I focus on adolescents, adults, and elders. I offer traditional psychotherapeutic services such as individual and family therapy. In addition, I also focus on psychotherapy in conjunction with focused breath and movement work for clients experiencing stress related to verbal, physical or sexual abuse, harsh environments, accidents, injuries or other traumas, as well as those struggling with negative body image.
A somewhat different approach to psychotherapy, in addition to the traditional conversational approach, has been prompted by my interest in recent neuropsychological research on the effects of focused breathing and movement on brain function.
Researchers who specialize in trauma victims, such as Bessel van der Kolk, MD, have found that movement in treating various types of trauma can be as effective as talk therapy and medication.
Trauma and stress affect the entire body, for example the immune system, gastrointestinal system, and the sense of being in one’s own skin. Moving and working with the breath promotes staying in the present and helps to reduce the effects of stress on the body.
Often individuals who feel isolated benefit greatly from movement with others (such as yoga and T’ai Chi Chih) assisting with body awareness and social interaction.
As a trained neuropsychologist, I also offer batteries of neuropsychological testing. These assessments can help determine the loss of mental abilities. The testing can assess how well the person is able to understand new information or how well s/he can explain himself. Assessments also help to determine how well the person is able to organize his/her thoughts and how closely a person is able to pay attention. This type of information might be useful in determining the nature of a mental disability and if a person is able to make important decisions on his/her own.
I am a licensed clinical psychologist with a post-doctoral certification in neuropsychology. I have 25 years experience in individual, group and family therapies as well as personality, cognitive and neuropsychological assessment in both outpatient and inpatient settings. I am a Fellow of the Maryland Psychological Association. I recently retired as Director of Psychological Services at Thomas B. Finan Center. In addition, I am a certified T’ai Chi Chih and Seijaku instructor, as well as a certified yoga teacher, having completed a 200-hour yoga teacher certification at White Lotus Foundation, Santa Barbara, CA.
I currently serve private pay clients and I am an in-network provider for Medicare and CareFirst, a Blue Cross/Blue Shield company. Out of network benefits may be available based on your individual insurance plan
