About Me

This page will list my degrees and credentials later, but first I want you to know that I am passionate about my work and I am always honored and humbled when survivors of trauma allow me to work with them on their healing journey. I want this page to help you make an informed decision if we’ll work well together, not just list the things I’ve accomplished.

What you probably want to know most of all is: do I know what I’m doing and, what inspires me to work with trauma survivors, i.e.; sexual, physical, emotional abuse, single incident traumatic experience, child abuse, anxiety, depression, dysfunctional families, complicated relationships. My degrees and credentials will answer the first part, though my work and experience is definitely informed by what I’m about to tell you.

I love working with Trauma Survivors because they tend to be some of the most courageous people I have ever met. I enjoy working with adults of all ages because it’s never too late to heal from wounds of the past. I'm so grateful and honored to be able to aid people in their healing process.

Another reason I love working with clients who’ve experienced trauma is because I’ve been there myself. I get it on a level I couldn’t unless I experienced similar incidents and then later knowing what it’s like to heal from it. I know the amount of courage it takes from my own personal journey. Your journey however, will be different and I want you to know that I get it.

Because I am also a Trauma Survivor I know the work and commitment it takes to heal, and I do my best work with people who are so fed up with being miserable that they're willing to make necessary changes in their life. I can't change you. You have to change you and I am honored to help support you in your healing.

And just so you know, I AM NOT THE SMILE AND NOD THERAPIST who takes a lot of notes and says a whole lot of nothing! Although I do smile often, I will be rolling up my sleeves and diving into the trenches with you. Your future does NOT need to be dictated by your past experiences.

So…what does therapy look like with me: I’m gentle but firm when necessary, and I may even call you on your own stuff, but not before we establish an environment of safety, stabilization and boundaries. And... I’m very supportive, because after all healing from trauma is no small matter. In fact I am often reminded by the quote by Toni Morrison, “Anything dead coming back to life hurts.”

I'm not afraid to talk about anything you need to talk about. Sex? Money? Feeling Guilty? Or even, Menopause? I'm good with whatever you need to talk about. Let's get it all out and don’t worry, we will be tackling SHAME too. But what I won’t do is re-traumatize you by going after the heat-seeking missile of, “the story”.

And to answer the first question: Yes, I do know what I'm doing. I love what I do and I'm damn good at it. And yes, I have many years of education, training and hands on experience.

Now, here are the degrees and credentials I promised:
I have been working with Trauma Survivors since 2007, and my training has been diverse. I have worked with Holocaust survivors, children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. I have worked at an elementary school, inpatient psychiatric hospital, outpatient addiction and pain management agency, community mental-health, group practice and private practice.

I am a California Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC3810) and an Illinois Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (180.010680). I received my graduate degree in Clinical Psychology, Counseling Specialization, with a concentration in Crisis and Trauma from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology – Chicago Campus.

I also received a Master's of Arts Certificate in Holocaust and Genocide studies from Seton Hill University in Greensburg PA, as well as the International School for Holocaust Studies in Jerusalem. In addition, I earned my B.A. in Behavioral Science from National Louis University in Chicago IL.

I have obtained additional training and certifications in Trauma and Resilience from Herzog Israel Center for the treatment of Psycho-trauma, advanced year of Somatic Experiencing, advanced levels of EMDR training, Laurel Parnell’s training on the treatment of adults abused as children, Bessel Van Der Kolk’s training on the Mastery of Trauma Treatment, Stephen Porges, Ployvagal Theory and domestic violence and sexual assault training from ICDV in Chicago IL.

I am a Member of the American Counseling Association, International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, and Psychology Today.

 

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