I am a co-author of Connections: A Relationship-Based Phase Model, 2014.
I have provided individual, family, couples, and group therapy to children and families in Chicago for a decade. Working with a diverse clientele, I a committed to exploring each client's unique needs and goals for therapy. Specialties include: phase of life changes, recovery from loss/trauma, existential questioning, resolving childhood issues, meeting children's developmental challenges, parenting concerns, Autism spectrum disorders, coping for children and adults with attention and focus challenges, children's behavioral and emotional challenges, relationships and communication, and in-depth psychodynamic work to examine patterns in feeling and thought that can hinder functioning.
I obtained a Bachelors of Arts from the University of Chicago in 1999, a Masters Degree in Child Development from the Erikson Institute in 2005, and a Masters in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago in 2006. Trained at the University of Chicago's Child and Adolescent Outpatient Psychiatry Department and Jewish Child Family Sevices' Virginia Frank Child Development Center, I engage individuals and families across the lifespan.
I have presented on social and emotional wellness of preschool-aged children to educate teachers and fellow mental health providers on the unique needs of young children and families. I provide Mental Health Consultation for Head Start programs in Chicago, providing Parent and Staff Development Workshops, Classroom Observations, and Individual Observations. I collaborate with public and private schools extensively in the Chicago and suburbs and support of Individualized Educational Plans (IEP's).
Through the learning collaborative in Chicago and through Jewish Child Family Services, I have received advanced training in Child-Parent Psychotherapy and has participated in group study of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Individual and Family Therapy, and Emotionally-Focused Therapy for couples. I serve as a Field Instructor for Masters level Social Work/Child Development graduate students.
In June of 2014, I presented on preschool social and emotional health at the World Infant Mental Health Association's annual conference in Edinburgh, Scotland.