling to adolescents and
adults and family therapy in a community mental health setting. Clinical focus
consistent with a broad based community mental health agency. Provided direct
service in the form of support groups to children grades 2-6 referred by
teachers and through interviews (Inver Grove Heights school district). Topics
presented included self-esteem, grief/loss, and personal safety. Received I hour
per week of individual supervision, and approximately I hour a month of group
supervision. Assessments used: MMPI-2, BDI, Prepare/Enrich, IMC, SII, WISC-R.
Walk-In Counseling Center,
Minneapolis, MN. 12/92-8/93.
Psychology extern. Provided individual counseling on a walk-in basis
for crisis-related issues to adults. Clinical issues consistent with a crisis
oriented center. Received 1-1 ½ hours of group supervision every other week.
Vocational Assessment Clinic, University of Minnesota. 3/92-8/92,
6/93-8/93, 6/948/94.
Student counselor. Provided direct service through vocational
counseling and assessment for adults presenting with issues related to career
exploration/ career change.
Responsible for interpretation of test battery including GATB/MATB, SII, CPI,
MPQ, MIQ, MSQ, case presentations, case notes, and client summary write-ups.
Received individual supervision I hour per week.
University Counseling Services. University of Minnesota.
9/91-6/92.
Practicum student counselor. Provided direct service to undergraduate
and graduate students presenting with issues consistent of a general mental health
student counseling center. Presented vocational workshops. Received
individual supervision I hour per week, and group supervision 2 hours
per week. Received didactic training 2 hours per week. Assessments used: MBTI, SII, MIQ, WAIS-R, CPI, MMPI.
Veterans Administration Medical Center, St. Cloud, MN. 6/91-9/91.
Full time, psychology trainee. Provided individual counseling to
chronically mentally ill inpatient veterans. Clinical focus was consistent with
an inpatient/outpatient mental health clinic. Conducted insight and
affect oriented groups twice weekly with veterans primarily
presenting with diagnoses of depression and PTSD. Co-facilitated a
domestic violence group for court ordered perpetrators using the Duluth model of power and
control. Responsibilities were congruent with those of a staff psychologist including intake
interviews, client staffing, charting, case presentation, and administration and write up of neurological
screening (WAIS-R, WMS, mini-mental status exam). Participated in in-service training.
Received approximately 9 hours of supervision per week in form of
co-therapy, case review/consultation, and observation of therapy.
Supervision
Family Counseling Agency, Judicial Supervision Program-
Tucson, AZ 7/96-5/97. Program Director,
Supervised masters level therapist, two case managers and 20+ visit
supervisors who provided supervision services for parents and children
who have been court ordered to supervised visitation or supervised
exchange. Held at least one hour each week per case manager of case
supervision. Coordinated monthly visit supervisor team meetings
Interviewing lab instructor/supervisor, University of Minnesota.
3/94-6/94. Directly responsible for didactic lab instruction and individual
supervision of 6 prepracticum graduate students. Students responsible for twice
weekly taped role play sessions and 4 counseling sessions with selected
undergraduate students. Responsibilities included interviewing and selecting
appropriate undergraduate student clients, helping students gain basic skills
and learn to evaluate their own counseling sessions, review case notes, and
provide process and content feedback. Weekly meetings with course instructor,
planning lab curriculum, and evaluating students for practicum.
Practicum instructor/supervisor, Counseling & Student
Personnel Psychology program, University of Minnesota.
9/94-12/94.
Had responsibility for 4 Masters level psychology students. Responsibilities
included facilitating group process discussions of ethics, helping trainees
prepare tape transcripts and case presentations. Provided process feedback to
trainees on client sessions and issues. Evaluated projects on ethical dilemmas,
case presentations and tape transcription Provided 2 hours group supervision per
week, received 1 1/4 hours group supervision of supervision per week
Outreach
Employee Assistance Program. Minneapolis, MN. 3/95-6/95.
Provided workshops on conflict management/conflict resolution to work
groups within the University of Minnesota. Responsible for co-planning
curriculum. Facilitated group exercises and skill building. Supervision
2 hours per month.
