About Vita…

I am a licensed mental health counselor with two decades of experience helping adolescents and adults successfully overcome problems such as transitions and losses, trauma and/or substance abuse. I have extensive expertise in helping people courageously face obstacles and learn the cognitive and social emotional skills needed to successfully navigate life. Whether clients are struggling with trauma, substance abuse or other issues, my goal is to help them find a path to move beyond their worries, highlighting and encouraging them to see, develop and utilize their inner strengths.

I am the Retired Chair of the School Adjustment/Mental Health Counseling Program at Cambridge College, teaching others the skills needed to reach struggling adolescents and young adults. I share the knowledge I gained from working for several decades as a school adjustment counselor, and before that as a teacher of emotionally and behaviorally challenged children. Currently, I am Senior Instructor at Cambridge College, teaching graduate students in the School of Psychology and Counseling Program.

In addition to the theoretical underpinnings of my work, I believe that developing a strong, therapeutic relationship is the basis for any positive change to occur. My approach to working with clients is collaborative, empowering, client-centered and strengths based. I am passionate about helping clients recognize their full potential.

I have furthered my commitment to helping those with trauma histories, or addictions by receiving specialized training in Trauma Counseling as well as Masters Addictions Counseling Certification. I earned my Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Massachusetts, Boston; later completing post-Master’s Certificate Programs at Boston University School of Social Work in Alcoholism and Drug Abuse as well as Psychological Trauma. I achieved Diplomate Status from the American Mental Health Counselors Association as a Clinical Specialist in Trauma Counseling, as well as Substance Abuse and Co-Occurring Disorders Counseling.

I also studied and received Certificates in Beginning and Intermediate training in Clinical Hypnotherapy through the New England Society of Clinical Hypnosis (NESCH).  I have recently completed Levels 1 and 2 in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy through the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute and am currently an Assistant in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy training workshops.

I utilize a variety of evidence-based strategies in my work in addition to those already mentioned, I studied Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) through the Linehan Institute, including workshops with Marsha Linehan as well as other leaders in the field. I also utilize Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness, Guided Imagery, solution-focused approaches and insight-oriented techniques. I am a warm and committed advocate for my clients.