Author photograph courtesy of
Greg Spiess
I am a licensed clinical social worker, a board certified diplomate therapist with a private practice in the East Bay Rhode Island area. I specialize in treating Women, Young Adults and their Families in the areas of depression, eating disorders,loss and trauma, self-care, anxiety, addiction in the family (and foster care and adoption.) I use a strenghts-based model, cognitive behavioral therapy, and EMDR. If you live in the area and want to try to schedule an appointment you can contact me by email, as I check my messages daily.
email: palwrites@aol.com
I have presented programs about adolescents at national and state-wide conferences, conducted training and parent education seminars at public and independent schools. For more information click above "workshop" tag.
For information on speaking opportunities including fees, available dates, or for any other reason email me directly at palwrites@aol.com
SPRING 2010. MARSHALL CAVENDISH
Click down and to the right
A gymnast and her sister face the effects
of a traumatic brain injury.
Early Praise for Spotting for Nellie
Booklist: Top-level gymnastics and the teenage years come across as comparably challenging and perilous in Lowell’s second YA novel…the book offers up a compelling picture of high-school kids in a coastal Rhode Island town. Told in short chapters from different points of view, the story focuses on two sisters, Claire and Nellie, and the fallout from a terrible car accident related to underage drinking. In a nice twist, one of the viewpoints is that of “Nellie’s brain,” who narrates from the comatose state and as Nellie relearns motor skills, communication, and self-control. A clinical social worker, Lowell nicely captures the way teens talk, think, and contend with multiple pressures. Her dialogue can get didactic. . .but the main characters prove very appealing and the story’s moral clarity may actually help young readers make better decisions.
— Abby Nolan
"I thought it was excellent and I could really tell that you had put a lot of time, not to mention, extensive research. I thought it was very interesting too, like how it showed perspective from Nellie's brain. I thought that was really cool. I also liked how you hit upon some heavy topics, like teen drinking and accidents and peer pressure. It was definitely one of the best books I've read this year! I hope that you come out with another book soon!"
--Lilia, a sophomore
In November 2008
I received a
Community Partner Award
from Adoption Rhode Island
in recognition of my support of children waiting for adoption.
I am now a consultant at Adoption Rhode Island
doing clinical supervision, case consultation and
training.
Foster Care Alumni of America
I am proud to be a "professional" member of Foster Care Alumni of America. FCAA connects the community of people who have been in foster care into a large extended family network. By working with others who care about foster youth, FCAA transforms foster care practice and policy. Whether you are an alumnus of foster care, a foster parent or professional, or caring community member, please show your support and make your voice heard by joining FCAA today.
RETURNABLE GIRL BOOK TRAILER (10.0MB)
