Local Authors Invited to D.C. to Address Prestigious Conference of Specialists in Group Work

According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), there is a new victim of sexual assault in America every 107 seconds. For licensed professional counselor Denise Lang-Grant, Bridgewater, and licensed clinical social worker Irene Colucci-Lebbad, Basking Ridge, statistics like this are a rallying cry.

And their expertise in the field of helping survivors is being recognized by their peers. Lang-Grant and Colucci-Lebbad will be speaking at the national conference for the Association of Specialists in Group Work in Washington DC, when they meet February 18-20th. This nod of recognition is an honor, say the authors of the new psychology book, “No More Secrets: A Therapist’s Guide to Group Work with Adult Survivors of Sexual Violence” which aims to empower experienced and new counselors, psychologists, and social workers using a step-by-step guide to conducting a psycho-educational group for adult survivors.

“The national conference draws experts from all over the country and we are thrilled that there is a recognition that not only is there nothing in the market like this book, but that psychologists, social workers and therapists are ready to address this growing problem,” says Lang-Grant.

According to the authors, many clinicians are reluctant to tackle the topic of sexual assault and abuse due to a lack of knowledge or personal anxieties regarding the topic. Complete with weekly curriculums, handouts, and evidence-based interventions, Lang-Grant and Colucci-Lebbad structured this ground-breaking and practical program to take survivors from “traumatized” to “thriving.” The interventions have been successful, according to the authors, who have conducted survivor groups for the last eight years utilizing this program.

“Sexual assault is the only felony crime in this country where the victim becomes the first one under attack from the media and general public,” says Lang-Grant. “As a result, victims carry misplaced guilt and shame which can fracture the rest of their lives. And if they do ask for help, many therapists are reluctant to address the sexual violence but would rather concentrate on the resultant depression, eating disorders, addictions, and broken relationships.”

As a social epidemic, Colucci-Lebbad states that “sexual violence is labeled “the” most underreported crime by the United States Department of Justice. It is often the deep secret that is often at the root of depression, substance abuse, and suicide attempts.”

The authors have also been asked to address the annual conference of social workers to be held in Atlantic City in May.

About the Authors

Denise Lang-Grant is a licensed professional counselor specializing in sexual assault and other traumas. She is the author of nine other non-fiction books on family relationships, health, and true crime, including “The Dark Son” about former Basking Ridge resident, Matthew Heikkila who, 25 years ago, killed his parents and then pleaded Adopted Child Syndrome as a defense. The former director of Atlantic Health System’s rape crisis center in Morris County, New Jersey, she is also the state’s point person for strengthening community response to returning veterans who are survivors of military sexual assault, and has created an educational program for colleges who wish to improve their response to sexual assault on campus. She has a private practice with offices in both Somerset and Morris counties.

Irene Colucci-Lebbad is a licensed clinical social worker with extensive background in sexual abuse, domestic violence, and behavioral health. She is the former director of the Somerset County, New Jersey, Sexual Assault Support Services program and is currently one of the principles in a group practice specializing in sexual violence and abuse. She continues to conduct trainings and workshops for community organizations, law enforcement, and other professionals and works with Rutgers State University as a clinical supervisor for social work graduate students.

The authors are available for workshops and trainings.

“No More Secrets”

By Denise Grant, LPC & Irene Lebbad, LCSW

Softcover | 8.25 x 11 in | 128 pages | ISBN 9781504333856

E-Book | 128 pages | ISBN 9781504333863

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Publisher: Balboa Press, a division of Hay House Publishing

http://bookstore.balboapress.com/Products/SKU-000609234/No-More-Secrets.aspx