Third Division Chair, Commonwealth of Massachusetts House of Representatives, 2023-present

Representative, Commonwealth of Massachusetts House of Representatives, District Twelfth Middlesex, 1999-present

Second Division Chair, Commonwealth of Massachusetts House of Representatives, 2021-2023

Candidate, Commonwealth of Massachusetts House of Representatives, District Twelfth Middlesex, 2020

Member, Newton Board of Alderman, 1988-1995

Member, Ethics Committee

Member, Joint Committee on Rules

Member, Rules Committee

Former Vice Chair, Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets Committee, Commonwealth of Massachusetts House of Representatives

Former Chair, Joint Committee on Elder Affairs, Massachusetts State House of Representatives

Former Member, Joint Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee, Commonwealth of Massachusetts House of Representatives

Former Member, Joint Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development Committee, Commonwealth of Massachusetts House of Representatives

Former Member, Joint Veterans and Federal Affairs Committee, Commonwealth of Massachusetts House of Representatives

Former Member, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Committee, Commonwealth of Massachusetts House of Representatives

Former Vice Chair, Public Health Committee, Commonwealth of Massachusetts House of Representatives

Former Member, Technology and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, Commonwealth of Massachusetts House of Representatives

Former Member, Ways and Means Committee, Commonwealth of Massachusetts House of Representatives

Member, Womens Political Caucus, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Clinical Psychologist, Private Practice; Newton, Massachusetts

Member, American Jewish Congress

Member, Appalachian Mountain Club

Member, Green Decade Coalition

Member, Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action

Member, Jewish Community Relations Council

Member, Massachusetts Psychological Association

Member, New England Region Friends of University of Haifa

Member, Newton Conservators

Member, Newton Democratic City Committee

Member, Newton League of Women Voters

Former Chair, Ward 8 Committee

Awards:

MassAccess -- State Legislator of the Year -- 2016
Trauma & Learning Policy Initiative of Massachusetts Advocates for Children and Harvard Law School -- "Legislative Champion Award" -- 2015
Transformation Center -- "Ally Award" -- 2015
Clubhouse Coaltion -- "Legislative Leadership" -- 2015
Equal Justice Coalition -- 2014 Beacon of Justice Award -- January, 2015
The Massachusetts Neuropsychological Society -- Outstanding Legislator of the Year -- 2013
Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee -- Certificate of Appreciation -- to Rep.Ruth Balser "Tireless Advocate for the Rights of Persons with Psychiatric Histories" -- February 2013
Equal Justice Coalition -- 2012 Beacon of Justice Award -- January, 2013
Providers' Council for Caring Communities -- Special Recognition -- 2012
National Association of Social Workers (NASW) -- Elected Official of the Year -- 2009
Women's Bar Association of Massachusetts -- Legislator of the Year -- 2009
Fire Chiefs' Association of Massachusetts -- In Recognition of your Untiring Effort in sponsoring "The Forgotten Fire Bill" -- 2009
National Organization of Women (MA Chapter) -- Legislator of the Year -- 2008
NAMI Massachusetts -- Heroes in the Fight -- 2008
Massachusetts Coalition for Addiction Services -- Ending Insurance Discrimination Champion Award -- 2008
Riverside Community Care -- Leadership Award -- 2008
Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology -- Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters -- 2008
Labor Assistance Professionals of Massachusetts Recognition Award -- "In recognition of your outstanding contributions, helping those with substance abuse problems in the community and in organized labor." -- 2007
Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association -- Outstanding Service Award -- 2007
Hope House -- Spirit of Hope Award -- 2007
Massachusetts Family Planning Association -- Family Planning Leadership Award -- 2007
Massachusetts Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors -- "For outstanding legislative actions contributing to treatment of the chemically dependent." -- 2006
Riverside Community Care -- Leadership Award -- 2006
Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership -- "In recognition and appreciation of outstanding leadership, advocacy and support on behalf of consumers of behavioral health services." -- 2006
Disability Law Center -- Legislative Leadership Award -- 2006
Massachusetts Coalition for Addiction Treatment -- Certificate of Appreciation -- 2006
American Psychological Association -- State Legislator of the Year -- 2006
The Recovery Homes Collaborative -- "For your integrity and your keen sense of responsibility to the community for seeking the value in recovering individuals, and supporting our efforts we thank you." -- September 14, 2006
Massachusetts General Hospital Endowment for the Advancement of Psychotherapy -- Leadership Award for the Advancement of Mental Health -- 2006
National Alliance on Mental Illness Greater Boston Consumer Advocacy/Affiliate Network (NAMI GB CAN) -- Representative of the Year -- 2006
MassPIRG -- The Global Warming Hero Award -- June, 2006
MassPIRG -- Public Interest Champion -- 2006
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services Department of Mental Health -- Certificate of Appreciation -- 2006
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services Department of Mental Health -- Distinguished Service Award -- 2005
The ARC of Greater Boston -- Outstanding Legislator Award -- 2005
The Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics -- Child Advocate of the Year Award -- 2005
The Massachusetts Psychological Association -- Ezra Saul Psychological Service Award -- 2003
The Massachusetts Council of Human Service Providers -- Legislator of the Year Award -- 2003
The Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council and Association for Retarded Citizens Massachusetts -- Legislator of the Year Award -- 2002
The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill -- Legislator of the Year Award -- 2002
Work, Community, Independence (WCI) -- Legislator of the Year Award -- 2002
The Massachusetts Association of Jewish Federations and the Jewish Community Relations Council -- Legislative Achievement Award -- 2002
The Newton Conservators -- Environmentalist of the Year Award -- 2001
Greater Boston Association for Retarded Citizens -- Outstanding Legislator Award -- 2001
The Newton Parent Advisory Council for Special Education -- Distinguished Service Award -- 2000
The American Psychological Association -- Presidential Citation -- 2000
The American Psychological Association -- Karl F. Heiser Presidential Award -- 2000
Riverside Community Care Leadership Award -- 2000
The Environmental League of Massachusetts -- Environmental Honor Roll Award -- 2000