About Me

I am a New York State Licensed Clinical Social Worker, with a Masters Degree in Social Work from Fordham University. I have been in private practice in Manhattan since 2004 and prior to that I was a postpartum doula for over seven years.

One of my strengths as a psychotherapist is that since this is my second career, I have a much broader range of life experience to offer in the therapeutic process, making me uniquely qualified to work with clients struggling with a wide range of issues.

​My orientation is psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral and both practices enable me to provide a safe and secure environment that fosters self awareness and the motivation to make a change.

I help clients who are at a crossroad in their lives and don’t know which way to turn. By combining a client’s self knowledge and my expertise, we can open up new paths that will foster the courage and ability to move forward in life.

What is psychodynamic therapy?
Psychodynamic therapy is a deep and sensitive exploration of problems and issues affecting one’s life. The focus is on understanding your unique history of thoughts, relationships and behavior patterns so that we can gain insight into how you think and make choices in life. The psychodynamic therapeutic process reveals unconscious relationship dilemmas that have the potential to be resolved in a safe environment. Uncovering the origins of behaviors and emotions leads to an ability to make more conscious rather than reactive choices.

What is cognitive behavioral therapy?
Cognitive Behavioral therapy is more concrete approach to making changes in one’s life. The focus is on uncovering automatic thoughts that lead to specific behaviors. By becoming aware of those thoughts, insight is gained as to how and why choices are made in life. Some techniques include relaxation exercises, mindfulness homework, positive thinking, self-talk practices and journaling which all help to positively retrain automatic reactions and thoughts.

In addition to my private practice I am the Director of Social Services for The Jazz Foundation of America, a not for profit organization that assists elderly jazz and blues musicians in crisis.

Affiliations
I am a member of
National Association of Social Workers
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
Mom to Moms Advisors
American Society for Reproductive Medicine
New York State Society for Clinical Social Workers