Lutheran Social Services, Minneapolis, MN. 1/94.
Provided 3 psychoeducational/support group sessions at University
Lutheran Church of Hope. Responsible for co-planning curriculum.
Clinical issue focus was depression.
University Counseling Services, University of Minnesota.
9/91-6/91.
Responsible for planning and conducting 2-session vocational
workshops (2-MBTI, 1-II). Provided history of instruments, administered
and provided group interpretations. Co-facilitated diversity training
workshop for women's athletic department.
RELATED TRAINING
EMDR. (2000-current)
Completed level 1 training Jan 2001; completed level II training Oct. 2002.
Clinical hypnosis. (1995-current)
Completed one year of supervised hypnosis training at Tucson VAMC as
part of predoctoral internship. Intermediate and advanced clinical
training with Erickson Foundation and ASCH. Certification through
American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH).
Divorce Recovery/Children Cope with Divorce, Family Counseling Agency
9/96, 4/97.
Completed training to provide facilitation for Divorce Recovery adult
groups and to teach psychoeducational courses in family re-organization
following divorce. Emphasis of Children Cope with Divorce curriculum is
teaching parents to assist their children through the transition of
divorce and family re-organization.
Sexual Violence Program- University of Minnesota. 8/92-1/93.
Participated in 54 hours of intensive training for sexual
violence including sexual assault, domestic violence, and sexual harassment. Volunteered as victim
advocate on call 40 hours per month.
Academic Adviser/Coordinator. Psychology Department, University
of Minnesota. 9/91-7/95.
Advised undergraduate psychology students on their course planning,
preparation for career or graduate training. Oriented incoming transfer
students and presented graduate school preparation workshop twice yearly
to honors students. Facilitated decision making and advised prospective
graduate students on application process, Evaluated student applications
for scholarship, ruled on student petitions, revised guidelines for
honors thesis requirements, and supervised 2 graduate student advisers.
Responsible for hiring and training new advisers, acting as psychology
liaison for students with individualized and interdepartmental programs
with emphasis in psychology, and liaison for members of Psi Chi
Psychology Honor Society. Evaluated transfer coursework
TEACHING
Instructor.
Milton H. Erickson Institute (Phoenix, AZ)
Teach topic areas of intensive hypnosis workshops at beginning,
intermediate and advanced levels as needed. 2004-2005.
Phoenix Community College. 9/98-12/98.
Introduction to Psychology- Two classes.
University of Minnesota. 9/93-3/95.
Psychology Applied to Living. 9/93-12/93, 1/95-3/95
Introduction to Psychology. 6/94-9/94, 9/94-12/95.
Introductory Laboratory Psychology II. 3/94-6/94.
Introductory Laboratory Psychology I. 1/94-3/94
Teaching Assistant.
University of Minnesota, 9/90-8/93.
Introduction to Statistical Methods. quarter time. 6/93 -8/93.
Introduction to Cognitive Psychology. quarter time. 6/93-8/93
Vocational Psychology. quarter time. 3/91-6/9 1.
Psychology of Aging. quarter time. 1/91- 3/91.
Introduction to Psychology. 4 courses, quarter time. 9/90-1290,
6/92-8/92, 6/93-8/93
RESEARCH
Twin Study of Adult Development. University of Minnesota. 9/91-8/92
Quarter time, one year. Interviewed adult twins, administered WAIS-R and
partial
Weschler Memory Scales, tested blood pressure, glucose levels, and lung
capacity
Adult Relationships Project. University of Minnesota. 9/90-6/93
Reviewed literature, assisted in creation of survey, mailings, data entry,
data analysis, and manuscript preparation.
Veteran's Administration Medical Hospital and University of Minnesota,
Minneapolis,
MN. 6/89-8/90, 1/91-3/91
Reviewed PTSD and Vietnam era patient files, coded for DSM III-R
symptomatology, randomized patient files and assigned to raters, assisted with data entry.
Minnesota Twin/Family Study. University of Minnesota. 6/89-3/90.
Half time. Located and recruited twin families, coordinated large scale
mailings, assisted with data management and data entry, and phone prompting.
