Education
Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology)
Clinical Psychology
The Wright Institute
B.A (Bachelor of Arts)
Psychology
UC Berkley
About Me
As a child and adult therapist I am fortunate to witness the entire developmental span. With this unique window into the lifespan, I help children, parents, adults and couples gain insight into both the patterns being created and those already established in the mind. Patterns of how they relate to themselves and to the world. By first developing a safe and respectful relationship with my patients, we can begin to understand and uncover these complicated yet reflexive patterns that at some point served them, but along the way began to cause more harm than good.
I also specialize in working with children on the Autistic Spectrum, using a developmental, individualized, relationship model known as the DIR model. I have trained and practiced this model for the last 10 years and have over 25 years experience with typically developing children first as a preschool teacher and then as a clinician.
My training in contemporary Psychoanalysis informs my understanding of the importance of early relationships in our development. We create internal maps for how to relate with others and for what we expect from the important people in our lives. Only through understanding these maps can we begin to find and implement new perspectives.
Specialties
Children
Play is the medium through which young children express their developing construction of the world around them and their relationship to others and to themselves.
With the use of play therapy, I help children to overcome fear, anxiety, trauma, difficult family dynamics, and other disruptive forces that are causing them unhappiness and block their growth and development.
I also specialize in developmental delays, non-verbal learning disorders and children on the autistic spectrum. I utilize a developmental /relational model and, if needed coordinate with Occupational Therapists, Speech Therapists, schools, and parents. This individualized approach allows me to understand each child’s unique profile. This creates a unique team of support to help children overcome their obstacles to social communication and good relationships.
Some of the issues that I’ve helped children and families work with include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Bipolar Disorder
- Asperger
- Autistic Spectrum Disorder
- Trauma
- Divorce
- OCD
- Phobias
- Attachment Disorders
Adolescence
Adolescence is a time of immense change and development as individuals go from childhood to young adulthood in a relatively brief time. In addition, today’s teenagers face modern pressures we as parents and mental health providers do not fully grasp yet. Social media, enormous pressure for higher education and academic competition to name a few. I work with teens to give them extra guidance in understanding themselves and their unique developmental process, and to help successfully guide them through this tumultuous time in their development.
Some of the issues I have helped adolescence work on include:
- Mood Disorders, feelings of anger, loneliness and sadness
- Self esteem
- Friendship and intimate relationships
- Divorce
- School pressures, anxiety and stress
- Body issues and disordered eating
- Bipolar Disorder
Individual Adults and couples
By the time we reach adulthood, our patterns of negotiating our way through life and relationships can become problematic and rigid.
By first developing a trusting and empathic relationship with my patients, (individual or couples), together we are able to identify these unconscious patterns and develop new perspectives on old ideas which leads to more creative more fulfilling lives.
Some of the issues that I’ve helped people work on include:
- Depression
- Bipolar Disorder
- Anxiety
- Panic
- Eating Disorders
- Intimacy problems
- Relationship Difficulties