Some basics
I grew up in Paramus, New Jersey which is known for its shopping malls. Many people from all over the New York metropolitan area come to Paramus to shop. I received my graduate degree in social work at New York University where I loved the frenetic pace of New York City.
I moved to Los Angeles in September 1995 to start my married life and continue pursuing my career and love of helping others. However, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that Southern California provides so much access to outdoor activities like being at the beach/ocean, skiing in the mountains, and hiking trails.
I love to read, watch movies and tv shows with my daughters, and go for a hike to enjoy the outdoors.
I’m a mom to two daughters, a teenager and a tween, who have provided me with so much insight and allowed me to understand what many parents had shared with me prior to having them myself – the immense joy and the challenges of parenting.
One of my daughters has had significant anxiety and she and I worked together as well as with a therapist to help her gain coping strategies to be more successful during times of stress and anxiety. This personal experience has allowed me to understand and empathize with the helplessness parents feel when their child is suffering. I have gained wisdom and patience through helping my daughter and it has improved both our relationship and the relationship I build with every adolescent and parent I see in my practice.
My work
I have worked as a psychotherapist for more than 25 years. During those years, I have worked with adolescents in a variety of settings – hospitals, day treatment facilities, universities, schools, and private practice.
My first job out of social work school was at Bellevue Medical Center in New York City with adolescents. The adolescents with whom I worked at Bellevue gave me an education in humor, creativity, and strength.
After moving to Los Angeles, I worked with adolescents in day treatment settings for several years.
I obtained counseling positions at both UCLA and USC working with students on their academic challenges and the stress that impacts their success.
I did take some time off to raise my daughters in their early years but never stopped providing guidance and encouragement to friends, family, and others.
I have been in private practice since April 2017.
It is fair to say that I have learned how to listen to adolescents, understand how to connect with them, and help them to gain confidence and the strategies to improve themselves and their situation. But I have also grasped the stress of parents have when raising adolescents and provided support, understanding, and tools to manage this important role.
I’ve been training my whole life for this
I grew up with a mother who taught children with learning disabilities and a father who always gave back to the community recognizing those less fortunate.
I learned early through volunteering at my mother’s school, volunteering at mental health helplines, supporting friends throughout high school, becoming a mom, and throughout my work in social work that providing another person with a patient and listening ear could provide support and understanding. It could be said that all that I have experienced, shared, and studied so far has been training me for the role I cherish that of psychotherapist.
