Tamie Pushlar LCSW-R

Education

I earned my Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of South Carolina and hold the LCSW-R (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) credential in New York State. In 2012, I obtained a Trauma Counseling Certificate from the University of Buffalo. I am certified in EMDR therapy, am working toward certification in DBR (Deep Brain Reorienting), and am an Approved EMDR consultant.  

Professional Experience

I worked in the social work field for nearly thirty years after my Master's. I started my career working at MHA of Westchester County as a clinical care coordinator in an urban setting, working with adolescents with severe mental health and behavioral issues who are at risk for hospitalization. In 2003, I moved to the Ithaca area, where I began a job at Cornell University with a program called AgrAbility. At Cornell, I traveled throughout rural NY State, providing supportive counseling and connecting farming families with resources. After the AgrAbility grant ended, I was employed at the William George Agency working as a social worker counseling adolescent boys with mental illness and intellectual disabilities. In addition to individual, group, and family counseling, I assisted with discharge planning with schools and community services.

In 2007, I worked at the Lighthouse Program, providing individual, family, and group counseling to 6th through 12th graders in crisis who needed additional social/emotional and academic support. In 2014, I began working with the Possibilities Program, providing training and consultation for local school district personnel on topics related to trauma, attachment, and compassion fatigue/vicarious trauma.   This helped me understand the importance of working collaboratively with individuals, families, and communities.

I have been practicing independently since 2013 at Community Corners in Ithaca, NY. I work with young adults and adults in individual therapy and provide clinical consultation, supervision, and training.   

Recognition

In 2020, I received the "Special Friend" Award from Racker for my achievements while I worked with Racker and for my collaboration with them as an independent licensed therapist, trainer, and consultant/supervisor.  In 2024, I was interviewed and spotlighted as an EMDR therapist and trauma therapist in the documentary Palm Sunday Project, which focuses on overcoming trauma related to a natural disaster.  I am currently working on a non-fiction manuscript on Dissociative Identity Disorder and Complex PTSD; the working title for the manuscript is "The Girls".  

Professional Membership

I am an active member of EMDRIA, and I maintain my continuing education for certification and approved consultant status since 2020.  I have been an active member of ISSTD (International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation) since 2024.  I have been a member of Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) since 2025 and am working toward my DBR certification.  Lastly, I have been a member of the IRTG since 2010 and have been serving on the IRTG Leadership Team as a Website Coordinator since 2025.