PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

Licenses: District of Columbia and Maryland (Certified -Clinical)

 

Faculty Appointment:

• The Washington School of Psychiatry where I teach, train and supervise students and advanced clinicians

• George Washington University, Clinical Faculty, MFA, Psychiatry and Behavioral Services - 2015 to present.

Education:

• Master of Social Work, Adult Mental Health Concentration, 1985 – Catholic University of America, Washington, DC

• Master of Education (Adult and Higher Education), 1980 – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Internships:

• George Washington University, Washington, DC, 1983-84

• National Institute of Mental Health, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 1984-85

Post-graduate Training:

• D.C. Institute of Mental Health, Washington, DC 1985-1988

 

 

CERTIFICATIONS & SPECIAL TRAINING

• Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

• Professional Intensive Training at the Meadows Treatment Program (Love Addiction & Co-dependence based on a Shame-Based Model)

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Brief Psychotherapy

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Level I & II

• IMAGO Couples Counseling

• Twelve Step Recovery Program–AA, Al-Anon, ACOA, SCA/SLAA, etc.

• Certified Chemical Dependency Prevention Specialist–Smoking Cessation and Substance Abuse Relapse Prevention Programs

• Sex Counseling in Couples Therapy–i.e., Rekindling Desire in a Low-Sex or No-Sex Relationship

• Sexual Compulsivity

• Advanced Group Psychotherapy

• Dream Analysis - A Cognitive Model for Working with Dreams

• Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners Approved Supervisor for Advanced Licensure

 

 

THERAPEUTIC APPROACH

For over 20 years as a psychotherapist, I have had the privilege of watching people learn and grow in their life journeys.  In making the choice to come to therapy, you may have many questions:

HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED THERAPY? 
Do you suffer from extreme feelings of guilt or anxiety? Are you using drugs or alcohol to cope with sadness, anger or stress?  Do you feel alone or helpless? Are you struggling with personal relationships? Most clients come to therapy at a time of crisis and pain.  I am here to help you.

HOW CAN THERAPY HELP ME?
When faced with life’s challenges, I will help you view this as a moment of opportunity to examine and understand the lessons, and often the blessings, offered to you.  Psychotherapy offers you a safe and healing environment in order to facilitate change and problem solving.

WILL THERAPY CHANGE ME?
I believe that my job is to listen to your stories and to serve as your interactive guide in this process. By teaching you practical skills and offering powerful tools for change, I encourage you to find your own voice and evolve into who you want to be. Living authentically is the ultimate goal.

 

When you walk into my office, the magic begins. You make the choice to come to therapy; you choose to care for yourself. You may bring pain, heartache, guilt and anger with you. All are welcome. If you are struggling to find your way, let me help point you in the direction of your path.

 

 

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

My practice includes seeing individuals/couples and families with problems such as the following:

• Codependency/Adult Children of Alcoholics/Al Anon – family of origin, inner child and intimacy issues

• Sexuality/loss of desire/boundary and intimacy in relationships

• Recovery from Substance Abuse (including tobacco)/ Sexual Compulsivity/Addiction

• Advanced Group Psychotherapy

• Coming Out/Sexual Identity Issues

• Anxiety and Depression

• Mourning/Grief

• Caregiving Issues

• Divorce/Separation/Transitions

• Love Addiction/Love Avoider

• Coming Out of Marriage

• Gay Parenting Issues

• Gay Couples Struggling with Sexual Compulsivity

In addition I offer Group Therapy on the following topics: (click on a link for more infomation)

 

• "Queer Women's Group"- A cognitive behavioral and interpersonal psychotherapy group for women who love women.

 

• "Take Care of Yourself: Escaping Co-dependence"- Join this diverse, mixed gender group designed to help you gain the tools needed to live a fulfilled life.  This group offers tips for learning to love yourself, understand how to practice empathy, exude authenticity, expand the ability to feel and express emotion, establish boundaries, build confidence and fulfill your needs and wants.
   

• "Navigating Life Post-COVID: 'Turning the Corner' for Re-Entry"- Join this diverse, mixed gender group designed to help you gain the tools needed to live a fulfilled life.  This group offers tips for learning to love yourself, understand how to practice empathy, exude authenticity, expand the ability to feel and express emotion, establish boundaries, build confidence and fulfill your needs and wants.

 

   Click here to read my article The Power of Groups
 

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