Dr. Erica Goldblatt Hyatt

EDUCATION

2011    Doctor of Social Work, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
2006    Master of Social Work, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
2006    Master of Bioethics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
2006    Clinical Ethics Certificate, Union College, Albany, NY
2004    Bachelor of Arts (Sociology), McGill University, Montreal, Canada

PROFESSIONAL ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
2017    Rutgers: The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ
Assistant Teaching Professor
Assistant Director of the Doctorate in Social Work Degree Program

2016    University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Adjunct Assistant Professor, School of Social Policy and Practice (SP2)
Doctoral Program Dissertation Chair

2013    Bryn Athyn College of the New Church, Bryn Athyn, PA
Faculty, Graduate Theological School

2011    Bryn Athyn College of the New Church, Bryn Athyn, PA

Assistant Professor of Psychology, Tenure Track
Department Chair, Psychology
Core Faculty Member

PUBLICATIONS

Books

Goldblatt Hyatt, E.D. (book chapter in press). Adolescent identity development and loss: Focus on sibling bereavement. In M. Diaz and B. Shepherd (Eds.), Contemporary issues in childhood and adolescence: Narrating ecological perspectives. New York, NY: Columbia University Press.

Goldblatt Hyatt, E.D. (2015). Grieving for the sibling you lost: The teen’s guide to coping with grief and finding meaning after loss. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications. Please see: https://www.newharbinger.com/author/erica-goldblatt-hyatt

 

Journal, Dissertation and White Paper

Goldblatt Hyatt, E.D., & Good, B.D. (2018). Supervisor and intern reflections on a year of research: Why it worked. Narratives of Professional Helping, 23(1), 66-75.

Goldblatt Hyatt, E.D. (2015). From healer to transformed healer: Relearning lessons in grief. Reflections: Narratives of Professional Helping, 20(2), 32-41.

Goldblatt Hyatt, E.D. (2011). Development in crisis: Adolescent sibling bereavement. Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) Publications, Paper 11. Retrievable from http://repository.upenn.edu/edissertations_sp2/11

Collins, K., Connors, K., Donohue, A., Gardner, S., Goldblatt, E., Hayward, A., Kiser, L., Strieder, F. Thompson, E. (2010). Understanding the impact of trauma and urban poverty on family systems: Risks, resilience, and interventions. Baltimore, MD: Family Informed Trauma Treatment Center.

 

Web-Based Publications

 

Goldblatt Hyatt, E.D. (2016). Introduction to Kevin Hines. Kevin Hines Story, October. Retrievable from http://www.kevinhinesstory.com/bio/

Goldblatt Hyatt, E.D. (2016). Dear Mama, it’s ok to take the medicine. The Mighty, October. Retrievable from https://themighty.com/2016/10/why-it-is-ok-to-take-medication-for-postpartum-disorders/

Goldblat Hyatt, E.D. (2015). The first time I told my students about my OCD. The Mighty, October. Retrievable from https://themighty.com/2016/10/telling-my-college-students-that-i-have-obsessive-compulsive-disorder/ 

Goldblatt Hyatt, E.D. (2016). Disarming the trigger of school shootings for bereaved siblings. Huffington Post, April. Retrievable from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/new-harbinger-publications-inc/disarming-the-trigger-of-_b_9705178.html

Goldblatt Hyatt, E.D. (2016). Dear Trump: My abortion was punishment enough. Elephant Journal, April. Retrievable from http://www.elephantjournal.com/2016/04/dear-trump-my-abortion-was-punishment-enough/

Goldblatt Hyatt, E.D. (2015). As a mom with OCD, I fear for my children. Scary Mommy, October. Retrievable from http://www.scarymommy.com/as-a-mom-with-ocd-i-fear-for-my-children/

Goldblatt Hyatt, E.D. (2015). Coming out of the grief closet. Modern Loss, October. Retrievable from http://modernloss.com/coming-out-of-the-grief-closet/

Goldblatt Hyatt, E.D. (2015). A tale of two teens and their grief: What every caregiver needs to know. Huffington Post, September. Retrievable from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/new-harbinger-publications-inc/a-tale-of-two-teens-and-t_b_8118098.html

Goldblatt Hyatt, E.D. (2015). Birthdays will never be the same again. MomBabble, August. Retrievable from http://mombabble.com/2015/08/birthdays-never-the-same/

Goldblatt Hyatt, E.D. (2015). 6 things they don’t tell you about baby #2. Elephant Journal, April. Retrievable from http://www.elephantjournal.com/2015/04/as-6-things-they-dont-tell-you-about-baby-2/

Hyatt, E.G. (2012). If I came with a disclaimer. The Grief Toolbox, November. Retrievable from http://thegrieftoolbox.com/article/if-i-came-disclaimer

Hyatt, E.G. (2012). From expert to REAL expert: Relearning lessons in grief. The Grief Toolbox, October. Retrievable from https://thegrieftoolbox.com/article/expert-real-expert-relearning-lessons-grief.

