Mary Waldon, PhD

Mary Waldon maintains a private practice in Chicago where she works with women, adolescent girls and their parents, and couples. Dr. Waldon is adjunct faculty at ICSW, and she has served as Visiting Assistant Clinical Professor in the Social Work Department at the Erikson Institute. She is intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and came to psychoanalytic training later in her career. Dr. Waldon wrote her dissertation on fandom, group-think, and connection to family. The title of her dissertation is: coNFLicted - NFL Fans’ Perception of Race: A Phenomenological Study. For fun, Dr. Waldon enjoys recording and publishing guided meditations; leading group meditations; hosting podcasts; and interviewing people living their passions.

EDUCATION

  • Institute for Clinical Social Work, Chicago, IL PhD in Clinical Social Work, 2024, Dissertation title: “coNFLicted - NFL Fans’ Perception of Race: A Phenomenological Study,” ProQuest Dissertations & Theses, 31329558.

  • University of Chicago - School of Social Service Administration, Chicago, IL Fellowship in Advanced Psychodynamic Practice

  • University of Chicago - School of Social Service Administration, Chicago, IL Atrium Magister (Master of Social Work)

  • Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA Bachelor of Science - Political Theory

LICENSURE

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker State of Illinois since 2008

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker State of Wisconsin since 2022

  • Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker State of Massachusetts since 2023

PUBLICATIONS

  • coNFLicted - NFL Fans’ Perception of Race:A Phenomenological Study, PhD Dissertation, Institute for Clinical Social Work (Chicago), 2024, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses. 31329558

  • DVD Self Harm: What to do when you realize your child is cutting, 2010 Comprehensive video guide and workbook to help parents find appropriate treatment for their child who is self-harming

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

  • Adolescents

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy

  • Mindfulness

  • Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

  • Qualitative research

  • Women ages 17 +