Lesley University

Paula Sherin Stahl '68

When Paula Sherin Stahl graduated in 1968, "we were all elementary education majors," she says, "child and community (a later Lesley major) was unheard of." But Paula was drawn to learn how to help children that were not doing so well. After earning her bachelor's degree at Lesley, Paula attended University of Maryland on an assistantship and earned a combined master's of education and certificate of advanced graduate study in counseling and personnel services. She later earned her doctorate from Boston University.

In 1985 Paula founded Children's Charter in Waltham, Massachusetts, a clinic providing specialized psychological treatment services to children, adults and families who have been victimized by sexual and physical abuse. The largest provider of outpatient trauma services in Massachusetts, Children's Charter also offers extensive training and consulting on forensic mental health issues to the courts, schools, community providers and state agencies.

"Accepting the idea that sexual abuse happens is, in itself, emotionally difficult," says Paula." One of society's strongest held beliefs is that adults and families act in children's best interests." This emotional discomfort can be potentially harmful as well. When children who have been abused are met with disbelief, says Paula, "they will likely stop talking about the abuse, or even recant a valid disclosure."

When asked about how one can understand the abuser, Paula says it is important to remove "the sense of monstrosity from the act." Abusers are human beings, not monsters, she points out, and "most people who abuse children are seeking to compensate for feelings of rage, powerlessness, and the loss of control in their own lives." With repeated offences cloaked in secrecy, their behavior can become ingrained and compulsive.

As abhorrent as these acts may be, Paula is a firm believer in compassion, saying that "the quality that allows or precedes understanding is empathy."

"Those of us who serve these families should be prepared to offer treatment that is grounded in respect, acceptance and a professional knowledge base," she says.

A former Lesley trustee for 17 years, Paula is a founding member of the Massachusetts Children's Trust Fund, and has served on the board of Massachusetts Department of Social Services and on the Mass. Governor's Commission on Unmet Legal Needs of Children.

This profile was compiled from previously published sources: The (Lesley) Current, Summer 1977, and Lesley Magazine editions – Summer 1990 and Summer 1998.