Some of my story...
I love kids and have been professionally involved with youth for more than 20 years. I first realized that I was destined to help others at age 11 or 12, when my friends would bring me their problems with boyfriends, girlfriends, parents, teachers.
But my awareness of issues around race began even earlier. In the second grade, I noticed that the people I knew - kids and adults alike, mostly white - felt differently about people of other races.
Over the past decade I’ve had formal antiracism training, but much of my education around race (and other identity issues) has been informal and more personal, with friends and colleagues, and my own family. For most of my professional life - as a clinical social worker - I’ve been in inner-city schools, primarily with students of color; often with students questioning their sexuality.
I understand what it's like to struggle with who you are and to feel different. Perhaps it’s because we moved a lot or maybe just because my family tended to think and act independent of the status quo. Teens get so many messages from the "outside world" about what and who and how they should be or do or think. Whatever the reason, I didn’t quite fit in.
It was in high school that I first began to embrace being different. Over the years, I've learned to celebrate my uniqueness and to appreciate those who think and live “outside the box”, who see things from a different perspective. I can definitely tell you there IS life after high school and it's GREAT when you learn to accept yourself just as you are!
I believe it’s my calling to help others – especially teens struggling with their who they are becoming – recognize their unique gifts and learn how to look at things differently, in a way that honors their dignity. It's my hope to do this with you and the people you care about.
Respectfully,
Barbara Wahler
But my awareness of issues around race began even earlier. In the second grade, I noticed that the people I knew - kids and adults alike, mostly white - felt differently about people of other races.
Over the past decade I’ve had formal antiracism training, but much of my education around race (and other identity issues) has been informal and more personal, with friends and colleagues, and my own family. For most of my professional life - as a clinical social worker - I’ve been in inner-city schools, primarily with students of color; often with students questioning their sexuality.
I understand what it's like to struggle with who you are and to feel different. Perhaps it’s because we moved a lot or maybe just because my family tended to think and act independent of the status quo. Teens get so many messages from the "outside world" about what and who and how they should be or do or think. Whatever the reason, I didn’t quite fit in.
It was in high school that I first began to embrace being different. Over the years, I've learned to celebrate my uniqueness and to appreciate those who think and live “outside the box”, who see things from a different perspective. I can definitely tell you there IS life after high school and it's GREAT when you learn to accept yourself just as you are!
I believe it’s my calling to help others – especially teens struggling with their who they are becoming – recognize their unique gifts and learn how to look at things differently, in a way that honors their dignity. It's my hope to do this with you and the people you care about.
Respectfully,
Barbara Wahler
Please contact me and let's talk about how I can help!
773-580-0448
bwahler.lcsw@yahoo.com
773-580-0448
bwahler.lcsw@yahoo.com
Credentials
MSW - Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work. Chicago, Illinois
BA, Psychology - Blackburn College, Carlinville, Illinois
Illinois Licensed Clinical Social Worker - license #149-008973
Certified School Social Worker
Certified Active Parenting leader
National Association of Social Workers
MCSELCA Antiracism Team, co-chair
NASW-IL Committee on Diversity and Cultural Competence
BA, Psychology - Blackburn College, Carlinville, Illinois
Illinois Licensed Clinical Social Worker - license #149-008973
Certified School Social Worker
Certified Active Parenting leader
National Association of Social Workers
MCSELCA Antiracism Team, co-chair
NASW-IL Committee on Diversity and Cultural Competence
