My Philosophy to Helping:

Hello there, and welcome. I am a mom to two wonderful boys and recently moved to Sarasota, FL from Rhode Island. I started working in the Mental Health field in 1989 in a Community Mental Health Center in Rhode Island. My decision to work in this field was fueled by my observations of people’s experiences with mental health treatments. As long as I can remember, I knew that I was going to make a real difference in people’s lives. I knew that I had a strong compassion for people and that I would approach treatment in different, varied ways from what my mom experienced. I respect all individuals and I can see the good in everyone. I treat each person like they are worthwhile and I believe that we can all gain a higher quality of life. Sometimes everyone needs a little help to accomplish this and that is where I come in! I am constantly looking for new and effective treatments that can also be pleasant and enjoyable. I am a huge animal lover and I believe that animals enrich our lives and trigger our natural compassion for others. This is why I incorporate animals in my practice. There is nothing more uplifting than to be greeted by two wagging tails.

More Info About My Therapeutic Approach:

I believe that many therapeutic approaches should be offered to increase patient wellness. I offer animal-assisted therapy, interactive metronome, and neurofeedback. These approaches are quite effective, fun and are great for those who find it difficult to verbalize their feelings or those who find talk therapy challenging. Interactive metronome is very exciting for me as a result of this treatment, I have seen remarkable inprovement in multiple areas including, ADHD, Autistic Spectrum, Cognitive improvements including memory, focus and organization.

I specialize in treating: mood disorders, ADHD, anxiety, OCD, adjustment disorders, phobias, relationship issues, loss, caregiver stress, cognitive changes, all issues faced by the LGBTQ community, trauma, school issues, work issues, self esteem issues, autistic spectrum disorders, sensory processing issues, social skills, divorce and many more.

For convenience, I offer Video Conferencing Therapy and you don’t have to be a computer geek to use this approach. Video conferencing is a great way for therapy to be accessible and it allows patients to attend sessions while away from home, have hectic schedules or are home bound.

I accept many insurances and offer a sliding scale fee schedule.

Why Going to Therapy Does Not Mean You are Weak or Flawed:

Going to therapy is no different than going to a doctor for a physical problem. As a society, we tend to look at emotional well being as a skill or as a matter of will power without considering the physiological affects of stress. Stress can create profound physical changes including changes in body chemistry which can lead to physiological depression or anxiety. For many people going to therapy can improve quality of life, physical health and remove obstacles to personal growth. In therapy, I like to remind people that emotional well being has a behavioral and physical component and I am here acting as an investigator and a coach. Therapy is a team effort and anyone can use direction once in a while.

Divorce Mediation:

I am also certified in divorce mediation. My interest in this area evolved from my work with families post divorce and the desire to help families during divorce to decrease stress on all involved. My experience as a psychotherapist affords me the insight into issues that arise as a result of divorce and allows me to assist in the process of anticipating and minimizing such issues.