As a licensed psychologist in private practice for more than 25 years, I have been able to offer a wide range of help to over 1000 clients in their efforts to make their professional and personal lives more satisfying, productive, and healthier. I have advanced training and experience in working with adults as well as couples and families. My training background is in the area of cognitive-behavioral theory and therapy, which serves as a guide for clients to examine how problematic thoughts, emotions, and behavioral patterns interact and interfere with one's life. While it is true that expressing one's feelings can be helpful, in itself this does not necessarily lead to improvement. In addition, developing insight into the origins of one's problems, although helpful, doesn't lead to significant, practical improvement. Research studies do show that clients improve more rapidly and for longer periods of time if they consistently and systematically apply targeted therapeutic strategies in their daily lives. Some of the more common therapeutic strategies I incorporate into treatment include strategies to learn to: ---respond to negative, self-defeating thoughts with alternative, more positive and practical ideas; ---breakdown overwhelming problems into manageable ones, prioritizing them, and learning to make decisions about what to do first; ---conquer fear by actually doing things you've been afraid of trying; ---assert yourself in a variety of professional and personal situations (learning to say no appropriately; learning to ask effectively for what you want); ---improve one's social effectiveness (talking in front of groups of people); ---manage skills of intimacy that allow trust as well as boundary setting to be valued and established. Specific treatment problem areas include: Anxiety & Panic Disorders Assertiveness Deficits Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD) Bipolar or Manic Depression Depression Grief and Loss Issues Marital or Relationship problems Insomnia Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Parenting difficulties Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Schizophrenia Self-Esteem Issues Clinical services are available by appointment to adults 18 years or older. I am on most insurance panels for mental health including: Aetna; Blue Cross/Blue Shield; Cigna; Great-West; Magellan; Managed Health Network; Medicare; Pacificare PPO; Private Health Care Systems; United Behavioral Health.

Treatment is well organized to focus on the particular issues decided on with client and therapist. In this way the symptoms of those problems are relieved early and anything that comes up additionally can be treated to relieve peripheral problems to prevent recurrences. EMDR is a huge benefit in changing behaviors that impede better functioning and a better life. Talk therapy and hypnotherapy are also utilized in the same way and focused on the relevant issues. This can be as expansive or focused as the client would like it as to be inclusive of the problem or as the holistic approach of the personality.

Today you are one step closer to a new you where you feel empowered and on a positive path to growth and well-being. As a Marriage and Family Therapist, my goal is to help you uncover your true potential and lead a life that is worth celebrating. While we can't change difficult situations of the past, we can work together to better understand and resolve challenges in your life. By applying complementary therapy approaches and techniques, we will unearth long-standing behavior patterns or negative perceptions that may be holding you back from experiencing a more fulfilling and meaningful life. If you're looking for extra support and guidance through a challenging situation or you're just ready to move in a new direction in your life, I look forward to working with you to achieve your goals. Please call or email me for an individual, couples, or family therapy consultation today.

The Center for Assessment, Inc. offers a variety of services, including: Individual Therapy Family Counseling Group Therapy Child Therapy Adolescent Therapy Couples Counseling Parenting Observations Trauma Work Assessments Types of Evaluations Offered: Delinquency Risk Assessment Sentencing Recommendations Comprehensive IQ Testing Termination of Parental Rights Psychological Diagnosis Treatment Recommendations Sex Offender Risk Assessment Custody and Parenting Time ADHD Substance Abuse Assessment Neurocognitive Screening Academic Achievement Learning Disabilities Personality Disorders The Process of Psychological Testing: Psychological testing can provide valuable information about the way a person thinks, learns and copes. Testing allows for a better understanding of an individual’s intellectual, behavioral and emotional development. The information generated through an evaluation is designed to help better understand individual strengths and weaknesses and to identify how to best address problems that individuals might be having. Psychological testing may assist in risk assessment determinations, treatment recommendations, and determinations with regard to parenting time and custody. The process of psychological testing consists of information gathering from multiple sources. The psychologist will interview the individual and potentially members of their family to gain information about developmental history and current concerns. Previous evaluations and assessments are reviewed and other treatment providers may be consulted. With proper consent, information may be collected from schools, law enforcement agencies and any other relevant sources of information to gain a full and accurate clinical picture. In addition, clinical testing and behavioral observations will occur. Tests may include assessments to determine intellectual functioning (I.Q.), academic achievement, memory, attention, executive functioning, personality testing, risk level and emotional functioning. The tests will be selected to answer the specific questions identified by the individual and the psychologist.