Specialties

• Domestic & interpersonal violence and abuse
• Effects of domestic violence on children
• Vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue
• Attachment issues and PTSD in victims of domestic violence
• Treatment of complex trauma in the clinical setting
• Post-abuse separation, divorce and parenting

Education

• MSW, Research and Clinical Work, FSU
• BA, University of the South, Sewanee, TN
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License and Certifications

• LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Virginia
• LICSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker, District of Columbia
• CDV - Board Certified in Domestic Violence, AAETS
• CTS - Advanced Trauma Specialist credentialed, NASW
• Project RADAR Certified
• Campbell Danger Assessment Certified, Johns Hopkins University
• IVAT training, Institute of Violence and Trauma

Professional Biography

Susan E. Folwell, LCSW, LICSW, CTS, CDV.   Susan Folwell is a consultant and psychotherapist in private practice in Virginia and Washington DC. She is board certified in domestic violence, and is a State-certified trauma specialist. She is a founding member, and Co-Chair of, Fairfax County's Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team. Her areas of specialty include all forms of interpersonal violence and abuse, trauma, complex trauma, high conflict separation, divorce, post-abuse separation and custody, and vicarious trauma. 

With over 30 years of experience, Susan’s career has been devoted to making a difference in the field of abuse and trauma.   She consults, trains and speaks widely on topics relating to interpersonal violence and abuse, stalking, complex trauma, mental health issues, vicarious trauma, and clinical issues surrounding family violence.  

Prior to her full time consulting and private practice work, Ms. Folwell developed, implemented, and managed a regional domestic violence system advocate program that was listed in the “Best of” issue of the Washingtonian in 2009.  She has been a guest on NPR and Howard University morning radio, and regularly consults with attorneys and therapists on issues involving trauma and family violence.

Since 2010 Susan has been a consultant for the US DOJ’s Office for Victims of Crime, and provides clinical and trauma consultation for organizations and professionals throughout the United States and internationally.   She provides clinical supervision for university programs in the DC Metro area, as well as pre-licensed Master’s level psychotherapists.