Education

I graduated from New York University with a B.A. in the humanities and an award for Outstanding Scholarship. After 12 years working in the corporate and non-profit worlds, I began graduate study at the Smith College School for Social Work—the oldest social work program in the country, known for its rigorous training of psychodynamically-oriented therapists. I received my MSW in Clinical Social Work at Smith, with a focus on the treatment of serious mental illness and child therapy, two branches of the field that helped me to understand the biological, developmental and unconscious aspects of psycho-emotional functioning. My two nine-month, full-time internships were with youths in Prince George's County followed by Outpatient Psychiatry at the George Washington University.

Work

After earning my degree, I worked in a public psychiatric hospital setting for adults with serious mental illness, and in community mental health with children, youth and families.  My work in both public settings was notable for creatively within the box of those systems, and sometimes expanding the box.  I offered individual therapy,  family therapy, case management, IEP advocacy, and wrap-around services. Public service was followed by individual and group therapy with children and youth in a private group practice that included work with ADD, developmental and spectrum issues, as well as neglect and abuse.  I have been in private practice working with adults for 28 years.

Ongoing Training

I have stayed up to date with changes in the field of mental health through ongoing continuing education, much of it at the Washington School of Psychiatry (WSP), where I have completed advanced programs in group psychotherapy, Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) and Clinical Supervision. In addition, I completed advanced core trainings with internationally known and published practitioners of ISTDP.  I have studied Somatic Experiencing and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP).  From the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute I have certificates in Level I Trauma Treatment and Level II Attachment Therapy, and I have facilitated SP trainings, offering in vivo consultation to students in training sessions. In addition, I am certified in EMDR for the treatment of trauma.  I have trained in Sand Tray Therapy, and have a certificate in Brief Therapy with an emphasis on Narrative approaches.

Teaching

At the Washington School I taught in the ISTDP program for five years, including a period chairing the faculty. Also at WSP, I have taught in and served on the faculty of the Core Concepts in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Program. I guest taught in other programs at the WSP, at the George Washington University Art Therapy Program, and other professional organizations in the DC area and abroad. I am certified as an ISTDP trainer by the International Experiential Dynamic Therapy Association. At WSP, I was often called upon to present and to teach and offer case conferences on psychodynamic  therapy within an anti-racism and intersectionality framework.

My professional presence and skills are enhanced by my study and practice of meditation and study of spiritual paths of compassion.