Therapy is about you. But because any person considering therapy needs some information to help them determine whether a clinician has the potential to be the right fit for them, here are some details about me.
I completed my degree requirements for my doctorate in clinical psychology from Forest Institute of Professional Psychology in 1993, and graduated summa cum laude in 1994. The degree I earned, a Psy.D. (pronounced "sigh-DEE"), means "Doctor of Psychology." In addition to extensive coursework, completion of this degree required several years' clinical experience as a pre-doctoral student under the supervision of licensed psychologists, beginning in the late 1980s. Then I completed a predoctoral year of full-time internship, followed by more than a year of postdoctoral supervised experience following graduation. Over the course of my career I have provided multiple services across multiple settings, including but not limited to: outpatient private practice, inpatient psychiatric hospital services, consultation within general hospitals, consultation to a mental health center and multiple social service agencies, assessment within a diagnostic and evaluation center, nursing home therapy and consultation, and inpatient group therapy for a seniors' unit. My Tennessee license to practice independently as a clinical psychologist/health service provider was granted in 1995, and I am currently licensed in two other states: Colorado and Minnesota. I am also credentialed by the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology, and currently hold a PsyPact e.passport (Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology) allowing me to work across state lines via telehealth in other PsyPact states.
I am additionally trained in EMDR, Somatic Experiencing (and am a practicing SEP), and Hypnotherapy. Currently I am a member of EMDRIA, the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, and the Tennessee Psychological Association.
As a clinical psychologist, my work is focused primarily on the provision of therapy services, diagnostic assessment within a therapy context, and consultation. I do not prescribe medication. Currently, I work in my own private practice, where I provide private and confidential counseling support services to adult individuals.
Many of the people I help are facing mid-life and end-of-relationship transitions. I also engage in therapy for people seeking relief from anxiety, depression, and trauma history. I work with people who wish to increase their social confidence and personal efficacy in reaching their life goals. Grief, end-of-life planning, and caregiver stress are also important areas of service to me.