Quotes about Arlene (Ari) Istar Lev, L.C.S.W., C.A.S.A.C.:

Finally a handbook for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender parents that addresses the real struggles and joys our families face. The Complete Lesbian and Gay Parenting Guide is both deeply serious, and belly-laugh funny, while remaining filled with useful advice and heartwarming personal stories. – Rosie O'Donnell

Arlene was a professor of mine in grad school at SUNY Albany, I was fascinated by her knowledge and ability to communicate, teach and demonstrate what it takes to complete a comprehensive assessment for a client. Arlene is a wealthy of knowledge and always willing to educate or just provide support. – David Rossetti LCSW

A pioneer among queer identified therapists, Arlene Lev was living truthfully inside of her work long before others were willing to take that risk. As a professor, supervisor, and consultant her shared wisdom and stories have been an inspiration to me throughout my career. – Sara Shuff-Heck, LICSW

Arlene is a true colleague in our work with gender variant children and transgender youth. I rely on her mental health assessments of these children and know that they have been skillfully and compassionately accomplished. – Irene N. Sills, MD Professor of Pediatrics Syracuse, NY

Arlene has unique insight and expertise into gender identity issues and has been of incalculable assistance to me in my transition. – Corey J Polesel

Ari's intelligence and warmth made her classes a rare pleasure. I will remember her as one of my favorite professors. – Deborah Boston, MSW Rutland Mental Health Services

Arlene Istar Lev LCSW, CASAC is a highly recognized and dedicated leader in this field. Arlene has authored numerous books, articles, essays, and other publications. She is a tireless educator and advocate for this specialized population as evidenced by her long resume of program developments, presentations, trainings and workshop. – Cailin George, SPARC

You always brought an excitement to the learning process, whether it was learning about a diagnosis or a pioneer in treatment or our own life stories. I gained a wealth of knowledge about how to deal with others while at the same time learning how to understand myself through family issues. The culture of your classroom was one of caring with just enough challenging to guide individuals into new thoughts and behaviors. – Helen Zimniewicz Gentle Breeze Counseling, LLC Leesburg FL

One of the things I really like about working with Ari is how she can handle both developmental disability and sexuality; and that neither is treated as if it’s not normal. Ari masterfully manages difficult situations such that they seem less like problems and more like realities that need to be made to feel a bit less uncomfortable. – Vicki Dillon

Arlene creates an environment that is warm, inviting, and completely comfortable for all who come to visit. She was able to give our whole family valuable information, resources, hope and love during a very scary time of transition and pain. I think the name Choices is so appropriate for Arlene - she was able to show us many choices back to wellness that we never would have found without her help. – The Farr family

I always read or listen enthusiastically to anything Ari has to say. Why? Because you don't get the same old staid, trite stuff you get everywhere else. Arlene is an authentically original thinker who leaps from the edges with great courage and articulation. She teaches, discusses and lives with great joy, humor and passion inspiring and provoking her students and friends to move onto new ground themselves. – Marianna Tomasino CSW, psychotherapist

Ari does this amazing thing with questions. She asks good ones and she makes you really think about it. But the best part of all is that along with the question, she gives you the courage to breathe and find your own answers. I love that about her. – Elizabeth Moody, Vermont College Student

I've known Arlene as a graduate professor, and later in my career as a clinical supervisor. Her presentation style is the perfect blend of real life experience and theory, often making classes interesting and unusually entertaining. As a clinical supervisor, she often helped me to look at cases differently, challenging my own beliefs gently yet firmly. Arlene has the uncanny ability to help people look at their work critically, and yet does so supportively in a manner that instills confidence. She has charisma, brains and heart; I value her professional friendship immensely. – Laura Davey, CSW, psychotherapist

Her intelligence, insight, compassion, and humor make Arlene Istar Lev a wonderful person to work with. Would that there were more like her, who can cut to the core, with such kindness and comaradie? – Elayne Clift, writer/consultant

Ari Lev is one of the most thoughtful and outspoken advocates for FTM transgender people, alert and sensitive to their clinical needs and articulate about ways the mental health professions can better serve them. – Laura Markowitz, Editor, IN THE FAMILY Magazine

Arlene Lev's interactive teaching style inspires students’ full participation in the learning process. Her strong theoretical foundation and extensive clinical experience combined with her wit and wisdom make the learning experience enjoyable and rewarding. I've rarely had so much fun while working so hard. – Angela E. Grace, CSW, Hospital Social Worker, Cayuga Medical Center Ithaca, NY

Arlene was the most inspirational instructor in my life as a student. She has the innate ability to present material in a manner that encourages you to learn as much as possible and enjoy the process. She has instilled in me, the capacity to broaden my viewpoints and in becoming more aware of current day issues, primarily related to LGBT issues in our society. Arlene has left a huge impact on my life and I feel extremely fortunate to have been her student. – Katie Keiley MSW, Family Service Centers in Clearwater Florida

I have found Arlene to be willing to go into clinical territory that is outside the “box” of the current mainstream while simultaneously being mindful of the legal and ethical issues within our field. Arlene's ability to adapt and flex to my needs exemplifies one of her many clinical skills. Her dynamic mixture of intuition, emotion, and therapeutic skill has me unequivocally recommend her as a clinical supervisor. – Judith A. Torel, MS, CRC, CLWMC Lifestyle Therapist, Chinese Meridian Therapist

Arlene is a gifted, inspiring and humorous instructor. Her students have said she is not only brilliant but that she is the instructor they are “least likely to fall asleep on.” – Barbara Rio, MSW Undergraduate Field Coordinator, SUNY Albany School of Social Welfare

Arlene Istar Lev supported me during the preparation of a policy statement for the National Association of Social Workers on transgender issues that has been published in Social Work Speaks. I am impressed with her superior intelligence and creativity, her boundless energy and delightful sense of humor. I highly recommend her as a presenter. – Barry L. Moore, LCSW, ACSW

Arlene Istar Lev is a true gem to work with. As a top-notch contributor to Alternative Family and as an author, her work reflects her gift of overcoming the challenges that many GLBT families face. We are truly grateful to have Arlene as an ongoing columnist and consider her work to be a part of our success. – Kelly Taylor, Founder/Editor in Chief, Proud Parenting Magazine