Areas of expertise:
Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis with Adults
As a therapist, I provide a safe and supportive space for individuals seeking to explore personal challenges and growth. My work addresses a variety of issues, including career anxiety, work-related stress, and finding a healthy work-life balance. I specialize in helping those experiencing inhibiting anxiety, intimacy challenges, and complex relationship dynamics, including family conflicts. Additionally, I support individuals struggling with depression, grief, loss, and those seeking to unlock their full potential and creativity.
Psychotherapy and Play Therapy with Children and Adolescents
Working with children and adolescents requires a deep understanding of their unique developmental needs and challenges. My approach is integrative, combining various therapeutic techniques such as insight-oriented therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), family systems, play therapy, yoga, mindfulness, and breathwork. These methods allow me to tailor sessions to the specific needs of each young person.
My focus is on helping children and adolescents move forward in their emotional and psychological development. By offering them tools and support to foster emotional growth, I aim to help them become more engaged with relationships, the world around them, and themselves. Play therapy, in particular, serves as a powerful tool for children to express emotions they may not yet have the words for, enabling healing in a way that feels natural and non-threatening.
Parent Guidance and Consultation
Parenting is one of the most demanding and fulfilling roles in life, often filled with uncertainty. Parent guidance is designed to help you navigate the challenges and joys of raising children with more confidence and understanding.
In our sessions, we will explore effective strategies to support your child's development and well-being. This includes addressing any parenting challenges you may face, learning to communicate more effectively with your child, and identifying healthy approaches to managing difficult behaviors or emotional struggles.
Together, we will create a supportive framework to enhance your ability to respond to your child's needs while prioritizing your own well-being. My aim is to help you build a more harmonious family dynamic, equipping you with the skills and tools to navigate the ups and downs of parenthood with greater ease.
School-Based Observations
The school environment is one of the first places where signs of academic, emotional, or social struggles can emerge. Observing your child in this setting allows for a more nuanced and multidimensional understanding of who they are. Areas of observation include emotional functioning, peer relationships, social skills, mood and behavior, as well as how they manage anxiety and stress. School-based observations also foster a collaborative approach with teachers, counselors, and parents.
Education:
BA in English Literature, University of Michigan, 1980
PhD in Clinical Psychology, Long Island University, 1993
Certificate in Psychoanalysis, William Alanson White Institute of Psychiatry, Psychoanalysis and Psychology, 2001
Professional Affiliations:
Faculty, Center for Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis of New Jersey
Supervisor of Psychotherapy, William Alanson White Institute of Psychiatry, Psychoanalysis and Psychology
Member: New Jersey Psychological Association
Montclair Child Study Group