Coordinated family interaction sessions, and completed interviewing training
including child and adult ability testing.
Presentations & Workshops
Gafner, G. & Benson, S. (2004). Hypnosis, Unconscious Process & Metaphor
Development. Solicited short course presented at 9th
International Congress on Ericksonian Approaches to Hypnosis and Psychotherapy,
Dec. 2004, Phoenix, AZ.
Gafner, G. & Benson, S. (2003). Regional workshop for ASCH, 1 ½ days
Intermediate classes, 1 ½ days Advanced classes, Dec. 4-7, 2003, Phoenix, AZ.
Gafner, G. & Benson, S. (2002). Hypnotic Techniques for Treating Anxiety.
Luncheon workshop presented through Cottonwood de Tucson continuing education
luncheon program, Sept. 2002, Phoenix, AZ.
Gafner, G. & Benson, S. (2001). Standing on Milton’s Shoulders: Novel
Applications of Metaphor in Hypnosis & Psychotherapy. Solicited short course
presented at 8th International Congress on Ericksonian Approaches to Hypnosis
and Psychotherapy, Dec. 2001, Phoenix, AZ.
Gafner, G. & Benson, S. (2001, 2002). Weaving Hypnosis into Psychotherapy.
Full day workshop presented for Southwest Health Professions Education Center,
July 2001, Prescott, AZ.
Presented for Jewish Family & Children’s Services, Nov. 2002. Tucson, AZ.
Gafner, G. & Benson, S. (1999) Indirect Hypnotherapeutic Approaches to
Treating PTSD in Refugees from Africa and Central America, Solicited
short course presented at 7th International Congress on Ericksonian Approaches
to Hypnosis and Psychotherapy, Dec. 1999, Phoenix, AZ.
Frazier, P., Benson, S., Losoff, A., & Maurer, S. (1993). Desire for
Marriage and Life
Satisfaction of Unmarried Adults. Poster presented at Minnesota
Psychological Association Convention, May 1993, Golden Valley, MN.
Publications
Gafner, G. & Benson, S. (2003). Hypnotic Techniques. New York: Norton.
Gafner, G. & Benson, S. (2001). Indirect Hypnotherapeutic Approaches to
Treating PTSD in Refugees from Africa & Central America. Contemporary
Hypnosis, 18 (3), 135-144.
Gafner, G. & Benson, S. (2000) Handbook of Hypnotic Inductions. New
York:Norton.
Frazier, P., Arikian, N., Benson, S., Losoff, A., & Maurer, S. (1996). Desire
for marriage and life satisfaction of unmarried adults. Journal of Social and
Personal Relationships, 13, 225-240.
PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS
My research interests lie in the area of interpersonal relationships and
divorce. In an applied setting, my main interests lie in working with couples,
families, children and adolescents, as well as in consulting and organizational
assistance. My theoretical orientation is family systems with components of
contextual therapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. I am also interested in
group therapy and outreach in the area of providing workshops. Within teaching,
my main interests lie in introductory psychology, and courses related to
counseling. Counseling course interests include interviewing, history and
theories, ethics, and practicum/supervision.
Associations and Divisions
1) Member of Graduate Student Liaison Committee, Psychology Department,
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN. 1991-1994
2) Member, APA. 1997-current.
3) Member, ASCH 1998-current.
4) Member, AzPA. 1998-2000, 2004-current
5) Member, Scottsdale Psychological Society. 2005.
6) Member, Secretary/Treasurer, Phoenix Society of Clinical Hypnosis.
2005
Awards and Grants
1) University of Minnesota Psychology Department Dissertation Fellowship,
1995.
2) American Psychological Association, Science Directorate Dissertation
Research Fellowship
Award, December, 1995.
3) Stocker Foundation grant of $15,000.00 for Judicial Supervision
Program, 1997
4) AzPA Arizona Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award, large business
category. Co-authored with Tom Ashworth, HR manager, for Progressive
Casualty Insurance, 2003.
Licenses and Certifications
Arizona Psychologist License #3252
ASCH Certification in Clinical Hypnosis, certificate # R9095
References
Available upon request
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