Meet the Experts

Katie Fries

MSW, LCSW

Katie Fries has a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies-South Asia/Human Rights and Justice with a minor in family violence prevention. Katie earned her master's of social work from Rutgers University and is a registered play therapist and licensed clinical social worker in Pennsylvania. Katie specializes in treating complex trauma and has extensive training in EMDR, trauma-informed hypnotherapy, and Gestalt therapy. Katie currently serves as owner and clinical director of All of You Therapy, LLC, where she works with children, teens, and adults and provides clinical mentorship to other therapists.

Christina Marsack-Topolewski

PhD, MSW, LMSW

Dr. Christina Marsack-Topolewski is an associate professor of Social Work in the College of Health and Human Services at Eastern Michigan University. She received a bachelor of science in Special Education from Wayne State University, specializing in Cognitive Impairments. She trained under a specialized fellowship at the University of Michigan, receiving her master's in Social Work and specializing in aging from the University of Michigan. Dr. Marsack-Topolewski received her PhD in Social Work with a dual title in Gerontology from Wayne State University. She has worked with individuals with various intellectual and developmental disabilities for over 20 years. Her research focuses on individuals with IDDs, their caregivers, advance care planning, service delivery, and service utilization. She has over 50 publications in national and international journals, mainly focusing on individuals with IDDs, advance care planning, caregiving, and aging. In addition, she has presented her work locally, nationally, and internationally. Dr. Marsack-Topolewski has led multiple grant-funded programs tailoring services to individuals with IDDs, older adults, and chronic illnesses. In 2019, she was appointed to the National Task Group on Intellectual Disability and Dementia Practices. She serves as both a board member and co-chair of Membership Affairs. Over the past three years, she has provided testimony at the state level (Michigan) to advocate for two house bills that would provide protections against exploitation for vulnerable adults, such as individuals with IDDs.

Allan Barsky

JD, MSW, PhD

Dr. Allan Barsky is a professor of social work at Florida Atlantic University where he was awarded "Scholar of the Year" in 2020. He is a former chair of the National Ethics Committee of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and was awarded NASW's "Excellent in Ethics Award." In 2024, he received the "Florida Atlantic University Alumni Award for Impact in Teaching" and the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts "Research Award." Dr. Barsky's book credits include "Ethics and Values in Social Work," "Conflict Resolution for the Helping Professions," "Clinicians in Court" and "Essential Ethics for Social Work Practice."