Class Notes

César Valdez recently founded the IADC International Institute, the official home for IADC Therapy — an EMDR-derived, evidence-informed, brief therapeutic approach for grief originally developed by psychologist Allan Botkin. Distinct from traditional grief counseling, IADC Therapy helps clients process unresolved grief through a structured clinical method that often leads to a deeply felt sense of connection, resolution, and emotional relief following the death of a loved one. Valdez serves as Executive Director and Lead Trainer of the Institute, which provides clinical training, certification, research support, and professional consultation for mental health clinicians internationally. The Institute supports the continued development, study, and ethical practice of this powerful and highly specialized therapy worldwide.

Over my long career I have been a clinical social worker, school social worker, Special Education Administrator, Assistant Professor at Tompkins Cortland Community College, Co-author of college text with Cornell University Professor, Assistant Professor at Ohio State University, 15years as an English teacher at Evart, Eagle Boys Village, and Big Rapids High school, Varsity Boys Basketball coach, and 20 years as adjunct Professor at Ferris State University, 15 years as a college Track and field official, National Champion Javelin thrower in two separate Associations.

Currently a Hospice Volunteer

After graduation, Michelle moved back to her home state to start her clinical practice. She is currently a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and psychotherapist in the San Francisco Bay Area who brings a rich, social-justice-oriented lens to her private practice and projects. With nearly a decade of experience spanning hospital systems and Silicon Valley tech environments, Michelle specializes in supporting first-generation adults navigating cultural identity, high-achieving professionals battling burnout, and women moving through the complexities of maternal mental health.

Her advocacy extends to impactful media collaborations, including an NPR's Bay Area KQED feature discussing the Fall of Saigon and prioritizing generational trauma and healing. She further explores her passion for social work and its intersections on podcasts like Heard Business School, where she discusses building culturally responsive practices and the importance of authenticity in therapy.

Her therapeutic approach is defined by a balance of warm humanity and clinical direction, using evidence-based tools such as CBT, DBT, and Psychodynamic and Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to build lasting resilience. By blending professional expertise with "tactful transparency" and humor, Michelle creates a space where clients can move away from perfectionism and toward a life of radical self-acceptance and intentionality.

michellevolcsw.com

I've been working with Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars since November 2025! Excitedly putting my passion macro social work into practice through education equity, access and success.

I have fond memories of my great professors, especially John Tropman and Chuck Brown

After nearly a decade working across youth and sport ecosystems, I founded Paleza - a merchandise and fundraising platform built to direct resources into girls' and women's sports. Through every purchase and fundraising campaign, supporters buy merchandise they love while collectively reinvesting in the programs and athletes they show up for.

My experiences and MSW training shape how I think about all of it — empowerment, systems change, community ownership, and meeting people where they are. Celebrating one year in June 2026, we're looking forward to building alongside the growth of leagues and exciting mega events to create more access and opportunity for girls and women across the U.S.!

I am so grateful to the professors and staff of U of M's School of Social Work. I was going through one of the toughest times of my life during my MSW. My advisors and professors helped guide me and support me so I could graduate successfully. I am now working at my dream job as a mental health therapist and addictions counselor. I am in recovery from substance use disorder and am able to use my lived experience to help others who need help. Forever GO BLUE!

Brittney Williams, '16, MSW '17 has been appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to the Michigan Board of Social Work. Williams is the Social Work Division Administrator at the Washtenaw County Public Defender's Office. She is also a social work PhD student at Wayne State University, and a proud legacy member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Her term begins March 19, 2026, and ends December 31, 2029.

Steven has been employed full-time in geriatric social work, part-time as an adjunct faculty member at WSU and has had several poems published in Survive & Thrive: A Journal for Medical Humanities and Narrative as Medicine.

As a Musician/ Social Worker I am involved in transforming the Detroit Community in the direction of Social Justice whilst actively renovating Belle Isle , particularly the historic Remick Bandshell to be used as a free concert venue by the diverse equitable and inclusive Detroit community.