BIO

---

I am a licensed clinical psychologist with over 25 years of experience.  My specialties include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), family systems therapy, and interpersonal psychotherapy.

My approach is dictated by your identified needs.

For example, if you are suffering with emotional problems, I target symptom relief using support and CBT tools.  This evidence-based approach is considered the most effective treatment with the greatest results. (The Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Review of Meta-anaysis, 2012, Hofmann,S. et.al. )  In conjunction with interpersonal psychotherapy, clients often find improvement to be quick and sustainable in the long term.

Adolescent or child concerns are both family concerns and behavioral/emotional problems for the child.  I use a two-fold approach.  First, I establish rapport with the child in a separate private relationship. This protected relationship builds the child's comfort with therapy and becomes a platform to build skills, reduce emotional distress, and build an alliance.  Second, I work collaboratively with parents,  focusing on communication, cooperation skills and empathy.  This approach honors both parties with the overall goal to create a more harmonious family.

My practice also extends to people with eating disorders who are looking for emotional freedom from the negative cycle of self-critical thoughts and self-destructive behaviors.  Separating emotions from food and developing a more “neutral” relationship with one's body and food builds self-acceptance and contentment.  Exposure/response treatment, mindfulness skills and family work are critical to success with this population.  I am an active board member of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (iaedp) Heartland Chapter, and work collaboratively with nutritionists, psychiatrists, and internists in a team approach.