Dafna Lender, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker and is a Certified Theraplay Therapist and trainer. She is also a certified Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapist®. She holds the position of Training Director for The Theraplay® Institute. Dafna received her bachelor’s degree in Political Science at the University of Illinois and worked as a policy analyst in the Illinois State Senate. She earned a B.S.W. from Tel Aviv University and her M.S.W. from Yeshiva University in New York. Dafna has worked as a foster care case worker for specialized children and a therapist for children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and orphanage neglect. Dafna’s main area of interest is in children with serious psychological problems caused by histories of abuse, neglect, trauma and/or multiple placements. Dafna’s focus is children’s development of a secure attachment with their caregivers while resolving issues in their traumatic history. She has authored several chapters on both Theraplay techniques and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy.
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