Hyatt, E.G. (2012). The death of the fear of death. New Church Perspective, January. Retrievable from http://www.newchurchperspective.com/.

 

CONFERENCE ACTIVITY/PARTICIPATION

2015    Grief 2.0: Spiritually-transformative experiences. The 6^th Annual Afterlife Conference, Virginia Beach, VA

2015    Children’s concepts of the afterlife. The 6^th Annual Afterlife Awareness Conference, Virginia Beach, VA

2008    Grief, loss, and trauma in early childhood:  What mental health providers need to know, Maryland Association of Resources for Family and Youth, 28^th Annual Conference, Ocean City, MD (with Jessica Lertora, LCSW-C)

 

INVITED TALKS

2016    Introduction to Kevin Hines. New Church Live, Bryn Athyn, PA

2016    Finding hope in the face of things we don’t talk about (with Dr. Daniel Gottlieb). Huntingdon Valley, PA

2016    Making it work when you both work (with William Hyatt). Caring for Marriage Conference, Bryn Athyn, PA

2016    Making meaning of grief: Understanding and enhancing our experience. Center for Contemporary Mysticism, Philadelphia, PA

2015    Anxiety, depression, and coping: What you need to know. St. Basil’s Academy Wellness Fair Presentation. Jenkintown, PA

2015    Quality, care, and compassion: Beyond the data and measures. Panel discussion for Pennsylvania Healthcare Association Convention. Valley Forge, PA

2015    The unintelligible afterlife: A panel discussion. Live panel and telecast to support Research into the Communications of the Dying, Bryn Athyn, PA

2014    Spiritually-transformative experiences: an introduction. New Church Live. Bryn Athyn, PA

2013    The loss of a child: Implications for married couples. Bryn Athyn Caring for Marriage Conference, Bryn Athyn, PA

2012    Understanding dementia. Bryn Athyn Cathedral, Bryn Athyn, PA

2012    Introduction to Sgt Matthew Pennington and PTSD: New Church Live. Bryn Athyn, PA

2012    The THRIVE! model. Tools to THRIVE conference, Bryn Athyn, PA

2012    Bereavement support for widows and widowers. Bryn Athyn Widow and Widowers Support Group, Bryn Athyn, PA

2012    Understanding dementia. Cairnwood Village Retirement Home, Bryn Athyn, PA

2011    Death in the family: An introduction. Arcadia University, Guest Lecture, Philadelphia, PA.

2010    Trauma 101 for direct Care juvenile justice providers, Thomas J. Waxter Center, Baltimore, MD (with Stacey Brown, LCPC, Kay Connors, LCSW-C, & Laurel Kiser, PhD, MBA).

2010    Military culture: The impact of deployments. Active Duty Early Child Education Program, Fort Meade, MD.

2009    Introduction to bioethics for mental health clinicians. University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD.

2008    Interventions with returning veterans and their families, Maryland  Psychological Association Post Doctoral  Institute on Treating Trauma Survivors, Columbia, MD

 

CAMPUS OR DEPARTMENTAL TALKS

2016    Introduction to Pennhurst exhibit. Pennhurst Opening Event, October 28, 2016, Bryn Athyn, PA

2016    Reflections on the evolution of a research project: Intern and investigator perspectives. Friday Faculty Research Lunch presentation with undergraduate intern, Brandon Good, Bryn Athyn, PA

2014    Body, mind, and meaning: Medical, psychological, and philosophical reflections on Proof of Heaven. Panel Discussion/Introduction to Dr. Eben Alexander Lecture, Bryn Athyn, PA

2013    Managing your Facebook profile. Bryn Athyn College Career Development Seminar, Bryn Athyn, PA

2012    Bullying: Causes, effects, and how to stop it. Bryn Athyn College Fall Visit Day Mock Lecture. Bryn Athyn College, Bryn Athyn, PA

2012    Grief and loss across the lifespan. Bryn Athyn College Theological School Convocation, Bryn Athyn, PA

2011    Just being there: My experience with the end of life. Bryn Athyn College Convocation, Bryn Athyn, PA

2011    Adolescent sibling bereavement: An introduction. Bryn Athyn College, Guest Lecture. Bryn Athyn, PA.

2011    Bioethics: An introduction. Bryn Athyn College, Guest Lecture, Bryn Athyn, PA

 

