About Me
I was first drawn to the work of healing by my love of animals. From veterinary medicine to language acquisition in primates, my interests moved me into the realm of infant research and human development more broadly. After more than 20 years of clinical work with people of all ages, I continue to marvel at our capacity for growth and change even in the face of experiences that derail us.
Psychotherapy can take many forms and the process varies greatly from person to person. Sometimes our pain is so great what we want more than anything is relief as soon as possible. Other times we have questions and want information to guide us in navigating the path of our lives. Often we want to learn how to be different than we are. I see therapy as an opportunity to explore what is mysterious to us about ourselves in order to expand what is knowable, what is bearable and what is possible. Bringing my background in dance, therapeutic movement and yoga to this work enables me to address many levels of experience we have in our bodies and minds.
I believe in the power of psychotherapy across the lifespan as there is always room to grow.
My training
I began my career working with mothers and their children attempting to rebuild lives that centered on something other than drugs and alcohol. I received my Masters and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Rutgers University Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology. During my doctoral training, I was a National Institute of Alcohol and Alcoholism Fellow at the Center of Alcohol Studies. I completed my pre-doctoral internship at the Veterans Affairs (VA) New Jersey Healthcare System. After graduating I worked for several years in two of NJ’s four Regional Diagnostic and Treatment Centers for Child Abuse and Neglect. I have worked in inpatient, outpatient and residential treatment settings and have been in independent practice since 2004.
I am trained to use a range of therapeutic approaches, including but not limited to contemporary psychodynamic therapy, interpersonal therapy, CBT, EMDR, mindfulness, relaxation training, and other body-based approaches. The nature of your concerns, your preferences and my clinical judgement together will determine which approach or approaches we incorporate into our work together. I have helped people to address a range of concerns including anxiety, depression, relationship conflicts, serious and persistent mental illness. And I have worked extensively with child and adult survivors of sexual, physical, relational, and systemic trauma.
I have always had an interest in supporting the health of women and children. In 2015 I began a course of in-depth training in reproductive mental health which informs my work with people who are growing families with partners, with donors, or on their own. I am certified in the treatment of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and loss as well as a couples-focused approach to preparing for a child to join the family.
I rely on these experiences and on-going training to form an integrative and collaborative approach to healing.