Twenty
years of clinical experience enables me to provide effective in-depth
psychotherapy for chronic problems such as depression, anxiety, early
traumas and substance abuse. I also offer short-term therapy to address
relationship issues, work conflicts and grief reactions. I work in an
engaged, interactive manner and believe that competency and compassion
are essential for healing. And, a little humor can help, too.
OVERVIEW
- 20 years of clinical experience
- Psychotherapy with adults, adolescents and children
- Couples counseling and family therapy
- Treatment of depression, anxiety, trauma and relationship concerns
- Consultations with professionals regarding career and workplace issues
- Staff seminars on mental health topics such as coping with stress and loss
- Private pay only please, no insurance accepted
Mood
and Anxiety Disorders
Treatment of individuals experiencing depression and anxiety, including reactive depressions to disturbing life events, as well as anxiety or panic attacks associated with specific situations. I have provided therapy in a wide variety of settings such as psychiatric outpatient units, medical centers, family guidance clinics and in private practice.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Therapy for adult and child survivors of physical and sexual abuse, as well as for victims of crime. Treated survivors of political torture from around the world, conducted therapy group for traumatized Bosnian women and investigated human rights abuses of Tibetan women and children for a U.N. committee. This international work enables me to understand and treat people from diverse racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds, as well as the adult children of immigrant parents.
Psychological Impact of Physical Illness
Treatment of individuals confronted with acute, chronic or life-threatening illnesses such as cardiac problems, Alzheimer's disease or cancer. My doctoral research was on the psychological impact of the recurrence of cancer and I was a founding member of the Shanti Project that counsels the dying and assists AIDS patients.
Couples Counseling and Family Therapy
Trained as a Marriage and Family Therapist, I assist couples with improving communication skills, handling conflicts and coping with stresses related to divorce or blended families. I also counsel parents, adolescents and children coping with depression, anxiety, trauma, illness or parental loss.
Gay and Lesbian Issues
Experience in providing psychotherapy for individuals of diverse sexual orientations, gay and lesbian relationships, HIV and AIDS diagnoses, as well as grief due to the loss of a partner.
Gerontology
Over 20 years experience counseling older adults and their families regarding losses associated with aging. Special expertise in relocation trauma, which can occur when elders are moved without adequate preparation from their home or from one convalescent hospital to another. I have served as a consultant to the American Association of Retired Persons (A.A.R.P.) and to other advocacy organizations, nursing home corporations and law firms representing the elderly.
Treatment of individuals experiencing depression and anxiety, including reactive depressions to disturbing life events, as well as anxiety or panic attacks associated with specific situations. I have provided therapy in a wide variety of settings such as psychiatric outpatient units, medical centers, family guidance clinics and in private practice.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Therapy for adult and child survivors of physical and sexual abuse, as well as for victims of crime. Treated survivors of political torture from around the world, conducted therapy group for traumatized Bosnian women and investigated human rights abuses of Tibetan women and children for a U.N. committee. This international work enables me to understand and treat people from diverse racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds, as well as the adult children of immigrant parents.
Psychological Impact of Physical Illness
Treatment of individuals confronted with acute, chronic or life-threatening illnesses such as cardiac problems, Alzheimer's disease or cancer. My doctoral research was on the psychological impact of the recurrence of cancer and I was a founding member of the Shanti Project that counsels the dying and assists AIDS patients.
Couples Counseling and Family Therapy
Trained as a Marriage and Family Therapist, I assist couples with improving communication skills, handling conflicts and coping with stresses related to divorce or blended families. I also counsel parents, adolescents and children coping with depression, anxiety, trauma, illness or parental loss.
Gay and Lesbian Issues
Experience in providing psychotherapy for individuals of diverse sexual orientations, gay and lesbian relationships, HIV and AIDS diagnoses, as well as grief due to the loss of a partner.
Gerontology
Over 20 years experience counseling older adults and their families regarding losses associated with aging. Special expertise in relocation trauma, which can occur when elders are moved without adequate preparation from their home or from one convalescent hospital to another. I have served as a consultant to the American Association of Retired Persons (A.A.R.P.) and to other advocacy organizations, nursing home corporations and law firms representing the elderly.
- Private
Practice :
Treatment of adults, adolescents and children since 1980. - Survivors
International :
Psychological treatment of torture survivors from around the world. - Oncology
Unit, Children's Hospital of Northern California, Oakland:
Psychotherapy with children undergoing cancer treatment including consultations with their family members and staff. - Psychiatric
Services Clinic, Children's Hospital of San Francisco:
Psychological testing, school consultations, therapy with children and adults. - Mount
Zion Hospital, Crises Services of San Francisco:
Diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric emergency cases. - Family
Guidance Services, Children's Hospital of Northern California, Oakland:
Family therapy, play therapy, group therapy and individual psychotherapy with children regarding traumatic life events and medical procedures. - Berkeley
Mental Health Department:
Conducted therapy groups for older adults and provided individual therapy for elderly patients dealing with loss and grief reactions. - Shanti
Project:
Founding member and counselor providing support and therapy for terminally ill people and their families.
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LECTURES, CONSULTING AND TRAINING SEMINARS
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Tibet
Justice Center, Psychologist Consultant, 1998-1999
Psychologist Consultant with fact-finding team that investigated women's rights in Tibet. In 1998, traveled to Dharamsala, Northern India, to interview recently arrived female refugees who experienced human rights abuses such as imprisonment, torture, coerced abortions and sterilizations. Analyzed data and presented a report to the United Nations committee reviewing compliance of governments that signed the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. Psychologist Consultant for research mission to investigate conditions of children living in Tibet. In 1999, interviewed 58 youngsters who had fled Tibet and were now living in the Tibetan Children's Village in Dhramsala. Prepared case studies for report to the United Nations committee on the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Tibet Child Nutrition and Collaborative Health Project October 2000, through the humanitarian relief organization, Airline Ambassadors, helped secure and hand deliver over a ton of vitamins and medications for health clinics in and around Lhasa, Tibet under the auspices of the Tibet Child Nutrition and Collaborative Health Project. International Rescue Committee, Group Therapist, 1998 Conducted a year long group therapy project in San Francisco for traumatized Muslim women, brought to the United States from Bosnia, as refugees by the International Rescue Committee. The women experienced symptoms of post-traumatic stress caused by assaults and rapes, the death and disappearance of loved ones, and multiple traumas associated with loss of home and livelihood, as well as change of language and culture. Survivors International , Executive Director, 1994-1996 Opened and directed Survivors International, the first treatment center in San Francisco for survivors of torture from around the world. The organization provided psychological and medical assistance to over 600 torture survivors from 46 countries. Funding came from the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture, The San Francisco Foundation and from other grants and donations. The Committee of Responsibility to Save War Injured Vietnamese Children, Philadelphia Chapter Director, 1970-1971 Coordinated medical and social care for Vietnamese children who were brought to the U.S. for treatment of napalm burns, injuries from explosives and amputations from artillery fire. Secured foster homes for children undergoing rehabilitation. Maryknoll, Media Consultant, South Korea, 1968 Worked with the Mass Communications Committee of South Korea to produce radio programs on health care for rural communities. Developed strategies with non-governmental organizations to address humanitarian needs in Seoul, Korea. |
- Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, California School of Professional Psychology, Berkeley
- M.A., Psychology, Lone Mountain College, San Francisco
- B.A., Literature, Theater and Cinema, New York University
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- American Psychological Association
- San Francisco Psychological Association
- Alameda County Psychological Association
