“You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”
~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
It’s common to feel uncertain about your future, your goals, or even whether therapy is right for you. Early in the process, we often focus on gaining clarity—understanding how you arrived at this point and what you want moving forward.
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With over 26 years of experience, I’ve worked with individuals across a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, life transitions, and questions of purpose and direction. Some clients come with clear goals; others begin by exploring what feels confusing, stuck, or unfulfilling.
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You don’t need to have all the answers to begin. Therapy is a collaborative process focused on insight, direction, and meaningful change—starting wherever you are.
MY SERVICES
I am trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and integrate Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), which aligns closely with CBT principles. My work is grounded in evidence-based approaches, while also emphasizing the therapeutic relationship as a key driver of change.
Over time, therapy becomes more than techniques alone—it is a collaborative process shaped by trust, empathy, and a nonjudgmental space. Together, we focus on helping you move toward your goals in a way that feels both structured and responsive to your individual needs.
COUPLES
I received specialized training in couples counseling both in graduate school at SUNY Stony Brook, and during my internship in Charleston, SC. I've worked with couples who are dating, engaged, married and divorcing. At any stage, you can choose to strengthen your relationship skills, or address those persistent issues that fuel frustration.
Couple Specialty Areas
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Communication & problem-solving skills
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Taming your inner critic & the one blaming your partner
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Shared stress reduction: Be on the same team (You & me against the world!)
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Infidelity repair & recovery (How did this happen to us and where do we go from here?)
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Anger management
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Conflict containment & resolution
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Working out those persistent conflicts & learning how to improve listening skills can end your stalemate
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Renewing the connection; reviving the friendship
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Navigating & plotting the course to your ideal future
Frequently Asked Couple Questions
Will my health insurance cover couples therapy?
The answer is: it depends...
Coverage for therapy depends on "medical necessity," as defined by your insurance provider. This typically requires a diagnosable mental health condition and submission of an appropriate diagnostic code.
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Couples or relationship concerns alone are generally not considered medically necessary and are not covered. However, if one partner is diagnosed with a disorder, such as anxiety or depression that is impacted by relationship distress, that individual may be identified for treatment, which can include partner involvement.
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If no qualifying diagnosis is present, couples therapy is then offered on a private-pay basis.
Other sources:
Does Insurance Cover Couples Therapy?
How to Ask Your Insurance Company if Couples Therapy is Covered.
Are you going to take sides and tell me I'm the problem?
My role is not to determine who is right or wrong. Most conflicts involve contributions from both partners, with valid perspectives on each side. Therapy focuses on understanding these dynamics and working collaboratively toward meaningful change.
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Even in cases involving infidelity, it is often important to address underlying patterns and concerns that predate the event, with attention to both partners’ experiences.
Are you going to tell us to divorce?
It is also not my role to advise couples to stay together or separate. Instead, I help partners identify areas of difficulty, understand their differences, and work toward meaningful change.
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In some cases, couples decide that continuing the relationship is not the healthiest option. When questions about staying or separating arise, therapy can provide a structured space to evaluate what is workable and what is not. I may also recommend resources, such as Reconcilable Differences, to support this process.
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Ultimately, the decision rests with you. Therapy is designed to help you gain clarity and make thoughtful, informed choices.
INDIVIDUAL
Like most therapists, I am equipped to assist with general individual issues such as depression, anxiety and stress reduction, grief, and difficulties adjusting to challenges & transitions in life. I have developed specialities over the years in the areas described below, but if you don't fit those molds and still like what you've read about my services, contact me. We'll see if I'm a good fit for your unique therapy needs. If I'm not, maybe I can recommend a better match for your therapy goals.
Single & Dating Stressors:
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Are you approachable?
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Why are you a great catch? Get in touch with your strengths and attractive qualities
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Examine the inner critic that holds you back
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Challenge pessimistic beliefs about yourself & your future
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Get creative about where to socialize & meet new people
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Why so serious? Learn to make it fun!
Softening Your Inner Critic - What's Involved?
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Recognize the pressure and unmanageable expectations you've placed on yourself
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Examine the message the inner critic is trying to convey
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Explore the harsh delivery of the inner criticism and where that came from
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Learn how perfectionism, procrastination, stagnation and unmet goals or potential often go hand-in-hand and how to break this cycle
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Question the role of guilt in your choices and actions
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Learn about self compassion, how to develop it and become your own best advocate/friend
Frequently Asked General Question
What insurance do you accept and if you are not in my network, how do I use out-of-network (OON) benefits?
I am a provider for:
Anthem BC/BS
Medicare
Aetna
Even if your insurance plan is listed, it’s best to contact Member Services (on the back of your card) to confirm that I am in-network, as participation can change.
My NPI: 1447266440.
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If I am out-of-network (OON), ask about your OON mental health benefits. If your plan includes OON coverage, you typically pay for sessions upfront. I will provide you with an invoice to submit for reimbursement. The insurance company then reimburses a percentage of their allowable fee.
To avoid unexpected costs, it is important to verify that you have OON benefits and to determine exactly what percentage will be reimbursed.