IF YOU ARE READING THIS WHAT YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW IS:

Can I really help? Who am I?
Am I good at what I do?
 

My passion and focus is relationships. Seriously. Working with two people in a room is where I shine.

As you read this you’ll get an idea of who I am and if we’ll work well together, not just list the things I’ve done (though you can click here for that information).

I consider being a therapist an absolute privilege. My story of becoming a therapist began with my own personal development journey, so I am aware how special and important my role is. Working with couples, individuals and families in their trauma and grief to find connection and a way home gives me purpose and pride.

As a therapist, I AM GOING TO JUMP INTO THE DEEP END OF THE POOL WITH YOU AND YOUR PARTNER

You are coming to me to do serious work and I honor this – I am not the nod your head type of therapist. We will work hard. I know you are the expert on you, but I have a great BS detector. I’ll call you on your stuff. I will laugh with you. I will cry with you and I will bring everything I have learned, researched, studied and experienced to our time together.

This isn’t my first rodeo. I’ve worked with thousands of clients. After twenty five years in this field I’m unshockable. I’m not afraid to talk about anything you need to talk about. Sex? Money?  Long held secrets? Let’s get it all out; there’s nothing to be ashamed of because this is where the healing begins.

And to answer the very first questions: Yes, I do know what I’m doing. I’ve trained under world class experts to learn the highest level of skill. I am continually learning  and improving so I can be the expert you need.
I may not always get it right. I definitely make mistakes and when I do I am very transparent and in the moment with my clients. In fact, my clients teach me extraordinary lessons everyday about being human.

I can help. And, yes, I love what I do, and yes, I am very good at it.

• Nationally Certified Counselor licensed in New York, Florida, and Virginia
• Certified School Counselor specialized in special education, play therapy, and childhood trauma
• Family Therapist with experience in residential treatment, crisis centers and psychiatric hospitals, and expertise in attachment-based trauma, families in crisis, and couples therapy.
• Private Practitioner since 1998
• Clinical Professor on the faculty of the State University of New York at Buffalo in the department of Counseling, School and Educational Psychology for 11 years before moving to Virginia.
• Provided training and consultation to agencies serving abused, neglected, and traumatized children and families, including foster parent organizations, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), Child Protection workers, family courts, and schools.
• Elected Professional and Board Positions on local, state, and national professional counseling associations. Including Past President of the North Atlantic Region Association of  Counselor Education and Supervision and Executive Committee member for the Association of Counseling Education Supervision. 
• Proven expertise in extreme mood and personality disorders that arise from complex trauma and abuse.
• Extensive experience as a New York Supreme Court Family Mediator, Divorce Coach, Parent Coordinator. Served as expert witness in both criminal and family court.
• Presented regionally and nationally as well as being a frequent presenter at conferences, workshops, and trainings on topics such as child trauma, blended families, personal empowerment, high conflict divorce, traumatic effects of divorce and separation on children, LGBTQ Couples Therapy, and effective therapeutic interventions.
• Conducted research on the incidence of PTSD in children from high conflict divorce families.
• Recognized Relationship and Mental Health Expert invited to speak at national and local conferences, on local news and radio and to give talks and lead discussions at universities, companies and wellness retreats.

Memberships:

• AASECT – American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists
• ACA – American Counseling Association
• AMHCA – American Mental Health Counseling Association
• ATSS – Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists
• EMDRIA – Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing International Association
• ICEEFT – International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy