I work with people in a nonjudgmental, empathic manner (we’re all human!) to help clarify and achieve what is desired in life, love and work. I want to foster connection in individual therapy and, as a Certified Imago Relationship Therapist, to foster that connection within couples.
I obtained an MSW from the Columbia University School of Social Work in 1972 and a PhD in Psychoanalysis from Heed University in 2000.
My specialties include: eating disorders, substance use problems, trauma, relationships—creating and sustaining them, and anxiety, depression, or other sense of dissatisfaction.
My career started over 40 years ago in the addictions field which helped me learn how and why people can become disconnected from themselves and their feelings as well as how substances can be coping mechanisms. I started out with a strong 12-Step orientation that over time expanded into a Harm Reduction approach. I have written extensively on these topics which are listed on my Publications page. I am a founding member of the Committee on Psychoanalysis and Addictions Treatment at Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Study Center.
Food is a troublesome issue for so many, whether it’s too much, too little, constant obsessing and otherwise being taken over by torturous thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I help people untangle the problem, one step at a time.
Wanting to know and understand in the deepest way what makes people tick, I attended the Center for Modern Psychoanalytic Studies and became certified in psychoanalysis in 1989. I was the recipient of the Miriam B. Spotnitz Award for outstanding achievement of a CMPS research project for my graduation thesis.
After the traumatic events of 9/11, I was moved to broaden my scope of treatment to be informed by techniques and theories that help undo the grip of trauma; Somatic Experiencing Therapy and EMDR.
As I have worked with individuals over the years, it has become evident to me the extent to which relationships, early and current, underlie the anxiety, depression or frustration that people often say brings them to therapy. In 2006 I trained in Imago Relationship Therapy and became a Certified Imago Relationship Therapist. Currently I am training in Relational Life Therapy, founded by Terry Real.
Virtually every couple and individual I have seen who have children struggle with parenting, and to that end, I provide assistance on how to resolve the fraught emotions that all of us carry in an effort to be a good-enough parent. I wrote about mothers' separation issues here and dealing with kids' anger here.
My zeal in the psychoanalytic field has led me to get involved in teaching and training therapists to become psychoanalysts. I am the former Director of Training, a training analyst, supervisor, and faculty member at the Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Study Center.
Most recently, I have become appalled by the way our humanity is being exponentially taken over by technology, in general, and AI, in particular. This, in spite of the admittedly amazing and exciting upgrades to our lives that technology offers. I am a member of the American Psychoanalytic Association’s Council on AI and Psychoanalysis to engage in activism to protect patients and the field. Perhaps paradoxically, this has led to my developing a sub-speciality in working with people in technology.
I have written extensively about the impact of technology here.
I regularly teach, write, and present on topics of interest to the therapy community. Here are my upcoming presentations.