Professional Education and Training
I am a licensed psychologist, marriage and family therapist, and a social worker serving children and adults in private practice.
In my work with children, I hold a special interest in emotional intelligence, knowing that helping kids identify and manage their emotions leads to increased confidence and self control. Children so easily use their imaginations to create narratives about what’s happened to them. I work within these narratives to collaborate and create a process of healing and recovery.
In addition, I use the EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) mental health treatment modality to work with clients who have experienced trauma. EMDR therapy facilitates the accessing and processing of traumatic memories and other adverse life experiences to bring these to an adaptive resolution.
I have worked for over 30 years in the mental health field in Austin and Philadelphia helping couples, families and individuals. I received a Masters in Social Work from University of Pennsylvania, completed a three-year, post-graduate training program in family systems from the esteemed Family Institute of Philadelphia, and earned my Phd in developmental psychology from Bryn Mawr College. I hold advanced certification in child development and play therapy from the Family and Play Therapy Center in Philadelphia and was a faculty member training therapists at the well-regarded Family Institute of Philadelphia for over 10 years.
Notably, I was privileged to work with Dr. James Framo, a pioneer in the field of family therapy and co-author of several early and significant books in the field. Seeing individuals within the context of their families is a powerful method for healing wounds and misunderstandings, and for reestablishing new ways of relating. Systems thinking is an integral part of how I assess and understand individuals, couples, and families.
I have seen children with a wide range of issues, both normal developmental problems as well as trauma. I have done many workshops on parenting and sibling relationships.
My work with individuals has been strongly influenced by my work with Dr. Paul Frisch. I trained and did workshops and individual therapy at Growth Skills in N.Y.C., which Dr. Frisch founded. His books and theory explore how power dynamics influence intimacy. I use this theory as I evaluate issues pertaining to individuals and couples.
I have written children’s books intended for kids to become skilled in managing their emotions. Yell and Shout, Cry and Pout: A Kid’s Guide to Feelings is an essential guidebook for adults in helping children identify and understand their emotions. Each of the eight emotions is clearly defined through vignettes and illustrations, keeping both adult and child captivated, thus creating an opportune time for discussion. My second book, Don’t Let Big Feelings Boss You, will come out shortly.
I went to Philadelphia initially to attend the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Work, where I received my MSW. After I received my MSW, I worked in many social service agencies: community mental health; foster care; in-patient adolescent; and residential treatment. I attended the Family Institute of Philadelphia, a three year post graduate training program in family systems. After my family systems training, I worked with Dr. James Framo, a pioneer in the field of family therapy and co-author of several early and significant books in the field. Seeing individuals within the context of their families is a powerful method for healing wounds and misunderstandings, and for reestablishing new ways of relating. Systems thinking is an integral part of how I assess and understand individuals, couples, and families.
Later, I became a faculty member for second year students at the Family Institute. I taught there for more than 10 years, until I began my pursuit of a Ph.D. I completed my Ph.D. in developmental psychology at Bryn Marw College. I followed up my Ph.D. with a two year advanced training course in child development and play therapy. I have seen children with a wide range of issues, both normal developmental problems as well as trauma. I have done many workshops on Parenting and Sibling Relationships. I have written a book on feelings, to be read to children by parents, counselors, or educators.
My work with individuals has been strongly influenced by my work with Dr. Paul Frisch. I trained and did workshops and individual therapy at Growth Skills in N.Y.C., which Dr. Frisch founded. His books and theory explore how power dynamics influence intimacy. I use this theory as I evaluate issues pertaining to individuals and couples.
An important aspect of my professional training is EMDR. Over the years I have become increasingly aware of how many people suffer from traumatic life events. Some are obvious, but others more hidden. For this reason I sought out training in EMDR, which is a very efficient and effective method for treating trauma; disturbing life events; anxiety; phobia; and depression. After I completed the training, and satisfied the clinical practice requirements, I became a Certified EMDR Therapist.
Professional Associations
American Psychological Association
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
Capital Area Psychological Association
EMDR International Association
