About

Trying to find help can sometimes be very difficult for people and I feel it's a clinician's job to make this process as easy as possible. I offer an empathic and safe place to address some of the challenges in life that people may be experiencing. As a therapist, I focus on being open, accepting, encouraging and direct. While I believe it is important to both listen and provide support to people, I also try and offer practical feedback/guidance that can be useful in helping people resolve problems and gain more satisfaction in their lives.

Most often I use a psycho-dynamic approach in therapy which is based on the idea that when someone talks about their problems, they feel better and can resolve life issues much better. I also believe that each person is the true expert of their own life and experiences. Accordingly, the therapeutic interaction can facilitate the process of helping people recognize possible problems and gather greater strength towards making healthier life choices/changes.

I have several years of experience in providing therapy and working as a clinical social worker in areas that include private practice, crisis screening & intervention, community mental health and residential treatment settings. I have also had the opportunity to utilize and refine my clinical skills while conducting civil rights investigations with the federal government for over 20 plus years.

My educational background includes receiving a B.A. in psychology from Amherst College in 1989, an M.S.W. from Smith College’s School of Social Work in 1991 and a J.D. from Western New England College’s School of Law in 1998.

SPECIALTIES:
•Stress, Anxiety
•Depression
•Coping with Addictions
•Trauma and Abuse
•Anger Management
•Self Esteem
•Relationship Issues