Shelly Stratton

I have worked in a wide variety of settings as a social worker, family therapist and community psychologist. I hold a master’s degree in social work from the University of Washington and a Doctorate in Depth Psychology: with emphasis in Community Psychology, Liberation Psychology and Ecopsychology from Pacifica Graduate institute. For many years I worked with families and children living in shelters and transitional housing as well as children in foster care. My experience with African immigrant communities emerged out of interests developed while completing my doctoral degree. My dissertation research engaged Rwandan and Congolese refugees in a process of exploring and elaborating on the cultural perspectives and values that contribute to psychosocial resilience and adaptation to their life in New Hampshire. I’ve had the privilege to work with African immigrant communities in and New Hampshire and Portland, supporting the development of culturally specific programing, grant writing and facilitating training and community healing. I have also traveled often to East Africa where I remain closely connected to community healing efforts through my work with the African Great Lakes Initiative (AGLI). For many years I enjoyed working as a child and family therapist in private practice. However, this past year I shifted my focus to enjoying my garden and spending joyous hours with my grandson and family.