Training:

Support for individuals, families and group counseling with children, adolescents and young adults.

I am a New York State Licensed Clinical Social Worker (License #085149-1) and Connecticut State Licensed Clinical Social Worker (License #10198). I received my Masters of Science in Social Work (MSSW) from the Columbia University School of Social Work. Leadership Certifications earned include: Therapeutic Crisis Intervention for Families (certified trainer), Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Structured Psychotherapy for Adolescents Responding to Chronic Stress (certified trainer) and SIFI certified supervisor. Extensive post-graduate training in the following interventions: Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Attachment skills building and Attachment repair, The Sanctuary Institute model of trauma informed care, Grief Counseling, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Expressive Arts Therapy, Sensory Therapy, Sand-tray Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, "Brain-mapping", Mindfulness Skills-building and Parent Coaching. My personal history is infused with using art in the process of growth and healing. I am the parent of 3 young adults and an English Bulldog.

Specialties:

Treatment areas of specialization range from trauma, complicated grief, anxiety and depression to managing eating disorders, OCD, specific phobias, social anxiety, self-harm and intrusive thoughts. Working for many years in a trauma-informed setting with children, adolescents, young adults and families has provided me with a strong foundation to address symptomatic behaviors of: impulse control, social skills development, emotional regulation and life skills mastery to avoid involvement with problem behaviors like substance abuse and self-harm.

Families as Partners

Working with adolescents and young adults in private sessions means working with a family. While confidentiality under HIPPA laws protect minors, parents are the experts on their own children and will be actively involved in the treatment process throughout. If a minor reveals life-threatening thoughts or actions in session, they will be advised that the confidentiality rule demands disclosure to their family. Parents will receive "coping toolboxes" of new strategies to implement, provide feedback and insight plus evaluate progress toward goals.

Sometimes it will make sense for parents to be enrolled in therapy for coaching instead of the children. After evaluating needs and setting goals we will determine how to reach the goals in the most impactful and quickest fashion.

C0-Parenting: For families with divorced parents, I offer a co-parenting "bootcamp". This is a time limited set of sessions designed to avoid conflict, increase constructive communication and re-focus on the needs of children. You and your ex-spouse may take this opportunity together (preferred and cheaper!) or separately.