Nancy Berkan, M.Ed. ( Ph.D. deferred ) 

I am a clinician, learning specialist, and visual artist.  My training is in counseling and neuropsychology.  I hold an M.Ed in Counseling Psychology and have completed all coursework and research leading to a Ph.D. in Psychology.  

For nearly twenty-five years I have been addressing the needs of children, adults and families, both in educational and medical contexts.  I have counseled, taught and tutored persons in a range of settings, including private homes, pre-Kindergarten to high schools, and colleges.  Clinical worksites include Braintree Hospital, Comprehensive Rehabilitation Associates, Boston Neurobehavioral Institute, and Arbour Health System.  My expertise further comprises such areas as: devising and administering curricula (in both clinical settings and classrooms), IEP development and implementation, adaptation of environments and materials for specific needs, MCAS and other test-taking prep, neuropsychological and psychoeducational assessment, 'whole-brain learning' techniques, and educational advocacy.

My background includes architecture:  I was a partner in a design office for many years.  I have been involved with projects enabling universal access for persons with disabilities in both the public and private sectors.

My first encounter with sandtray was in my doctoral research.  Here I used the medium to investigate the return of language in brain-injured patients emerging from coma.  I became convinced this is a powerful medium, particularly suited to engendering both psychological and cognitive well-being.  

I also have a strong interest in the use of dreams for self-exploration.  I have worked with both individuals and groups examining their nightly creations.  My approaches to sandtray and dreamwork have many overlaps:  rather than applying a particular theoretical framework, I prefer to let the dreamer, or sandtray builder, assign their own meanings.  In applying such an approach, I find the uniqueness of each person is appreciated, encouraged and expanded.

My curriculum vitae can be read here.

nancy berkan, M.Ed. (Ph.D. deferred)   l    sandtrayworks     l      new york   NY   l    cambridge   MA   l    all rights reserved  © 2011-15

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 Key words:  sandtray sand play therapy kids activities, learning, SPED, learning disabilities, ADHD,  divorce, behavioral issues, psychology, reading, playtime, storytelling, brain injury, tbi, trauma, journaling, Lowenfeld