Personal Statement: My
work is devoted to helping people create happy couples, happy
families, and happy lives. I am a Marriage and Family Therapist and
Professional Counselor serving clients in the Maryland suburbs of
Annapolis - Baltimore - Washington, DC. I have more than 17 years of
experience providing counseling and psychotherapy services for
families, couples, adults, and adolescents.
Some of the areas I specialize in
are: --couples and family issues --depression, including postpartum
depression --stress and coping --problem drinking, recovery, and
codependence --sexual problems --child and adolescent problems
--dissatisfaction with life --career and job concerns --spiritual
and religious concerns.
Couples Counseling: Couples today
expect their relationship to meet all of their emotional, sexual,
financial, social, and spiritual needs. It's no wonder that many
people are unhappy in their relationship – with expectations like
these, people are bound to be disappointed. Yet, when both partners
are actively engaged in a process of soul-searching and intimacy,
with a commitment to keep working on problems until they are
resolved, couples relationships can be among the most deeply
satisfying of all human relationships, and can provide an important
buffer from the stresses and strains of the outside world.
When first meeting with a couple, I
ask each partner to outline the most important irritations and
disappointments that are getting in the way of intimacy and
enjoyment of the other. I also ask each to give a picture of the
positive aspects of the relationship -- those things that seem to
work without much effort on either partner's part. Couples
frequently are surprised by how many parts of their relationship are
working well. With all of this information in mind, I present the
partners with an outline of the approach or approaches that I
believe could be of benefit to them, and together we choose a course
of action.
I have extensive training and
experience in many approaches to couples counseling and conducted
research on it while in graduate school at the University of
Maryland. I have a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy
from the University of Maryland, and have taken many post-Master's
classes to keep up-to-date with new treatments in the profession. I
also am a Clinical Member of the American Association of Marriage
and Family Therapy, an indication of advanced training and
experience in that field. I licensed in Maryland, District of
Columbia, and Virginia. Many insurance companies reimburse for my
services.
Counseling and Coaching for
Individuals: I am a Certified Authentic Happiness Coach having
completed training with Martin Seligman, Ph.D., past president of
the American Psychological Association and Professor of Psychology
at the University of Pennsylvania. Authentic Happiness Coaching
teaches people the skills they need for increasing well-being and
satisfaction with life. It has been found in scientific studies to
be an effective approach.
I have office hours during the day
and evenings. I offer a free 15 minute phone consultation to answer
your questions and discuss your concerns. I invite you to explore my
web site at CaringCouples.com,
and sign up for my free e-newsletter on couples, family, and mental
health topics.
Life should feel great. If it
doesn't, then perhaps counseling can help. Feel free to contact me
at 301.404.8433 or E-Mail to arrange a consultation.
Services
Offered: Couples, individual, and family counseling; Life
and career coaching; Supervision for therapists; evening hours.
Specialties: Couples
and family issues; Depression, including postpartum depression;
Stress and coping; Problem drinking, recovery, and codependence;
Sexual problems; Child and adolescent problems; Dissatisfaction with
life; Career and job concerns; Spiritual and religious concerns.
Languages: English
Client profile: M/F; 12 and older
Payments/Conditions: Check or cash, sometimes insurance
reimbursable.
Credentials/Training:
M.S., Marriage & Family
Therapy, University of Maryland, 1991 Certified Graduate, Authentic
Happiness Coaching, 2003
License Number: MD#
LC1135
Listed: 7-22-04
