MY PRACTICE
I have had a private psychotherapy practice for almost 20 years. My clients include people dealing with depression, anxiety, abuse issues, relationship conflicts, grief and loss, adult asperger's, and couples recovering from an affair. I may utilize solution-focused therapy to provide initial relief of symptoms but I always encourage my clients to look for and explore the source of their difficulties so that life-long resolutions can be gained. I am trained in psychodynamic therapy but adjust treatment according to the individual's needs.
When working with children and adolescents, I almost always include parents in the therapy. Experience has taught me that such an approach yields the best results. When appropriate, I may request to speak with teachers or other caregivers.
I have extensive experience in the areas of sexual abuse recovery, parent/child problems and couples counseling. In addition, I am trained to provide testing for child and adult ADHD, and am certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. I also have a particular interest in pre-marital counseling and am trained in the Prepare-Enrich program.
I have authored a curriculum on sexual abuse prevention and have facilitated this training in the St. Louis community.
EDUCATION
I received my B.J. and M.Ed in counseling from the University of Missouri-Columbia. My post-graduate training includes the completion of a two-year program in Advanced Psychodynamic Psychotherapy from the St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute. I am licensed as a clinical social worker.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Before starting a private practice, I worked at Lutheran Family and Children's Services first as a family life educator and then as a psychotherapist.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
I am Past-President of the Advanced Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Alumni Association, a member of Psychotherapy St. Louis, and a past Care and Counseling Board Member.
