My Qualifications/Articles in Which I'm Quoted

It's important for you to feel secure that your therapist is qualified to work with you.

• I have a Master of Social Work degree with an advanced clinical practitioner certification. I specialize in psychotherapy. I went to graduate school, took various qualifying exams, have had a number of years in practice, and do continuing education over the course of each year in order to maintain this licensure and certification.
• In addition to my private practice, I have most recently done contract work as a therapist for an eating disorder clinic and, through Jewish Family Service, as a therapist for people who are elderly and/or disabled.
• I have a Master of Fine Arts degree in Fiction Writing from the Iowa Writers' Workshop, have taught writing at the college level, published short fiction, and won some awards. If you're motivated to use writing as a therapeutic tool, I'm well-qualified to help you.
• Before I went into private practice, I worked as a therapist for Integrated Mental Health/Austin Regional Clinic Mental Health. There I did individual, couples, family, and group counseling. I was the lead therapist for the Austin Regional Clinic Employee Assistance Program.
• Before the abovementioned position, I worked at St. David's Pavilion, a psychiatric hospital, where I was the lead therapist for both the Eating Disorder Program and the Adult Intensive Outpatient Program. My work there was mainly with groups--focusing on coping skills, on thoughts and behaviors that might be healing, and on problem-solving.
• Now that I've given you my background, please call if you have any questions: (512) 659-8784.

Recent articles to which I contributed:

• In the London Observer Magazine, July 28, 2002, http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4470152,00.html "As Easy As ABC" by Jim Pollard: "Miriam Kuznets offers similar [writing] therapy to groups of clients. 'I suggest a prompt - for example, imagine a working day one year from now or describe a home that was important to you when growing up - and then I let people write for 15 to 20 minutes. They can then share what they've written or not. Writing lets you choose your words, so it works well with people who are less able to verbalise their feelings or who are sceptical about talk therapy..."
• In Austin's The Good Life, June 2001, "Finding a Good Fit," Karen Leach discusses at length my Writing as Therapy work. An excerpt: "'The act of putting the words on paper helps clarify your thinking....It lets you try on various hats to see if they fit,' says Kuznets."
• In an article about journals and diaries in The Austin-American Statesman, "Dear Diary" by Jane Greig, January 13, 2001: "What is open 24/7? A personal journal. Writing in a diary is a form of therapy, notes psychotherapist Miriam Kuznets (659-8784). Not only is this outlet for emotions very accessible (ready when you are), it is inexpensive as well. Emotions (positive or negative) when released on the pages of a diary are often clearer in black and white than in thought or talk form. Problem revelation precedes problem resolution. 'People find comfort and meaning in writing by shedding woes and sharing happiness,' concludes Kuznets who teaches therapeutic writing for groups or individuals (prices beginning at $25 a session.)"
• See some of my thoughts on depression, December 2000: www.lifesmartsolutions.com/health/wheredidselfgo.asp