I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker on staff at The Family Institute at Northwestern University with offices in downtown Chicago, and in Northbrook. I received my Masters in Social Work from the University of Chicago in 2000.  The majority of my career has been in outpatient psychiatric settings where I have provided psychotherapy to adolescents and adults dealing with a range of issues including depression, anxiety, trauma, and relationship difficulties. My main area of expertise is in women’s mental health with a focus on assisting women to understand and manage mood and anxiety symptoms that are triggered or exacerbated by the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and postpartum, and perimenopause and menopause.  I have extensive experience in treating women with perinatal mood disorders, and teach and lecture on this subject in Chicago and throughout the state of Illinois.

Professional Training

I have training in some specific modes of psychotherapy – one is called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and the other is called Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Both types of therapy are helpful in dealing with the symptoms and life problems that often come along with depression or anxiety.  I am also very interested in Vipassana mindfulness meditation (insight-oriented meditation) and am a student in how mindfulness can assist us to alleviate suffering.  I study and practice mindfulness mediation, as well as integrate these ideas into my work in psychotherapy.

In addition, I continue to study ways to assist people in working on their relationships and am a long-time student of Bowen family systems theory.  I am pursuing full certification in the Gottman method of couples therapy, and am a certified Infant Mental Health specialist with experience in assisting parents to improve their relationships with their young children.

 

Video Interview

This is an interview I did for Therapick, a video search engine for psychotherapists. In this interview you can “meet me” and hear me explain some of my philosophies and approaches, particularly in supporting families going through the transition to parenthood. Please note that my office location has changed since this interview was filmed.