I have 19 years of experience in helping children, teens and young adults resolve issues such as anxiety, depression, difficulties with peer relationships, dealing with grief, recovery from substance abuse, poor academic performance and school refusal.  In addition, I specialize in individual and family therapy for children with attentional, learning and/or behavior problems. I work closely with parents while giving concrete and pragmatic advice designed to help them get their children's behavior under control.  I have broad experience in helping both men and women in recovery, and in supporting the parents of teens and young adults with mental health and substance abuse issues as they transition back to home, secondary school, college or other settings after dual-diagnosis or substance abuse treatment.

Another area of expertise is in helping families cope with the complex array of issues surrounding divorce, remarriage and the blended family. The transition through divorce or remarriage presents a wide array of issues that have emotional, legal, financial and other consequences. Each phase of the process from the initial decision to the actual event and the aftermath creates challenges that require thoughtful consideration.  Families can and do re-establish themselves and go on to create stable, supportive and loving environments for themselves and their children. I believe that divorced and remarrying parents as well as their children benefit from therapeutic guidance, support and advice as they work to ensure the best possible adjustment for their family.

In therapy I engage children and adolescents in a warm therapeutic relationship that encourages them to talk about, play about and solve problems while building the skills they need to succeed. As a therapist my approach is psychodynamic, relational and solution focused.  My adult patients are supported and engaged in a process to restore a sense of wellbing as they learn to reduce their anxiety and emotional reactivity and to improve their relationships.  Change is accomplished by helping patients learn to live in the present moment and build skills as they come into better relationship with themselves and others. Individuals, families, and couples are encouraged to acknowledge their strengths and are guided as they learn to make desired changes while listening to their own intuitive voice and wisdom.

When desired I assist patients in integrating mindful and contemplative practices to support their treatment and overall sense of wellbeing. Mindfulness is a practice in the Eastern tradition that encourages one to live in awareness of moment to moment experience with acceptance, curiosity and openness.  Through mindfulness, and contemplative practices one can learn to increase their capacity to bear difficult experience, tolerate and reduce stress and alleviate suffering.  Research has shown mindfulness based treatment to be effective in the treatment of stress, anxiety, depression and chronic pain as well as many other issues that effect our wellbeing.