Many of the clients I work are struggling with pain from early life experiences,  failed relationships or are struggling to keep up with the pressures of balancing responsibilities in today’s fast paced world. I help my clients look at their presenting issues and collaborate with them as to how we can optimistically work our way to a better future. I have extensive trauma training to help with painful life experiences and use Narrative and Solution Focused interventions to help my clients use the positives in their lives and not dwell on the negatives. I believe that learning from the past is important but living in the past is a mistake as we need to resolve issues and plan for a more satisfying future.

Within the larger context of family therapy, my practice is devoted to working with children and adolescents who have been labeled as difficult, oppositional and at times explosive. Additionally, I work with this population, as well as adults, around traumatic, life threatening and life changing experiences. Often times behaviors in children and teens can be the result of early life experiences that their family may or may not even be aware of. Sometimes these experiences leave children/teens frustrated, ashamed, unable to communicate their feelings. They then act out on these emotions as an way to let people know something is wrong. Unfortunately some of these actions are not always the most appropriate, further isolating the child/teen, exacerbating the problem. Now the issue becomes the acting out, not the original problem. 

My goal in working with clients is getting to that original problem, the heart of the matter, and working from there. My experiences working in the US and Northern Ireland have convinced me that if this "heart of the matter" work isn't done, the client will not get better. As part of this work I also consult to schools, other mental health professionals, state agencies and day care centers around the effect traumatic events can have on the functioning of anyone and that children and teens are not immune to that. Another facet of my practice involves working with clients of all ages around struggles with same sex attractions, sexual orientation, sexual addictions and lifestyle choices. There is much confusion on these issues and I offer professional objectivity as these issues effect many.

Finally, my practice involves work as a Guardian ad Litem for the Probate and Family Court. I evaluate issues involving domestic relations, custody, visitation and adoption. 

As an AAMFT approved supervisor I also provide supervision for other professionals working towards national licensure. Regardless of my area of specialization all my work is done in a culturally sensitive way. I have been fortunate to not only work with a great variety of people and cultures but I have been more fortunate to have learned a great deal from my clients.

Services Offered:  Individual, Couples, Family Therapy, EMDR, Reiki

Specialties:  Adolescents, Trauma, Families, Same Sex Attractions, Parenting, Self Esteem/Growth, Sexual Addictions, Depression, Substance Abuse

Languages: English

Client profile:  M/F; 12-60

Payments/Conditions: Call my office for specific information regarding payment/conditions.

Credentials/Training:   Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Clinical Member of the AAMFT, AAMFT Approved Supervisor, Board of Directors of MAMFT, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Member of MaMHCA, Certified EMDR Therapist, Member of EMDRIA, Certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies, CISM Advanced Studies (both from The Trauma Center in Boston,MA), Shamballa Reiki Level 4 Master Teacher

License: LMFT #1169, LMHC #4524


Listed: 3-17-04