Dr. Lori Goss-Reaves is a licensed clinical social worker with over 35 years of experience. She began her career as a preschool social worker serving children with developmental disabilities. After obtaining her master’s degree, Dr. Goss-Reaves worked as an outpatient therapist at a mental health center where she specialized in parent education. She also worked at a Family Services agency helping survivors of sexual abuse. Dr. Goss-Reaves continued her work with families in a home-based program that received referrals from the Department of Child Services and the Probation Department. Dr. Goss-Reaves spent the remainder of her clinical career in the school-based setting helping children with behavior challenges. She facilitated groups for parents and social skills/anger management groups for students from kindergarten through senior high school.

Dr. Goss-Reaves is the daughter of a Navy Corpsman who was killed in action in Vietnam. She gathered the oral histories of four men who served with him and interviewed twenty-eight Marines and Corpsman who had firsthand knowledge of the battle where her father lost his life. Dr. Goss-Reaves book, "Kiss Lori For Me" contains her father's letters home from Vietnam and honors her parents' legacy of love.

She and her husband, Eric are the proud parents of five amazing young adults. Their middle child has been dually diagnosed with severe autism and Down syndrome. Six beautiful grandchildren fill their hearts with joy.

INTERESTS

Dr. Goss-Reaves completed her dissertation titled, “Supporting Parents Raising Children with Autism: A Participatory Action Research Approach” in 2013. She is passionate about the welfare of vulnerable children and being a voice for those who are vulnerable. 

Dr. Goss-Reaves serves as the State Representative for House District 31 in the General Assembly.  She holds author talks and Vietnam Veteran spotlights to encourage our veterans to tell their stories. She presents on various topics including trauma, loss/grief, patriotism, and faith.