Phara Lafortune-Morame

Phara Lafortune-MoramePhara Lafortune-Morame is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in the state of Florida. She earned her master’s degree in social work from Western Michigan University and her undergraduate degree in psychology from Calvin University in Grand Rapids MI. In addition, she has earned her master’s level certified addiction professional (MCAP) credential demonstrating expertise in treating substance use disorders and she is trained in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) demonstrating competency in treating complex trauma with diverse populations. She is a qualified supervisor (QS) for social work registered interns. She works as a behavior health service provider at Healthcare Network, a nonprofit, federally qualified health center (FQHC) in Naples, FL, providing services to underserved populations. Phara also owns a small private practice with a focus on geriatric in assisted living facilities to make quality mental health services accessible to this population, which is often forgotten. Phara is an active member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing International Association (AMDRIA). She is married and together they have four children: a 20-year-old junior in college, a 17-year-old senior in high school and a pair of 10-year-old fraternal twins.

During her spare time, she enjoys physical activities, the beach, spending time with her family/friends and watching The Big Bang Theory reruns.

Phara strongly believes that research is a perfect marriage between theory and practice. Her current research interests include: chronic disease management in adult minority groups and the role of faith/spirituality and past traumatic experiences (including health disparity and injustices) in managing/mismanaging diseases and a close look at the effect of unresolved traumatic injuries on overall health; transgenerational trauma within the Haitian population (how to recognize it, treat it and stop the cycle); and social justice and cultural disparities (how to engage, assess and intervene with Haitian patients).

Area of Study

Chronic disease management in adult minority and the role of faith/spirituality and past traumatic experiences (including health disparity and injustices) in managing/mismanaging diseases: A close look at the effect of unresolved traumatic injuries on overall health.

Education

  • Master of Social Work degree, Western Michigan University
  • Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Calvin University