General Info

Education: Fairleigh Dickinson University Phone: (732) 982-2888 Email: info@portraithealthcenters.com Office Location: Plainsboro, NJ Specialties: Individual therapy for pre teens, adolescents and adults diagnosed with Mood Disorders, Anxiety, or Autism Spectrum Disorders; Family therapy related to the “identified client.” Clinically, I look at my experience as having a number of “lives.” During my first clinical life, (which started after I completed my undergraduate degree in 1983), I had the opportunity to participate in a ground breaking program combining in-home treatment with behavior management training. In dual therapist teams, we worked with families/caregivers of children with developmental disabilities, who also struggled with behavioral challenges in their “homes”, providing them with individualized assessments and intervention change programs. It was during that experience, when I first learned about the importance of therapeutic, child advocacy. Many times, it became a crucial part of our work with families and other systems. During my second clinical life, I provided individual and group therapy for neglected/abused teenagers who were living in foster/group homes. I had several responsibilities-nonetheless- the one I valued the most was advocating for my clients’ rights for quality care. My third clinical life involved providing therapy to a wide range of clients in a community based practice. Due to a lack of available quality mental health services in the catchment area, I found myself once again being an advocate for my clients-assisting them with effectively communicating and connecting with appropriate service agents while providing therapeutic care.