It is a profound privilege to have worked as a mental health professional for the past two and a half decades, helping hundreds of people find relief and healing from emotional pain. I've spent 15 years as a senior staff psychologist at the Department of Psychiatry at Kaiser Permanente, Santa Rosa, CA conducting individual and group psychotherapy as well as developing programs for patients and staff on the health benefits of positive psychology. Additionally, I have facilitated groups for patients with cancer and chronic pain, supervised post-doctoral residents, offered trainings for health professionals, and taught psychology and wellness courses at community gatherings and local colleges. For many years, I have been offering services through my private psychotherapy practice. |
Qualifications & Approach
I obtained my undergraduate degree at Princeton University and my graduate training in psychology at the Clinical Science Program at the University of California, Berkeley (license: PSY 18713). Prior to my current private practice, I worked in a range of settings including VA hospital, community mental health clinics, and college counseling services.
While trained as a generalist with extensive experience treating a complete range of adult psychopathology, I have come to specialize in the intersection between mental and physical well-being. My expertise includes working with clients who have experienced the physical/emotional challenges associated with anxiety, depression, illness, cancer, pain, stress, age-related conditions and relational problems.
I approach my collaboration with clients from a place of great respect for their values and life experience. I understand that it takes courage to seek help and allow oneself to be vulnerable within a therapeutic relationship.
Therapy is tailored to meet the client's individual needs. Each person comes to the office with a complex personal history and a compelling set of beliefs and behaviors. I draw upon the advanced trainings I've received in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, Seeking Safety, and Mindfulness-based therapy, among other paradigms, to develop a treatment plan that makes sense for the individual.
My gentle style is down-to-earth and quite active. My clients appreciate not only being deeply heard and supported in therapy, but also receiving direct feedback and guidance. I help empower individuals to make significant positive changes in their lives, and to take responsibility for their relationship with their thoughts, mood, and lifestyle.