Markham, Ontario, Canada
Myra is a consultant, educator, TEDx Alumna and Adjunct Professor at McGill University. An international expert on working with Holocaust survivors and their families, she is the author of Recovering from Genocidal Trauma: An Information and Practice Guide for Working with Holocaust Survivors (University of Toronto Press, 2014). As a licensed social worker, Myra brings more than 35 years of experience in social work practice and teaching focused on helping survivors of genocidal trauma recover. She conducts custom designed workshops on trauma-informed practices and services for service providers in social service, health care and refugee and immigrant organizations. Myra also consults in program development, conducts case review meetings to help staff deal with complex case management and facilitates mutual aid groups to help professional staff deal with vicarious trauma, guard against burnout and foster vicarious resilience. Continually reinventing herself, she writes articles and blogs for online communication platforms on aging, resilience, coping with adversity and enhancing well-being. Myra's also developed a following on Andrea Donsky's TikTok page (@andreadonsky) - "Conversations with Mom" - that generates thousands of views on a variety of mental health topics. Myra is a member of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) and Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW).
Designed, developed and taught an undergraduate practice oriented sessional course: "Social Work Practice with Older Adults. Guest lectures on topics that include: strength-based practice; trauma and aging; understanding the unique needs of Holocaust survivors; clinical interventions and psycho-educational/social programs for survivors of mass atrocity crimes; bereavement and loss; vicarious trauma; vicarious resilience; and self-care practices for social workers. Supervised undergraduate social work interns in their field placements. Was as a liaison between the university and social service settings.
Writes articles and gives interviews on topics that include resilience and coping with adversity.
Writes articles on topics that include resilience, gerontology and spirituality.