About Me

I received my Master’s and Doctoral degrees from Adler University in Chicago.  I have extensive experience in the assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and adults across a range of treatment settings including private group practice, community mental health, forensic, and school settings.  I believe in the client’s ability to change and in the power of the therapeutic relationship to facilitate healing. 

My approach is empathic and individualistic as I strive to understand a client’s unique personal background and history.  Utilizing a confidential, collaborative therapist-client relationship, I seek to discover the unique perceptions and decisions a client has made regarding self, others, and the world.  The goal is to seek insight into how such decisions influence the cognitive map a client uses to navigate the landscape of thoughts, behavior, and emotion.  Helping clients with the development of more effective coping and problem solving to facilitate healing is the goal. 

I use a strength focused approach to encourage self-efficacy, increase adaptation, and improve intrapersonal and interpersonal functioning.  I conceptualize through a holistic Adlerian orientation, but also make use of insight-oriented, psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused, and mind-body techniques to build awareness within the client of the unique motivation belying their movement through life.  I would characterize my strengths as empathy, relationship building, Adlerian theory, mindfulness, psychodynamic, and insight-oriented interventions.  I am also trained in clinical hypnosis and utilize this therapeutic tool when clinically appropriate and with the client’s consent.  I utilize these strengths well with adults and adolescent populations. 

Areas of Practice and Education

I WORK WITH

• Adults 18+

• Adolescents

• Couples

• Families

CLINICAL ISSUES

Depression, anxiety, anger, trauma, men’s issues, lifespan issues, coping skills, grief and loss, self-esteem, stress management, high functioning autism, transitions

EDUCATION AND TRAINING 

• Adler School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, Illinois

Doctor of Psychology, Clinical (Psy.D) 2009

• Adler School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, Illinois

  Master of Arts, Counseling & Organizational Psychology 2005

• Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois

  Bachelor of Science, Journalism & Advertising 1977

  Minor in Administration of Justice

SPECIALIZED TRAINING

• Certificate in Clinical Hypnosis

• Certificates in Adlerian Psychotherapy and in Group Psychotherapy