Patti Criswell, LMSW
Patti is a Clinical Social Worker, speaker and author living near Kalamazoo, MI. She has been working with girls and their families for over 30 years to help girls gain the skills they need to grow into strong and powerful women. Areas of specialty include managing anxiety and depression, relational aggression and relationship skills, self esteem and developing a healthy body image
Patti is a recognized expert in the area of tween girls. Her work includes individual, family and group therapy with girls and their parents as well as working with young women in transition. Additionally, she was on the faculty of Western Michigan University for over a decade where she taught both graduate and undergraduate courses in College of Health and Human Services in the School of Social Work. She continues to teach in an adjunct role. Patti is a writer and has numerous books and articles on relationship skills and personal growth and development in Girls ages 8-14. She served as an author, editor and consultant to the American Girl Company for nearly 20 years. She was a contributing writer and consultant to the American Girl Magazine’s HELP! advice column and the advice column for kids in the Knight-Ridder syndicated newspapers. Patti is a passionate advocate for girls and young women. She has presented both nationally and internationally. Her ideas have been featured on TV, stage, radio, online and print media. Patti is married and has two grown children.