ABOUT ME
Chrisula Tasiopoulos
MSW, LCSW
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New Jersey, Michigan, Virginia, and Colorado with over 20 years of experience working with survivors of abuse and trauma, with a particular focus on sexual violence, intimate partner violence, child abuse and neglect, complex developmental and attachment trauma, and dissociation. My work is grounded in a trauma-informed, anti-oppression and intersectional lens, and a deep belief in the power of healing, advocacy, and social change.
EXPERIENCE
I have extensive experience in working for non-profits, as well as clinical settings. My background includes over 20 years of clinical experience, with a focus on trauma and relational violence, and have worked with individuals, families, groups, and engaged in extensive community based advocacy and activism. In the past, I was a part-time lecturer/professor at Rutgers, The State University of NJ in their School of Social Work teaching the course "Working with Survivors of Abuse and Trauma", and also taught post-graduate workshops through Rutgers' Institute for Families and Rutgers' Research on Ending Violence. I have extensive experience training and supervising, as well as providing consultation, and have provided professional education for the NJ Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), as well as various groups throughout my career.
PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT
ADVOCACY & EDUCATION
I am a member of EMDRIA (EMDR International Association), ISSTD (International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation), and the NJ chapter of NASW. I have also been published as a contributing author and section editor to the book set "Sexual Violence and Abuse: An Encyclopedia of Prevention, Impacts, and Recovery".
My passion for advocacy and social justice is rooted in both my clinical work and my broader professional involvement. I am also committed to lifelong education and training, both as a clinician and former instructor, to help create a more trauma-informed and compassionate field. In this area, I am in the role of Consultant for the NJ Trauma Recovery Network, which aims to provide a local, immediate EMDR response in the aftermath of mass events. I had also been heavily involved in advocacy and activism, mainly through my role as a program member, and member of the Board of Directors at NJCASA (NJ Coalition Against Sexual Assault). During my tenure, I was also honored to serve on the Governor's Advisory Council Against Sexual Violence, and to educate our elected representatives in Washington, DC on policy and funding for sexual violence programs across the state of NJ.
MY APPROACH
Holistic & Somatically Informed
My approach is holistic and somatically informed, drawing from relational theory, Ego State Therapy, EMDR, psychodynamic psychotherapy, Clinical Hypnosis, and Deep Brain Reorienting. I have also completed 100 hours of training through MAPS to provide MDMA Assisted Therapy, and am able to support individuals through their integration process with other psychedelics. And, in the interest of better understanding other somatic forms of healing, I completed yoga teacher training in 2018 locally, then with an additional 20 hours of learning from the Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga with Jenn Turner.
CONSULTATION & LEARNING
I actively engage in professional consultation of my own, as well as participate in professional peer networks, including EMDR, Deep Brain Reorienting, and working with dissociative experiences. I am committed to ongoing education and training to ensure I am providing the most effective and compassionate care possible.
MY PRACTICE IS ROOTED IN
safety, empowerment, relational healing, and cultural humility
My practice is rooted in safety, empowerment, relational healing, and cultural humility. I firmly believe that healing takes place in the context of relationship - in which safety, connection, and respect are paramount. Everyone deserves to be seen, heard, valued, and affirmed.
