Who I Am
Psychologist, Wife, Mother, Therapist, Educator, Supervisor, Public Speaker and Media Personality
What I Value
• Being authentic, real and kind
• Showing compassion while being direct and honest
• Holding myself and others accountable
My Mission
Helping us lesson the shame, blame and guilt we suffer from in order to live our best lives with honesty, accountability and love.
Training and Professional Background
I was trained in a variety of therapy modalities which include: family systems, gestalt, cognitive behavioral and psychodynamic. I earned my doctorate in clinical psychology from Widener University in Chester, PA in 1997. After completing my doctorate I received advanced training from Masters and Johnson’s Program as well as Dr. Patrick Carnes. Additionally, I spent five years as the clinical director of the Keystone Center Extended Care Unit, a nationally known residential treatment program for healing from sexually compulsive behaviors and trauma.
For 5 years I was a board member of IITAP- The International Institute of Trauma and Addictions Professionals, where I headed the supervision committee. I have supervised hundreds of therapists and lectured nationally on various topics including: healing from trauma, addictions, post-traumatic stress and co-dependency. I have trained therapists at various addictions facilities including: The Betty Ford Clinic, The Caron Foundation and Delamo Hospital in Torrance, California. I have also been featured on television networks which include: MSNBC News, ABC, CBS, Fox, A & E, CN8, as well as many newspaper and talk shows.
Additionally, I spent 4 years leading an Emotional Eating Program at the Women’s Center of Chestnut Hill Hospital in Philadelphia, where I educated patients about developing a healthy relationship with food and their body images. I have also been an adjunct faculty member at Widener University’s Clinical Psychology Doctorate Program and have lectured at: Chestnut Hill College, Villanova University and the Philadelphia college of Textiles and Science.
Personal Background: Who Influenced Me?
I am a third generation healer. My grandmother was a social worker, who grew up in a time when women weren’t highly educated. She was a free spirit who embraced knowledge as power and earned a masters of social work degree. She helped hundreds of people from many different cultures and was my role model on how to live life passionately. Also, my mother was a guidance counselor who helped countless families in crisis and opened her heart to help people from all walks of life. My father was a criminal defense attorney who taught me how to root for the underdog. He was direct and believed in embracing honesty at all costs. I was also raised in a family where successful healing from addictions was modeled. Through my upbringing, I derived a sense of believing that recovery is possible and that I have a huge amount of inner strength.
My Role as a Wife and Mother
I have been happily married for over 23 years and have three children who are the biggest blessings in my life. Through my marriage I have learned to work through ups and downs, assert myself and grow as an individual as well as embrace being part of a couple. I have also learned to laugh wholeheartedly and love fearlessly. I believe in the value of marriage and will do everything in my power to help support couples who are in crisis. Strengthening families is very crucial to what I believe and who I am as a person.