NYS Coalition of Social Workers, Inc.

Marissa Sappho, LCSW
President
One of the original founders of the Coalition, Marissa has dedicated her career to working with challenging patient populations from a psychodynamic perspective. Formerly the Clinical Director of the Continuing Day Treatment Program at Gateway Counseling Center, Marissa maintains a private practice on the upper west side, with a focus on treating adolescents and young adults. She is a candidate in the adult psychoanalytic program at the Metropolitan Institute for Training in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy and works as a therapist at the Metropolitan Center for Mental Health. Marissa received her MSW from NYU’s Silver School of Social Work in May of 2006. Marissa is the Chair of the Young Professionals Committee for the Children’s Tumor Foundation, a 501C3 organization dedicated to researching treatments for Neurofibromatosis. Marissa is a therapist for The Fostering Connection, a non-profit dedicated to providing individual private therapy pro-bono for foster care children and their families.

Eric Hartman, LMSW
Vice President Agency Based Practice
Eric Hartman entered the social work field in 2001 after leaving a 8-year career in business management.  He earned a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Rutgers University followed by a Masters of Social Work degree from New York University in 2005.  He began psychoanalytic training at the Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Study Center in 2006 and is a current candidate in the four-year certificate program.  Following graduation from NYU, Eric began working as a professional social worker at the Ali Forney Center, the nation's largest organization serving LGBT homeless youth.  He progressed to the Director of Supportive Services in May 2007 and became the Deputy Executive Director of Programs in October 2008, now overseeing all housing and supportive service programs for the entire organization.  In addition he began a private practice in 2006, where he works with adult patients from a Relational Psychoanalytic approach, focusing on issues including anxiety, depression, sexuality, and developmental trauma.  He is a SIFI certified field instructor and has a strong relationship with NYU's Social of Social Work, where he is committed to providing high quality field learning experiences for students in addition to providing classroom presentations on issues relating to LGBT youth.

Edward Watts
Treasurer
Ed started his career with Dow Jones working for the Wall Street Journal in 1961. In 1968 he changed career direction and became employed by Goldman Sachs & CO. in their Margins Department. Ed remained at Goldman Sachs & Co for the next 33 years where he obtained the position of Managing Director and Chief of Staff within the Operations division. During his time at Goldman Sachs & Co. he also held a number of industry positions including Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Government Securities Clearing Corp and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Mortgage Backed Securities Clearing Corp. In addition he served on the Board of Depository Trust Clearing Corp (DTCC) and National Securities Clearing Corp (NSCC). As an active member of the Bond Market Association he chaired the Government Operations Committee as well as the Mortgage Backed Securities Operations Committee. In 1994 he was awarded the PSA’s Chairman’s award as the individual from that organization who made the greatest contribution to the financial industry that year. Ed is currently with LCH Clearnet as their Senior Country Advisor for the United States and head of their New York Office.

Shelley Orren-King, LCSW-R
Institute Liaison and Director of Voluntary Agency Outreach
Shelley is the Executive Director of The Gestalt Center for Psychotherapy and Training and is a senior faculty member in their postgraduate training program. While in private practice for 25 years working individuals, couples and groups, she has noted expertise working with women survivors of abuse, neglect and trauma and is the founder of W. I. S. H. (Women in Search of Healing). Her clinical passion extends to supporting mental health practitioners in practice, building and wellness programs within private supervision, workshops, and in community-based agencies, hospitals and schools. She also has advanced training in EMDR and Internal Family Systems (IFS) work.