Elizabeth Bach-Van Valkenburgh graduated from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, with degrees in philosophy, religion and women's studies. After a year in law school, she shifted her focus to social work, earning her degree from the Mandel School with a concentration in adult mental health.
For 25 years, Bach-Van Valkenburgh has supported trauma survivors in Cleveland. She began in the psychiatric emergency room at St. Vincent Charity Hospital before becoming a program manager for the Adult and Child Mobile Crisis teams. She also served as a clinical supervisor for the Children Who Witness Violence Project. Later, she worked as a clinician and then Clinical Director at the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center. Today, she runs a private practice in Solon, specializing in adult trauma, marriage and family therapy, and divorce mediation.
Bach-Van Valkenburgh completed six years of postgraduate training at the Gestalt Institute, focusing on family, couples, small systems and group work. A trained mediator and collaborative divorce expert, she teaches these models statewide. She earned her CNM from the Mandel Center, where she developed her interest in mediation. She is also a continuing education provider for the State of Ohio Social Work, Counselor, and Marriage and Family Board.
Why I Teach
I love the students. I learn as much from them as I teach them. Watching them interpret and integrate the materials and methods keeps me engaged and excited about social work.
Why I Chose This Profession
I chose social work because it provided a multi-disciplinary approach to work with people and effect change. It is a creative process that fosters growth on multiple levels of system.