General Info

Practice Objectives My practice focuses on helping individuals, couples and families sort out difficult and challenging situations in their lives that can be very frustrating and leave them with a sense of helplessness and hopelessness. I believe that any and all of us can reach certain points in our lives where we will have difficulty coping. Life is constantly changing. The strategies and ways of managing issues in the past are not always appropriate or successful in the present or the future. I like to brainstorm with clients and help them help themselves to function more comfortably and successfully. I believe this energy is within the client, but may have been diminished by life circumstances and may need to be reviewed, reconsidered and changed. Educational History I received my Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Brown University, and my Master of Science Degree in School Psychology from the University of Rhode Island. I began practicing as a School Psychologist where I focused on developing practical, applied strategies to help students and their families. I received my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Vanderbilt University continuing my focus on the individual and the family. Practice Specialty Areas Over the years of postdoctoral private practice, I have developed a number of specialty areas: 1) The practice has a long history and focus on ADHD assessment and treatment. Assessment involves gathering background information from family and other resources such as schools and physicians. We develop a mutually agreeable assessment process, followed by a detailed written report reviewed with the client and his/her family. The final step is helping the client implement the recommended strategies. 2) The practice treats anxiety and depression which often accompany distress in life that result from unresolved losses and a related sense of helplessness and hopelessness. These issues can often benefit from sorting out and brainstorming with a trained professional. 3) The practice also focuses on helping people who have alcohol and other substance abuse issues. This practice has a specialty focus with DWI and MOP clients to help them prevent another such occurrence. I am also N.H. State Certified to treat alcohol and other substance abuse problems. 4) The practice also focuses on the treatment of cognitive and memory issues associated with head trauma from sports, auto accidents, a fall, or memory issues associated with possible dementia. In all cases, we use a systems approach whether a child is the focus of the treatment or a middle-aged or elderly person with cognitive challenges. The significant others are also part of the treatment process. 5) The practice treats children, adolescents and adults who encounter frustration and failure in educational settings. The assessment process usually involves psycho-educational and environmental assessment. We rule out other possible causes for these learning difficulties. A written report is then reviewed with the client and their significant others. The review includes treatment recommendations for follow-up in the educational setting. 6) The practice also treats clients who have chronic pain, where the client's physician feels that psychological support can be an important part of their overall improvement in functioning. 8) The practice treats behavioral and emotional issues dealing with obsessive compulsive disorder by working in conjunction with area psychiatrists and other medical resources. 9) The practice also works with diagnosing and treating patients with PTSD. We utilize EMDR and other desensitization strategies, particularly with clients experiencing violence. 10) Other Specialized Training: EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing CISM - Critical Incidence Stress Management Law Enforcement Pre-employment Screening Evaluation