Dr. Judith Balcerzak's social work expertise spans over thirty-two years including thirty years in health care. Dr. Balcerzak’s career has involved direct clinical practice, clinical supervision, programme planning, management, social work education, and administration of public and private social work agencies. Judith teaches psychology and social work courses at Ventura College where she created and coordinates the Human Services Certificate Programme. Dr. Balcerzak serves as a consultant and trainer for the University of California at Davis providing training and consulting to counties throughout the State of California. She is licensed by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences to provide continuing education for licensed clinical social workers and licensed marriage and family therapists.
 

Dr. Balcerzak is the founder of Community First Counseling Center, a 501(c)(3)  programme in Ventura, California, where she chairs the board of directors, and oversees programme development, clinical supervision and grant writing. She is a graduate of International University for Graduate Studies earning a Ph.D. in 2003.

In 1977, Judith completed a master's degree in social work from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan where she was awarded a scholarship from the National Institute for Mental Health. She completed a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Michigan State University in 1973. Dr. Balcerzak holds licenses in clinical social work in both California and Michigan since the early 1980's and maintains a private clinical practice in California since 1983. Among her accomplishments are articles that have appeared in nursing and addictions studies journals.

Dr. Balcerzak's career in higher education includes over two decades as adjunct faculty in graduate degree programmes, upper division university programmes and community colleges, at such institutions as Azusa Pacific University, California State University Long Beach, and Oxnard and Ventura Colleges in Ventura County. Judith attends numerous professional conferences on a variety of clinical and social justice topics and serves as a faculty presenter and clinical oral examiner at International University for Graduate Studies residency programmes in St. Kitts, West Indies.

Dr. Balcerzak received the Excellence in Public Service Award from the County of Ventura in 1991. Balcerzak’s credentials include certification as a mediator and as a Zenger-Miller Leadership Trainer. An avid scuba diver and underwater photographer, Judith has traveled extensively throughout Europe, the Caribbean and the South Pacific. Dr. Balcerzak and her husband, Dr. Daniel Jordan live in Ventura County, California