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Valerie Edwards, M.S.W., LCSW, is a fieldwork consultant for community mental health and teaches SW 241, Foundations of Social Work Practice, SW 275 Diversity in Social Work and SW 175 Dialogue of Diversity. She has over fifteen years experience as a direct service provider and in the governance and operation of community-based non-profits, including oversight of an array of community mental health, substance abuse and HIV programs and management of over 100 FTE staff. Currently she is a Board Chair of Tenderloin AIDS Resource Center and is a Board member Alameda County Mental Health Association. She is principal of Pacific Gateway, which focuses on in restorative resolutions to interpersonal and organizational challenges. Valerie's consulting practice includes coaching, staff training/development, group facilitation and conflict resolution with a particular focus on intercultural dynamics. She received her AB in Psychology and her MSW from UC Berkeley in 1986. She earned her license in clinical social work in 1988. She joined the faculty in 2000. She has extensive experience in community mental health, having worked in acute hospital settings, as well as community care including psycho-dynamic therapy, multi-family and other group work for adults, and community crisis and after care for adults and children. As a field work instructor, she developed and conducted in-service training programs. She has taught graduate courses on Comprehensive Care for Persons with Severe Mental Illness, Psychopathology and Cross-Cultural Proficiency.