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

2011-present   Undergraduate
Research Methods in Psychology (Capstone)
Senior Essay Research Seminar (Capstone)
Introduction to Psychology
Personality Theory
Counseling and Clinical Psychology
Social Psychology
Psychology and Spirituality
Cognitive Psychology
Seminar in Death and Dying
Introduction to Experiments in Psychology
Internship Field Placement

2011-present   Graduate
Bioethics and Clinical Social Work
Existential Therapy and Thanatophobia
Human Spirituality
From Practice to Scholarly Thinking
Service Learning
Service Learning Internship
Advanced Seminar in Death and Dying 

 

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

2015-present   Formal Direct Hospice Caregiver Experiences with Underserved Minority Populations at End of Life. Collaboration with Dr. Alexandra Hanlon, Research Professor, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania

2014-15           Research into the Communications of the Dying. Collaboration with Lisa Smartt and Dr. Raymond A. Moody. Original protocol goal of recording, transcribing, and analyzing the utterances of the dying in private home environments to explore linguistic and psychological themes at the end of life. IRB approval February 2015.

2012- present  Perinatal End of Life and Decision-Making; Pregnancy Termination. Collaboration with Dr. Julie Bindeman of Integrative Therapy of Greater Washington, Associate Professor at George Washington University. Former area of clinical practice expertise as well as bioethics research interest with regard to termination of pregnancies for medical reasons. Exploration of impact of termination for medical reasons on parental decision-making for living children.

2011  Near-Death Experiences, Spiritual Experiences, and Bedside Visitations within  the New Church Community: A Pilot Study. Collection of individual interviews     with Bryn Athyn/New Church community members

Interests: Adolescent sibling bereavement; end of life decision-making; serious mental illness; pediatric oncology; pediatric end of life; crisis intervention; mediation; identity development following bereavement; pregnancy loss and termination; existential, narrative, and cognitive-behavioral interventions; social work with at-risk populations; parenting

SERVICE TO PROFESSION

2017    Special Editor for Aging, Reflections: Narratives of Professional Helping

2017    Peer Reviewer, Death Studies

2016    Interviewee, Oral Histories of Leading Figures in Thanatology (D. Balk, Ph.D, PI)

2014    Peer Reviewer, Reflections: Narratives of Professional Helping                

2010    Peer Reviewer, Journal of Child and Family Social Work

2009    Editor, The Clinician Doctoral Magazine, University of Pennsylvania

 

DEPARTMENTAL/UNIVERSITY SERVICE

2015    Chair, Human Subjects Research Review Committee

Primary role is to review submissions for human subjects research at Bryn Athyn College, serve as liaison with Holy Redeemer Health System Institutional Review Board, and educate professors about appropriate research activities in the classroom. Completed CITI human subjects research training in the area of social-behavioral-educational research. Pioneered relationship with Holy Redeemer Health System review board to serve as IRB for Bryn Athyn College.  See http://www.brynathyn.edu/academics/research/hsrr-c/

2013    Department Chair, Psychology

Spearheaded Bryn Athyn College’s most successful major program (and subsequently developed minor in psychology program) that adheres to APA recommendations for undergraduate psychology programs and benchmarks against institutions of comparable size. Students receive education in clinical and applied psychology and are required to complete an internship prior to graduating.

Responsible for hiring and supervising faculty as well as continuing evaluation process; developing departmental assessment and metrics reports; learning goals and outcomes; course evaluations; recruitment and admissions responsibilities; creating new courses; managing enrollment and course sections; maintaining compliance with accreditation policies.

Created articulation agreement with Rosemont College to guarantee qualifying students acceptance into graduate school. Currently working with Jefferson University to create a similar agreement.

2013    Supervisor of Service Learning Placements, Theological School
2011    Curriculum and Academic Planning Committee
2011    Academic Advisor
2012    Assistant Department Chair, Psychology
2012    CORE Curriculum Committee
2012    Director of Information Literacy
2012    Interdisciplinary Major Committee
2012    Publication Committee

EXTRACURRICULAR UNIVERSITY SERVICE

2011    Director of Psychology Club
2011    Resource and Advisor for Senior Essays (High School and College)  

MEDIA RECOGNITION AND ADVOCACY

Please see www.facebook.com/doctorEricaGHyatt for social media updates.

