Rev. Dr. Michelle Walsh

Experience

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  Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry

  Jan 1991 - Jan 2008

  Youth Minister

  Lay community minister and director of weekend youth enrichment program, Stand High/Stand United, developed as a volunteer from 1991-1995 prior to being hired as a part-time director 1996-2008. Responsible for youth and family outreach (youth ages 6-15), program planning, supervision of adult volunteers and mentors, fundraising, and supervision and training of master of social work interns. Participated in continuing education series and workshops on lay community ministry and anti-oppression education (including through Community Change of Boston’s Walk and Talk program; Crossroads Ministry under the UUA, Levels I-III; and as a founding member of the Mass Bay District Anti-Racism Transformation Team). Led trainings in clinical issues and anti-oppression concerns. Ordained as a Unitarian Universalist community minister on 6/3/07 by the United First Parish Church in Quincy (internship congregation) and the First Unitarian Society in Newton (home congregation) at the First Church in Roxbury and UU Urban Ministry. Assisted in institutionalization of weekend youth ministry and social work functions for the agency upon retirement. Show less

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  Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC)

  Jan 1995 - Jan 2002

  Clinic Director

  Clinic Director 1998 to 2002, responsible for the day-to-day operations of a $1.5M clinic, supervising a staff of 20+ employees and master of social work interns, including a trauma treatment team, school-based team, and intensive family stabilization team, and assisting in regional marketing and strategic planning. Participated in two year management training series for continuing education. Supervisor 1997 to 1998. Sexual abuse assessment and trauma treatment clinician 1995 to 1997. Qualified as an expert witness in juvenile court. Led team trainings. Show less

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  DCS Mental Health Inc.

  Jan 2002 - Dec 2013

  Consultant/Supervisor

  (Formerly Advanced Healthcare Systems)Part-time consultant and supervisor. Also contracted for clinical work through private practice business Sacred Play Explorations (a DBA of TCMJH), specializing in expressive arts and sand play therapy as of June 2008. Formerly full-time Director of Outpatient Services and responsible for the development of mental health clinics, compliance with federal, state, and payor source regulations, supervision of clinical staff, in addition to strategic planning and marketing efforts. Show less

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  Boston University

  Sept 2006 - now

  I currently teach Spirituality and Social Work; Clinical; Racial Justice and the Cultural Oppressions; Ethics; and Introduction to Human Behavior. I was hired as adjunct/part-time faculty in 2009 and became half-time faculty in January 2015. The title of my dissertation was "Prophetic Pastoral Care in the Aftermath of Trauma: Forging a Constructive Practical Theology of Lived Religion from Organized Trauma Response Ministries."

  • Lecturer

    Jan 2009 - now

  • PhD in Practical Theology, concentration Pastoral Theology

    Sept 2006 - Jan 2014
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  United First Parish Church

  Jan 2007 - Jan 2010

  Affiliate Community Minister

  Hired as part-time Affiliate Community Minister June 2007 after serving as their intern part-time for two years. Responsible for adult religious education programming, supported the youth group, led worship, preached sermons several times per year, and assisted in worship on other Sundays. Regularly attended board meetings and provided other supportive assistance to the Senior Minister. Sermons available for review at www.ufpc.org. United First Parish Church also endorses my consulting community ministry on urban issues, Tuckerman Creative Ministries for Justice & Healing. I continue to maintain a light affiliation with UFPC along with my home congregation, The First Unitarian Society in Newton, both of which are unpaid except for certain fee-for-service duties, such as life rituals. Show less

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  Unitarian Universalist Community Minister At Large

  Jan 2008 - now

  Owner, Tuckerman Creative Ministries for Justice & Healing

  Tuckerman Creative Ministries for Justice and Healing (TCMJH) is a community ministry in Boston devoted to the work of healing communities and individuals from the impact of trauma. TCMJH utilizes spiritualities grounded in relational wisdom to facilitate healing. Our community ministry witnesses for transformative justice, especially as it relates to overcoming systemic oppression. Joseph Tuckerman (c. 1826) was the first Unitarian community minister who worked with impoverished immigrant communities and helped his fellow religious liberals understand their role in the perpetuation of privilege. We run workshops and engage in personal coaching for transformative social justice and working through internalized oppressions. My spouse, Rev. Clyde Grubbs, is one consultant under this ministerial business and we are both in final fellowship with the Unitarian Universalist Association. Show less

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  Owner, Sacred Play Explorations http://www.revmichellewalsh.com/SacredPlayExplorations.en.html

  Jun 2008 - now

  Spiritual Coaching and Counseling for Life, Careers, and Activism

  I am a professional spiritual coach for human service providers or clergy in need of a deeper sense of grounding to prevent burnout and/or seeking greater depth in their anti-oppression professional work. Please see my website for further information.