I can provide useful tools in managing anxiety attacks with techniques such as thought stopping, guided imagery, identification of triggers, and breathing exercises.  Anxiety can be better managed through in vivo exposure, exploration of alternative perspectives, and finding ways to make new surroundings more familiar and accessible. The goal is to help you identify the symptoms of a panic attack before it occurs so you can feel more in control of difficult or uncomfortable feelings and situations.

Whenever working with couples or working with individuals in a relationship, there are often two very different versions of “normal" which can result in increased feelings of frustration and conflict when you don’t feel understood.  Additionally, as children enter key developmental milestones, especially during adolescence, the family dynamic can drastically change.  I strive to help you learn more effective communication skills by recognizing alliances, coalitions and triangulation.

We all feel depressed at times.  My goal is to help keep feelings of depression in proportion and help you to still find enjoyment and pleasure in your life again.  I help to identify the sources of sadness, trauma and pain.  I seek to help you fill in your day with new routines and to begin to eliminate the harmful scripts that you may continue to play out.  I strongly encourage daily interaction with the outside world and work to collaboratively develop a customized routine and schedule.

Psychological Evaluations

Life transitions are inevitable.  One of my areas of specialty is to help cope with life transitions ranging from the birth of a child, transitioning to high school or college, becoming an empty nester, feeling like your plate is too full, divorce, loss of a job, retirement and death of a loved one. The more unexpected the life transition, the more difficult it can be to manage it alone. Often there is a desire to revert back to what was comfortable yet may no longer be useful.  I can help you navigate through the unexpected and develop organizational skills and prioritization of resources.

I have vast experience conducting over 50 psychological evaluations for 6 different countries (Korea, Philippines, Thailand, El Salvador, Taiwan and Colombia) for couples adopting internationally.  Couples seem to be more at ease knowing they are working with someone that is an adult adoptee, adoptive parent, and adoption specialist resulting in my having numerous and unique adoption perspectives.  I conduct both the psychological testing and clinical interview and provide complete, thorough, and professional final reports required by your placement agencies. I always take time to address unique questions and concerns that may arise during the adoption process.

I have an extensive background as an adoption specialist, working with adoptees, adoptive parents, and birth parents.  I address significant adoption issues of loss, infertility, attachment, adjustment, and unrealistic expectations.  I have done in depth research on attitudes toward interracial adoption and factors that can lead to unsuccessful adoptive placements.  I try to reach families when the are struggling to help identify sources of conflict, damaging patterns, and focus on untapped areas of strength and resilience.