Governor Wolf vetoes anti-choice bill that severely limits women’s health care options. December 18, 2017. Retrievable from https://www.governor.pa.gov/governor-wolf-vetoes-anti-choice-bill-severely-limits-womens-health-care-options/

Governor Wolf supports opposition to anti-abortion bill in Conshohocken. December 11, 2017. Retrievable from http://www.timesherald.com/article/JR/20171211NEWS/171219961

Wolf vows to veto PA measure restricting abortion rights. December 11, 2017. Retrievable from https://whyy.org/articles/wolf-vows-veto-pa-measure-restricting-abortion-rights/

Press Conference with Mayor Jim Kenney and Governor Tom Wolf on SB3. February 15, 2017. Retrievable from https://www.governor.pa.gov/governor-wolf-joins-health-professionals-advocates-to-denounce-senate-bill-3/

Press Conference with Representative Madeleine Dean and Governor Tom Wolf on SB3. February 16, 2017. Retrievable from https://www.governor.pa.gov/governor-and-first-lady-wolf-join-health-professionals-advocates-legislators-to-denounce-senate-bill-3/

Traveling exhibit on Pennhurst at Bryn Athyn College through Monday. The Intelligencer, November 4, 2016. Retrievable from http://www.theintell.com/news/local/traveling-exhibit-on-pennhurst-at-bryn-athyn-college-through-monday/article_a39ee90e-97c3-11e6-a3ff-77a9ad4db1d7.html

How spirits are connected to your health. Swedenborg and Life telecast, October 31, 2016. Retrievable from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N-ofY8eLvw

Three kinds of evil spirits. Swedenborg and Life telecast, August 1, 2016. Retrievable from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o21lGQMyllw

Stop HB 1948. Press conference with Planned Parenthood, April 11, 2016. Retrievable from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-KrJxhkHto

The gruesome language anti-abortion activists are using to win support. Featured in The Washington Post, April 5, 2015. Retrievable from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/04/05/the-campaign-to-end-fetal-dismemberment-is-spreading/?utm_term=.2d968c37b306

Sensing your spiritual body. Swedenborg and Life telecast, February 15, 2016. Retrievable from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw49L60yDZs

Children in heaven. Swedenborg and Life telecast, January 25, 2016. Retrievable from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVJDMaXaafk

Making meaning of grief: Understanding and enhancing our experience. Recorded video of presentation at the Center for Contemporary Mysticism, January 10, 2016. Retrievable from https://contemporarymysticism.org/media/video-Hyatt-160110.asp

The language of transition: An exploration of final words. Cover story for Bryn Athyn Alumni Magazine, Winter 2015. See: http://www.joomag.com/magazine/bryn-athyn-college-alumni-magazine-winter-2015/0828422001450812010

Study aims to decode final words of the dying. Interview with Philadelphia Inquirer, September 27, 2015. Health Section. See: http://www.philly.com/philly/health/20150927_Study_aims_to_decode_final_words_of_the_dying.html

Deathbed utterances and what they reveal. Interview with Bucks County Courier Times, September 24, 2015. See: http://m.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/columnists/jd-mullane/deathbed-utterances-and-what-they-reveal/article_31849f30-6209-11e5-a766-f3a9d4101ec4.html?mode=jqm

The unintelligible afterlife. Panel presentation at Bryn Athyn College, September 19, 2015. See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jU4AKwhwxgI

Psychology professor encourages others to keep striving to learn. Interview with CBS Philadelphia,. September 14, 2016. See: http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2015/09/14/psychology-professor-encourages-others-to-keep-striving-to-learn/

Modern spiritually-transformative experiences. Swedenborg and Life telecast, September 14, 2015. See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zt-FKR23zg

The unintelligible afterlife. Interview with BuxMont Live! September 5, 2015. Retrievable from http://wnpv1440.com/talk-shows/buxmont-live-archives

Should digital records include mental health? Interview with NPR Philadelphia affiliate WHYY. July 9, 2015. Retrievable from http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/the-pulse/83841-should-digital-health-records-include-mental-health

What the words of the dying mean. Interview with Dr. Raymond Moody. Swedenborg and Life telecast, March 2015. See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwUKMHyGar8

 

NON-ACADEMIC EMPLOYMENT/CLINICAL WORK

2013    Pretty Padded Room, Online Private Practice                                             Psychotherapist

Provided psychotherapy to individuals and couples via online forum. Specific focus on cognitive-behavioral therapy/narrative therapy, existential psychotherapy, pregnancy stress, loss, and termination for medical reasons, death anxiety, bereavement, and terminal illness, mindfulness techniques, and major mental illness

 

2010    Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC
Director of Admissions, Department of Psychiatry
Intensive Outpatient Therapist, Department of Psychiatry

As Director of Admissions:
Provided clinical and administrative supervision for 12 social workers and psychologists assigned with the task of conducting intake assessments on psychiatric patients in the emergency department and referred by community agencies.

