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Psychotherapy, Social
Skills-Training, Workshops & Seminars
for individuals, couples, families &
businesses
Welcome to my
private practice website. On this site you will find information about myself, my practice and the services I provide, as
well as articles and links to topics of interest on the internet.
Background & Professional Training . . .
About me . . .
I am a Licensed Clinical
Psychologist practicing in the Seattle Metropolitan area. My work
has been featured in the Seattle Times, the King County
Journal, Psychotherapy Finances, and Cosmopolitan Magazine, as
well as on Northwest Afternoon, Tellin' JoEllen and Evening
Magazine. But perhaps my favorite interview is one I recently did on
"shyness" for Weekly Reader's Current Health 1 Magazine,
bringing back fond memories of my own time spent with the Weekly
Reader as a child.
As far as my training and background, I hold a Doctoral Degree
in Clinical-Community Psychology from the
University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from
the University of Washington. I recently completed a Certificate in E-Learning
Development & Design from the University of Washington, as well as a
Certificate in Brain Research In Education, also from the University of
Washington.
Over the course of my twenty-plus years in the
mental health field, I have worked in hospitals, youth service bureaus,
community mental health centers, colleges and universities and one pre-trail
diversionary counseling agency. In 1984, I ventured into private practice in
Seattle--working with individuals, couples and families, as well as dabbling
in family systems research. In the spring of 1999, after fourteen years in
Seattle, I moved my practice across the water (locals will know what I mean)
to its present location in Bellevue, Washington.
While I treasure my
academic training and experience, I am particularly grateful to my clients
who, over the course of my education, taught me much of what I know about
what does
and doesn't work in therapy.
Theoretical Orientation . . .
I can best describe myself as a Cognitive-Behavioral, Family Systems
therapist whose work is based on a Competency Model. Now let me
explain . . .
The Competency Model assumes people do things for a reason and that
"problem behaviors" are logical adaptations to difficult
situations--adaptations that simply have outlived their usefulness. The
focus of therapy is to replace outmoded problem-solving strategies
with new more effective solutions. As a Cognitive-Behavioral
therapist, I favor techniques that highlight the relationship
between our thoughts and the way we feel and act in the world. And
finally, as a Family Systems therapist, I respect the importance
others play in our life and include them in the treatment process in
spirit, if not in body.
As time
has passed,
this has meant that I've become a cross
between a detective, a teacher and a coach. A detective----because my job is
to help people identify issues that are at the root of their problems. A
teacher----because understanding the cause of our problems usually isn't enough.
If we want to be successful, we need to learn new more effective ways to
solve them. And finally, a coach----because even the most self-motivated
person needs a little feedback and encouragement along the way.
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