Employment History:
Arlington County Mental Health Center, VA (1977-1978); Seat Pleasant Mental Health Center, Capitol Heights, MD (1974-1977); Hillcrest Children's Center, Washington (1972-1974); Buffalo Psychiatric Center, NY (1967-1970); Assistant Director of Outpatient Services, The Prince George's County Health Department, Capitol Heights, MD

Published Works:

Public Speaking Experience:
Ms. Traylor has presented at the African American Women's Conference in San Diego on topics such as self-esteem and a program called 'How To Assess Men in the Beginning of a Relationship.' She presented a paper entitled 'A Psychological Profile of The African American Woman' at the Kaiser-sponsored African-American Health Symposium for physicians and staff.

Why She is an Expert:
In her practice as a psychotherapist, she has worked with diverse populations and ethnicities, from the rich and the poor to the sick and the healthy. She has used a number of different treatment modalities in her practice. "I [was]…a therapist working with children and families for five years," she confirms. "I now work with adults in individual, conjoint, family and group therapy sessions."

Best Advice:
"I would advise other members involved in the mental health field to make self-care an essential priority. This is important to avoid burnout. Self-care encompasses using leisure time to exercise, work out, take walks, practice yoga, participate in marathons, read, and attend films, concerts and plays. Take frequent vacations or weekends away. Dancing, playing sports and interacting with pets can be very relaxing. Seeking the counsel of other professionals is an excellent way to re-energize."

Passionate about:
"Working with people who want direction in their lives. They have a desire to make choices that will benefit them. I encourage them to risk being positive, to be sensitive to the feelings of others and to surround themselves with nurturing people. I encourage them to use humor frequently and to have goals and ambition for themselves and for others."

Biography Excerpt:
Cherie Lee Traylor, LCSW is licensed in the States of California and Maryland. She currently works as a psychosocial clinician in Kaiser Permanente’s Department of Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine. There, Ms. Traylor conducts psychotherapy sessions for adults, where she helps them tackle issues such as family dysfunction, relationships, addictions, couples therapy and women in transition. Additionally, she treats individuals struggling with depression, anxiety and panic disorders, as well as those who exhibit personality disorders or suicidal ideation.

     

Cambridge Who's Who: What would you like to promote most about yourself or Kaiser Permanente?  
CHERIE LEE TRAYLOR :  I have spent 30 years working at Kaiser Permanente, an organization I love and respect for their vanguard approach to providing comprehensive healthcare to its members, with their focus on disease prevention and on promoting healthy lifestyles. Kaiser Permanente is an HMO that was founded by Henry Kaiser in 1945. It has transformed healthcare in California and beyond. Kaiser is an organization where people like to work and have longevity. It is not unusual for employees to work there for 35 to 40 years. The Department of Psychiatry has been dynamic and on the cutting edge of mental health treatment. We have a myriad of classes and groups, some of which are free to benefit our members. Here is a sampling of these groups: relaxation and meditation, bi-polar support group, anxiety, depression, work stress, groups for gay men and new moms, “Doing What Works” groups, eating disorders, childhood trauma, bereavement and anger management. I like to think of myself as a change agent; a person who inspires and motivates others to find meaning in life, to make positive decisions and choices, and to learn ways to navigate through the adversities and challenges that we often face. My goal is to foster a nurturing environment where an individual feels safe to explore their issues. I enable them to reach [an] understanding and clarity that will allow them to live a more satisfying and productive life.

What goals are you looking to accomplish in the future?
To continue to mentor girls and women; to author a self-help book for women on identifying potential "red flags" early on in relationships with men; to learn to speak Spanish; to travel to far-away places; to grow roses; to have good and caring relationships with family and friends; To present seminars and workshops for women on mentoring, empowerment, assertiveness and the importance of self-love and self-care; To discuss the importance of nurturing relationships, issues with mothers, female friendships and bonding; To live at the beach and continue reading and writing.