Worked as the head of interdisciplinary meetings regarding patient presentation, risk factors, and disposition.

Controlled staffing, scheduling, and served as main point of contact for hospital departments requesting psychiatry consultation.

Led suicide risk assessments conducted on medical floors for all inpatients.

Created new clinical assessment forms for hospital use during intakes, developed and implemented multidisciplinary morning meetings with psychiatrists, nursing staff, discharge planners, and social work.

Member of institutional bioethics committee, responding to calls for ethics mediation throughout the hospital.

 

As Intensive Outpatient Therapist:

Led three daily support groups for patient suffering from acute mental illness. Support group topics included behavior and symptom management, psychoeducation, and process. Topics are exclusively conceived by IOP therapist.

Supervised Ph.D intern for the purpose of enhancing academic and clinical experience with individuals suffering from mental illness.

Provided individual psychotherapy to patients suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and other mental illnesses.

 

2008    University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD

Clinician, Family Informed Trauma Treatment Center

As military clinician:
Provided manualized mental health interventions and education to returning veteran population and their families in Veterans Administration Maryland Healthcare System.

In this environment, collaborated with multi-disciplinary treatment team, served as clinical consultant on numerous individual cases that required input from a well-trained clinician with family therapy knowledge and skills. As embedded FITT clinician, presented workshops, skill-building, professional development, joined therapy meetings, and carried a small caseload at three VA Maryland clinical sites.

Created simple family-informed assessment tools for clinicians in mental health assessments.

Pursued grant responsibilities including submissions for Institutional Review Board, planning and implementing meetings with stakeholders and steering committee members.

Trained in Abuse-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotionally-Focused Couples Therapy, Families OverComing  Under Stress (Project FOCUS), and Strengthening Families’ Coping Resources interventions.

As member of Center for Infant Study:

Facilitated multi-family group therapy with low-income, urban families affected by trauma.

Administrated therapy to individual children and families both on campus and offsite at domestic abuse shelter, House of Ruth.

 

2007    Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC

Pediatric Oncology Social Worker, Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders
Worked with children and families affected by the diagnosis of childhood cancer.

Provided child therapy for patients and siblings, and adult counseling services with regard to life threatening illnesses, in addition to resource allocation and connection within the community.

Member of Interdisciplinary Ethics Forum in addition to Team Leader of hospital on-call ethics consultation service.

Presented at orientation for new nurses and on bioethical issues for social work interns. Provided guidance to social work interns and direction on in and outpatient cases.

Certified Reiki Practitioner on Palliative Care Consult Service.

Organized and implemented community activities such as “Queen for a Day” and “Heroes” events.

Lay framework for Scrap Booking group for children with cancer and their families to contribute to; suggested creation of a “teen book” where patients could add their own pieces to facilitate expression through artistic and community context.

2006    Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD
Clinical Oncology Social Worker, The Sydney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center

Worked with patients and families affected by the diagnosis of cancer, throughout all stages and manifestations of the disease.

As primary coverage social worker, flexible to varying schedules and substitute for all inpatient social workers during their absence.

As primary outpatient medical oncology social worker, anticipated and responded to psychosocial issues of patients and families, providing resource information, referral, and counseling.

Worked with interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, and therapists to provide comprehensive continuum of care.

2005    Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Student Intern, Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment
Worked with international families who arrived diagnosed with serious fetal abnormalities.

Counseled and provided emotional support to parents of terminally ill infants, infants born with birth defects, and mothers who receive fetal surgery.

Provided resources to families, referral to outside agencies, making funeral arrangements.

2004    Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Student Intern, Trauma Unit.

Worked with high-risk populations and performed bio psychosocial assessments, individual and family counseling, crisis intervention (dealing with drug and alcohol addictions/survivors of domestic assault), arrangements for next level of care (nursing home placements, inpatient/outpatient physical therapy, psychiatric and drug rehabilitation placements).

 

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT/OUTREACH

Extra Grace Available: Intensive coaching and support for at-risk community members
Loss and Found: Founder and co-facilitator of monthly bereavement support group

TEACHING AREAS

Psychology

Social Work
Thanatology
Spirituality
Bioethics
Mediation 

LANGUAGES AND INTERESTS

French: fluent
Spanish: excellent
Certified Reiki practitioner
Classical vocal performance
Classical piano performance

LICENSURE AND MEMBERSHIPS

2013    American Psychological Association
2012    Afterlife Education Foundation
2011    LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker), Pennsylvania (Paid inactive)
2011    Society for the Teaching of Psychology
2009    LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker), District of Columbia (Paid inactive)
2006    National Association of Social Workers