Who is Wendy Swenson? What has she done, and what is she doing now?

             
Wendy Swenson earned a Bachelor’s of Arts at the Baptist Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana, majoring in Christian Education; a Masters of Social Work (MSW) in Louisiana at Southern University at New Orleans, majoring in Direct Services; a License as a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW); in addition to a school social worker certification in Virginia. Wendy cares deeply about people of all ages and has a passion to help others with practical, relevant educational materials that can be used easily in a variety of settings.

Wendy has worked with children for over 30 years. She is the mother of 3 grown children, one who was adopted and one who has special needs. Wendy has worked with the YWCA, Battered Women’s Program, as a Community Educator, facilitated groups for women, developed a children’s program, was a court advocate and did volunteer training. Wendy worked at Childhelp, USA as a counselor with children and families, participated in treatment planning, conducted foster parent training sessions, was the day school counselor and did case management. Wendy worked with Family Preservation Services; she provided "in-home" counseling with individuals and families; supported other staff members through peer consultations, participated in consultation and planning with schools; and participated on the Family Assessment and Planning Team (FAPT). Wendy has been with Fauquier County Public Schools since 2004 where she is a school social worker/visiting teacher, serving on Child Study and Eligibility Teams, providing counseling with students, conducting socio-cultural history interviews, assisting teachers as needed, and helping families find resources in the community. In addition, Wendy has taught The 5 Needs in Life curriculum to elementary and high school students, and rising 9^th graders in a Summer Alternative Program. Wendy has also provided staff trainings on "The 5 Needs in Life" program. Wendy participated on the team that piloted a truancy prevention program called I AM HERE : Improving Attendance Monthly Helps Everyone Receive an Education (a collaborative initiative piloted with great success at H. M. Pearson in Catlett, Virginia).Wendy has participated on various committees and task forces and volunteers at the food closet in her community.

Wendy has a commitment to help others in practical, simple, relevant ways. Some of the ways she accomplishes this is by writing workbooks, working with small groups of children and adults, working with people individually, and facilitating workshops for professionals and others interested in learning to understand The 5 Needs in Life.

Wendy’s work is based on a strengths perspective, and each person’s inner ability (although often unknown) to learn to make healthy choices and create the life they want to live. Using cognitive and behavioral therapy throughout the workbooks as a tool to help people challenge their views and thoughts, changes in attitudes and behaviors are often seen over time. Hope and laughter return, direction is clearer, questions stir and simple (although not always easy) answers are found. Using the 5 needs we all share in life as a foundation and as a tool, Wendy has helped others understand better who they are, what they need, and how to best meet their needs appropriately and be able to help others too.

In her free time, Wendy enjoys the company of her 3 grown children, reading, writing, walking, riding in the mountains, going to the beach, going to museums, attending cultural events, and staying in touch with family and friends. Wendy is a member of National Association of Social Workers and North American Council on Adoptable Children.

For more information, feel free to contact Wendy through this site; the5needs@the5needs.com; or P.O. Box 1991, Culpeper, Virginia 22701. She will be happy to give you more details on her credentials, goals, vision, and mission as well as services provided.