About

I offer the clients that I consult with over 40 years of experience in the problem-solving efforts of multiple types of mental health, behavioral, interpersonal, and emotional distress. During my career, I have engaged clients in a variety of settings including group managed care practices, in-patient hospitals, outpatient community mental health, and forensic. Along the way, my approaches to treatment have evolved. My initial approaches to treatment included the use of Transactional Analysis and Gestalt therapies. These interests led to the pursuit of my Master of Art (MA) studies in Expressive Arts Therapies. In my post-master externship in Family Systems therapies, I applied these skills as a therapist with county community mental health in Virginia. My doctoral program integrated my interest in Systems and Existential forms of treatment. My work with managed care outpatient settings allowed for me to broaden my treatment approaches to include Solution-Focused, Narrative Therapies, and Motivational Interviewing. During the recent 23 years, I had been employed with a number of Corrections facilities including the Franklin Medical Center. While a Corrections Psychologist I familiarized myself with research inquiries asking, "What works in therapy?" As a result, I now frequently use in-session outcome measures aimed at assessing the effectiveness of my treatment approach and providing opportunities to consult with clients about any requested or needed adjustments to the approach. In the past 6 years, I have immersed myself in the study and application of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as my preferred treatment orientation within an otherwise integrative approach to care.