About Me
I completed undergraduate studies in Communication at the University of New Haven in 1996.
After careers in Broadcasting and Education, I returned to school at the age of 39 and earned my Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of St. Joseph in 2014.
I have completed Externship and Core Skills training in Emotionally Focused Therapy, Level 1 Gottman training, basic training through the Financial Therapy Association and have completed EMDR certification. My professional interests are couples in disconnection stages, individuals struggling with financial self sabotage, and trauma recovery. I have been in private practice since 2016.
Personally, I enjoy days on the couch with a good book and a dog or two, junk store browsing with my spouse of more than 25 years, goofing off with our adult child, and catching up with friends and family.
My Approach
As a therapist, I view therapy as a partnership between equals. I believe that you are the expert in your own life, and my role is to provide guidance for self-discovery. In my practice, I utilize attachment theory, which suggests that we form our beliefs about trust and love at a very young age. My goal is to help clients move towards secure attachment and to respond less from anxious attachment wounds.
In my work with couples and families, I strive to facilitate clear and direct communication between individuals. I promote vulnerability and connection in order to create a unique experience during our sessions that can be recreated at home. I utilize Emotionally Focused Therapy to increase understanding of each person's underlying needs and assist them in being able to identify and communicate the ways they want to be loved. For more information on Emotionally Focused Therapy, please see this link.
During EMDR sessions for trauma, I aim for safety as we revisit difficult memories. The most important facet is to encourage each client to be aware of their body's response to trauma and reinforce the memory's place in your past rather than respond as if the trauma is happening today. On occasion, I will also utilize this modality to encourage positive future oriented thought for upcoming stressors and important events.
