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Laura L. Sanders

Teaching Professor and LEO Lecturer II

Laura L. Sanders

With a master's degree in social work from the University of Michigan, Laura Sanders has been an adjunct instructor in U of M's graduate program since 1996. She provides contractual and private therapy, consultation, training, supervision, and expert witness testimony in the areas of sexual abuse and other trauma, attachment and adoption, and issues of gender and sexuality. She finds effective therapy to be eclectic in nature, grounded in a combination of evidence-based approaches and enhanced by creative and relational interventions designed to address the needs of individual clients and families. Advocacy and community activism are fundamental to her role as a clinical social worker and integrated into all of her work. Most recently she is the co-founder of the Washtenaw Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Rights, an all-volunteer organization that responds to needs of families and communities targeted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids, detainments and deportations. Her presentation style is dynamic, including many case examples and experiential activities that invite participation.

Education

Year Degree   School
1988 MSW Social Work University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
1982 BA Women's Studies and Psychology University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Year Description
2021 Immigrant Rights Presentation on the Driver’s License Campaign and the Work of WICIR, sponsored by Latinx Social Work Students, UM-SSW
2021 ENGAGE panel: Immigrants in Michigan, the Un-told Story. U of M School of Social Work
2021 The Life of Social Worker: Introduction to Social Work class: Eastern Michigan University
2019 Working with Transgender and Non-binary Children and Youth: NASW training for Michigan Health Systems social workers.
2019 Animal Assisted Therapy Training: Clinical staff of Methodist Children’s Home residential treatment
2019 Animal Assisted Therapy with a Young Refugee Man, for regional conference of PATH (Professional Association for Therapeutic Horsemanship)
2018 Working with Transgender Youth in the Criminal Justice System, panel presentation for NASW conference
2018 Affirmative Teaching Principles with LGBTQ Students and Issues for UM SSW Faculty
2018 Keynote speech: Rules of Thumb for Social Work Activists, for Eastern School of Social Work Advocacy and Activism Day.
2014 Cuddy, C., Stevanovic, S., Delva, J., Lopez, W., Horner, P., Sanders, L., & Martinez, R. (2014, April). Threat of family separation, stress, trauma, and PTSD symptoms in undocumented youth. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
2014 Horner, P., Delva, J., Martinez, R., Sanders, L., & Cortez, P. (2014, January). The impact of deportation on children and adolescents development. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Society for Social Work Research, San Antonio, TX.
2013 Horner, P., Sanders, L., Martinez, R., & Delva, J. (2013, June). The human side of deportation. Paper presented at Cambio de Colores, Change of Colores: Latinos and Immigrants in Midwestern Communities, 12th Annual Conference, Millennium Center, University of Missouri, St. Louis, MO.
2005 Sanders, L. (2005). Navigating adolescents: Identifying and responding to risky behavior. Presented at the LGBT Parenting Conference.
1995 Sanders, L. (1995). Recovering the wounded self: Understanding the recovery process from child sexual abuse and the use of creative interventions. Presented at Loyola Law School, Chicago, IL.
1995 Sanders, L. (1995). Recovering the wounded self: Understanding the recovery process from child sexual abuse and the use of creative interventions. Presented at the Lutheran Child and Family Services, Bay City, MI.
1995 Sanders, L. (1995). Recovering the wounded self: Understanding the recovery process from child sexual abuse and the use of creative interventions. Presented at the University of Michigan School of Social Work, Ann Arbor, MI.
1994 Sanders, L. (1994). Addressing diversity in therapy. Presented at the University of Michigan School of Social Work, Ann Arbor, MI.
1994 Sanders, L. (1994). Case presentation on adolescent group work with teen victims of sexual abuse. Presented at the University of Michigan School of Social Work, Ann Arbor, MI.
1993 Sanders, L. (1993). Disclosure of sexual abuse: Four phases. Presented at the University of Michigan School of Social Work, Ann Arbor, MI.
1992 Sanders, L. (1992). Case presentation on treatment with a child victim of sexual abuse. Presented at the University of Michigan School of Social Work, Ann Arbor, MI.
1991 Sanders, L. (1991). Working with families of sexual abuse. Presented at Sienna Heights College, Adrian, MI.
1991 Sanders, L. (1991). The changing family. Presented at Adrian College, Adrian, MI.

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