I have been in practice as a clinical psychologist for 30 years. I am trained in psychodynamic therapy which has as its focus an in-depth exploration of primary relationships as a means for understanding one’s current day functioning, and one’s self. In recent years, I have found the thinking of contemporary psychoanalysis (predominantly relational therapy) to be a guiding principle in my work.
Relational therapy presumes that people seek relationship in order to know themselves. Most of us need to be seen through the eyes of another in order to see ourselves. Like the parent of an infant in a good enough parenting situation, the therapist serves as a mirror in which the patient can be fully seen and heard. And, the relationship with the therapist becomes a laboratory for understanding the patient’s early experiences as they have contributed to both roadblocks and strengths. In the current, living therapeutic relationship, both patient and therapist engage in an active journey of inquiry and reflection. It is within the therapeutic relationship that a cohesive self emerges.
I have continued to explore attachment and separation in my work with adults in therapy, and with parents at all stages of the parenting life cycle. In addition to seeing individual adults, my clinical practice includes children and adolescents and young adults. I continue to use my background as a child development specialist when I work with this population. That is, I include parents in a process of psycho-education and introspection surrounding attachment and separation from their children.
Ph.D. from Wright Institute – 1982
Licensed – 1985
AFFILIATIONS:
American Psychological Association
California Psychological Association
Los Angeles County Psychological Association
Association of Child Development Specialists
