Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)

Dr. James Howland is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with over 30 years of clinical practice experience. His research centers around the engagement of boys and men exploring their understanding of social and emotional development and identities, paying particular attention to the influences of family, peers, gender and culture. His expertise also includes the evaluation and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders; sport psychology; and the engagement, assessment and evaluation treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. Dr. Howland earned both his Ed.D. in Counseling Psychology and M.S.W. from Boston University.

Katherine Willard is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with expansive knowledge in supporting children, adolescents and families. Most recently, Katie served as the assistant director of school counseling to a local urban school district, where she was tasked with overseeing all social-emotional learning initiatives for the district, providing supervision to all mental health clinicians, guidance counselors and social workers, and leading all mental wellness initiatives for the district. Most notably, she was able to connect the district with the Early College Program. Katie also has experience as a school adjustment counselor and an outpatient counselor, day treatment facilities and residential programs. She holds an M.S.W. with Specialization in Trauma and Interpersonal Violence from Simmons College and an Ed.S. from Bridgewater State University.

Jonathan P. Kessler is a clinical social worker with over 30 years of experience. He has provided clinical services in a variety of settings, including criminal justice work, in- and outpatient treatment, addictions and trauma. He is the former clinical director of Camp Amesbury, a residential facility for incarcerated adolescent women, and has been the lead social worker for North Shore Educational Consortium’s Transitions Program, working with young adults on the autism spectrum. He has advanced clinical skill training in hypnosis, trauma, motivational interviewing, as well as individual, group and family therapy. He holds an M.S.W. from Simmons College School of Social Work.

Dr. Sara Lafkas began her career working as an elementary school teacher in South Los Angeles. After receiving her M.S.W., she was a social worker in Child Protective Services in Northern California. Some of her additional professional experiences include working as a psychotherapist in private practice and at college counseling and community mental health service centers. Dr. Lafkas has also previously served as a social work faculty member and as an instructor for graduate-level counseling courses. Dr. Lafkas’ dissertation focused on Latter-Saint (Mormon) Women who experienced parental divorce. She has also presented and written on many other topics, including self-compassion practice. Some of her recent research has focused on women’s perceptions of self-compassion. Dr. Lafkas earned her Ed.D. in Human Development and Psychology from Harvard University Graduate School of Education and her M.S.W. from the University of Washington.

Dr. Virginia Durnford is an expert in trauma-informed care and the provision of therapeutic services for children and adults with special needs, particularly within trauma-sensitive school environments. Her research focuses on the treatment of trauma, including PTSD, and how it affects learning, with a special interest in developing strategies to support educational teams working with students struggling with Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders. Dr. Durnford holds an Ed.D. in Teacher Education and School Improvement from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, an M.S.W. in Social Work from Boston University, and an M.A. in Special Education from the University of Connecticut. Her professional experience includes counseling in high-needs schools, providing therapeutic services in both school settings and private practice, and using resiliency training to help youth and young adults manage stress and anxiety.