Arlene Istar Lev, LCSW, CASAC

Arlene Istar Lev, L.C.S.W., C.A.S.A.C., is a social worker, family therapist, educator, and published writer. The focus of her work includes traditional psychotherapeutic modalities, within a feminist and family systems framework, as well as holistic and psychospiritual approaches. She is especially excited to work with parents and alternative families of all kinds.

Arlene is the founder of Choices Counseling and Consulting in Albany, New York and is also on the adjunct faculties of S.U.N.Y. Albany, School of Social Welfare, and Vermont College of the Union Institute and University. Her expertise is in issues related to sexual and gender identity issues and the unique therapeutic needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Arlene has worked for twenty years addressing trauma, addictions, and recovery issues. Arlene has dedicated her professional practice to the sensitive and respectful treatment of people dealing with sexual related concerns. including issues related to sexual orientation, gender expression, sexual fuctioning and performance, and "coming-out."

Arlene is also the Founder of Rainbow Access Initiative, a training program on LGBT issues for therapists and medical professionals, and a former Board Member for the Family Pride Coalition. She is also on the Editorial Board of the Journal of GLBT Family Studies.

Arlene is the author of Transgender Emergence: Therapeutic Guidelines for Working with Gender-Variant People and their Families (Haworth Press, 2004) and The Complete Lesbian and Gay Parenting Guide (Penguin Press, 2004). She has also authored many articles that have been published in professional journals and textbooks. Her creative writing has been published in numerous anthologies. A complete list of her published writings can be found here.

Additionally, Arlene maintains a "Dear Ari" advice column, which is currently published in Pride Parenting and Transgender Tapestry. Her "In a Family Way" column on LGBT parenting issues is nationally syndicated A full list of Arlene's publications is available here. Arlene is available for therapy as well as consultation and supervision.

She can be reached at Choices Counseling and Consulting, 518-438-2222, or info@choicesconsulting.com www.choicesconsulting.com

Personal Biography   Consulting