Animal-Assisted Therapy - Live Online Interactive (3 CE)

System Requirements:

Internet: broadband wired or wireless (3G or 4G/LTE)

Speakers and a microphone: built-in, USB plug-in, or wireless Bluetooth

Zoom-Supported Browsers

• Windows: Internet Explorer 11+, Edge 12+, Firefox 27+, Chrome 30+
• macOS: Safari 7+, Firefox 27+, Chrome 30+
• Linux: Firefox 27+. Chrome 30+

Instructor Bios:

Gerry Grossman, MA, LMFT, Licensed Hypnotherapist: Gerry Grossman has successfully trained thousands of exam candidates for their BBS licensing exams since 1985. His teaching style is clear, incisive, humorous and empathic. As a trained hypnotherapist, he has assisted many people with test anxiety and other clinical issues. In 2016, Gerry received the Educator of the year award from AAMFT-CA. In private practice, Gerry specializes in working with young children and their families.

Natalie Liberman, MSW, LCSW, MA Clinical Psychology, LMFT: Natalie Liberman is a multi-lingual Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, as well as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles and her first Master's degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University. Natalie also holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Dubna. Natalie began teaching for Gerry Grossman Seminars in 2011, where she leads workshops helping candidates prepare for the LCSW and LMFT licensing exams, and a variety of Continuing Education courses. Natalie is recognized for her clear, engaging, effective and enthusiastic teaching style. She brings a wealth of clinical experience, knowledge, humor, and curiosity to all of her classes. In addition to teaching for Gerry Grossman Seminars, Natalie is an Adjunct Faculty Member at Pepperdine University in the Graduate School of Education and Psychology (West LA campus), as well as Pepperdine’s online Master's Degree programs. In her private practice, Natalie works with clients dealing with substance abuse, trauma, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, career and life transitions, sexual problems, social anxiety disorders, communication issues, self-esteem and general quality of life issues. Natalie has extensive training in contemporary psychodynamic theory, and also uses Humanistic –Existential, Cognitive-Behavioral treatment, and EMDR therapy depending on the unique needs of each client.

Andrew Teton, MA, LMFT: Andrew received his Masters in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University in Santa Barbara. He has also participated in Hakomi Body Inclusive Therapy training, which integrates mindfulness and psychotherapy. He studied with Gerry Grossman Seminars for his licensing exams and, after passing both on the first attempt, Andrew began teaching for Gerry Grossman Seminars. In 2017, Andrew received the Excellence in Teaching Award from Antioch University, Santa Barbara. He is also noted for his sense of humor and has served as the "comedy break" entertainer at several local CAMFT functions.

Annie Ghio, LMFT: Annie is a licensed psychotherapist in Los Angeles and the Executive Director of Harbor Area Counseling Services, Inc. a non-profit counseling agency in San Pedro, CA. She completed her Master’s degree at California State University at Northridge in 2013, and became licensed in 2015 after passing both licensing exams on her first attempt. Annie works with candidates to better understand content, develop test taking skills and manage test taking anxiety. She also sees a range of clients at her private practice in San Pedro, CA.

Dan Smith, Ed.D., LMFT: Dan is a licensed marriage and family therapist whose practice has been within a busy psychiatry office for over 15 years. His primary clinical interests include treatment of adolescent and adult populations as well as family therapy; most of his clinical practice has been within managed care and EAP environments. He is a professor of counseling at California State University, Fresno where he specializes in law and ethics, child abuse assessment and treatment, therapy techniques, and supervision of therapists in field settings. Dan has developed various supervision technologies that are in widespread use within counselor training programs across the country.

Dario Ghio, MA, Ph.D., LMFT: Dario is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who earned his master’s degree at California State University Dominquez Hills and his Ph.D in Clinical Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute. Dario has extensive experience in working with substance and addiction issues. He is a Certified Domestic Violence Counselor as well as a Master Addictions Counselor. He also has eight years of experience teaching Introduction to Alcoholism as an Associate Professor at California State University in Dominquez Hills.

Pam Sirota, PsyD, LMFT: Dr. Pam Sirota is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Doctor of Clinical Psychology. She earned her Masters and Doctorate degrees from Ryokan College. Dr. Sirota's previous experience as a special education teacher and pre-school director makes her an ideal instructor. She has been teaching for Gerry Grossman Seminars since becoming licensed in 2005. Dr. Sirota also has a private practice in West Los Angeles and Encino specializing in anger management, anxiety, couples, social skills groups, family issues, children and adolescents, grief support, and parenting.  

Samantha Deming, MA, LMFT: Samantha has been part of the instructional staff at Gerry Grossman Seminars since January 2000. During Samantha's time with Gerry Grossman Seminars, she has taught numerous licensing exam preparation courses for the LMFT and LCSW exams, as well as many Continuing Education courses for Mental Health Providers, including Clinical Supervision, Suicide Prevention, Law and Ethics, Helping Couple's Heal from Affairs, Forgiveness, Children and Grief, Compulsive Overeating and many others. Samantha has an engaging and organized teaching style and brings a lot of her natural humor into the classroom. She loves teaching and takes pride in making your classroom time educational and enjoyable too! In addition to teaching for Gerry Grossman Seminars, Samantha is an adjunct faculty member at Pepperdine University's Graduate School of Education and Psychology. She also maintains a full-time private practice based in Encino, CA. Her specialities include Trauma, E.M.D.R., Brainspotting, Anxiety, Depression, Couples, Survivors After Suicide, Grief and Loss, and Twins.