MEETING MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF THE DEAF & HARD OF HEARING

The deaf community is affected by mental illness equal to those from the "hearing culture." Compared with the mainstream population, however, the deaf often face greater challenges when seeking treatment, such as finding competent therapists who use ASL (American Sign Language).  Join Journalist, Suzanne Marcus Fletcher, for her special interview with Deborah Litberg, Deborah is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in mental health and advocacy support for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Communities. Deborah is a parent of a profoundly deaf son, age 27. Deborah served, for eleven years, on the Executive Board for The Greater Los Angeles Agency for the Deaf advocating for the betterment of the Deaf Community. Upon completion of serving on the Board, Deborah went back to Deborah trained at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, for ten years, as well as, served as faculty in the Leadership for Neurological Developmental Delays Program, training interns and fellows effective clinical skills to treat populations with a developmental delay. Deborah is now providing services through her private practice in Sherman Oaks, with a focus on children and families, individuals and couples. Deborah is fluent in signed language and provides IEP advocacy as part of her support for this population.