I am a licensed clinical psychologist with over 20 years of specialized training and experience working with young adults and adults. I am happy to speak with you by phone to assess whether my expertise is a good fit with your needs. I offer psychological treatment for:
- Major Depressive Disorder
- - Low self esteem
- - Self-criticism
- - Perseverative / ruminative / negative thinking
- Anxiety
- - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- - Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- - Panic Disorder with or without agoraphobia
- - Specific Phobia (e.g., flying, driving)
- Stress management
- Life transitions
- Insight and self-exploration*
- *please see my treatment philosophy
Training and Experience
I earned my B.A. in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, where I was trained by Dr. Martin Seligman who is considered the father of Positive Psychology and an expert on optimism, happiness and depression.
I completed my Ph.D. at UCLA, which is consistently ranked as the top clinical psychology program in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
I have specialized training in evidence-based treatment approaches for anxiety disorders and depression. I have also received training in insight-oriented and interpersonal therapies. I have worked in a variety of treatment settings, including university counseling centers, general psychological clinics, specialized anxiety disorders treatment clinics, and intensive partial hospitalization programs for OCD. I have treated patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
Treatment Philosophy
My broad goal in treatment is to help my clients live their life with greater insight. For some, that insight may be recognizing a negative way of thinking about themselves or others and working to change it. For others, it is recognizing how life transitions (getting married, becoming a parent) have created changed roles and new dynamics in their relationships and making appropriate adjustments. For yet others, insight may involve seeing the root of repetitive patterns in their interpersonal relationships and learning new ways of interacting. My treatment approach is informed by cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal, and psychodynamic perspectives. I enjoy working with clients to find the approach that is most helpful to them.
Aside from therapy for specific disorders and difficulties, I also see the value in therapy for helping people be more cognizant and thoughtful about how they live their lives. All too often, people are living hectic, stressful, and rushed lives. I see therapy as a space and time to pause and reflect. Gaining insight into one’s choices, motivations, and behavioral patterns allows us to be more positive and proactive about our lives.
Scientist and Practitioner
I was trained in the scientist-practitioner tradition. As a college professor, my research on stress, coping, and depression informs my clinical work. I am a member of the American Psychological Association, Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, and Philadelphia Behavioral Therapy Association.
I have more than 70 publications and conference presentations, some appearing in premier journals such as Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology and Journal of Abnormal Psychology. I also study culture’s impact on support seeking practices and have published on this topic in Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology. I served as editor of a special topics volume on Stress Generation for the International Journal of Cognitive Therapy and have delivered talks on multicultural counseling, stress and coping, and depression.
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