Have you tried to fill the emptiness in your life with things, food, alcohol or addictions?
You are not alone. Many people face troubles that they find difficult to solve alone. No matter how strong we are, we each encounter moments in our lifetime when it is more effective to seek help than to continue to go it alone.
At times life hands us more challenges than we are able to meet with grace. As a therapist I do my best to help people discover, reclaim and master their inner resources. Their reclaimed wisdom can turn challenges into opportunities for growth and lead them to a more joyous and love-filled life.
I believe that we are at our best when we are fully alive, self aware but not self absorbed. We thrive when we are physically nurtured, emotionally supported and spiritually connected.
Therapeutic Orientation
Years of experience working with children and families help me to accurately assess the needs of young children and teens with behavioral issues, learning difficulties or emotional problems. I utilize a variety of approaches including family therapy, parent coaching, play therapy and multidisciplinary referrals to help this vulnerable population and their family members.
As a facilitator of healing for children and adults who experienced abuse or other traumatic experiences, I have come to respect the inherent wisdom of the body and the incredible resiliency of the mind. If your life was impacted by abuse, know that there are many ways to rewrite the negative core beliefs about self which are often left behind by trauma. Relaxation techniques, mind-body modalities and guided imagery are among the therapeutic tools I use. It would be an honor to assist you in transforming your life and freeing you to be the person you are meant to be.
As a relationship counselor I draw largely on Imago Relationship Therapy, a lovely synthesis of tools popularized by Harville Hendrix and Helen Hunt. Imago techniques help couples gain a larger perspective on the themes of their disagreements and master communication skills that enhance understanding and empathy. At its best, Imago can help each partner gain personal empowerment through understanding his or herself and learn to ask for the care and support of their partner. When people are empowered to recognize what they truly long for and ask for it, they have an alternative to behaving in angry, defensive or avoidant ways that only alienate their partners and prolong their pain.
I also have had good results using Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) with my clients. EMDR is a mind and body modality that helps people identify and change internal beliefs that contribute to their suffering. It helps to release the negative residue from the big and little traumas of life. The light of your personality can be dimmed by the weight of sadness, fear and negative thoughts about yourself that may remain in the wake of loss, neglect or trauma. EMDR is one method to reclaim the brilliance of your true identity.
I offer Reiki, a healing art with Japanese origins, at my practice. Reiki (pronounced ray-key) is a Japanese word that means Universal Life Energy, the energy that is in and around everything. Reiki nurtures body, mind and spirit. It accelerates the body's natural ability to heal and supports general well-being. A Reiki treatment is a gentle process that allows healing and balancing energy to be passed through the practitioner to another person, an animal, a plant or the practitioner's own body. If you are interested in experiencing a Reiki treatment, please indicate that as Reiki sessions require a longer appointment time than most psychotherapy appointments.
I also design and facilitate specialized expressive therapy groups and workshops. These groups are held either at my Lewisburg office on Hospital Drive or at other locations. Groups, businesses and organizations have consulted with me to address specific needs such as burn-out prevention or conflict resolution. I have also presented workshops on a variety of psycho-social and psycho-spiritual themes.
My Education and Training
I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). I have a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Temple University. Licensed clinical social workers have training in psychological disorders and take courses that are designed to build therapeutic skills to help individual clients, families, or groups.
To maintain licensure we, like other helping professionals, are required to further our education throughout our career in the form of Continuing Education Credits. I am an Advanced Clinician in Imago Relationship Therapy, a certified EMDR therapist and a Reiki II practitioner. The American Board of Examiners also has granted me Board Certified Diplomat status in my field.
I have been a self-employed helping professional since 1990. Prior to that, I worked as an outpatient clinician in counseling agencies, as an advocate for abuse victims and as an administrator. My undergraduate degree is in Art and Communications from Juniata College.
About Me
I enjoy life in rural Central Pennsylvania, although I love to travel to far away places and to visit friends. When I am not at my office I am likely to be outdoors: gardening, wind-surfing, canoeing, walking my dog, hiking or cross-country skiing. If the weather is really lousy or it's dark out, I enjoy cooking, reading, and curling up in front of the fire with one of my cats. My family members and loved ones add riches to my life. I also enjoy dabbling in artistic pursuits, dancing and attending live performances.
Getting Started
A first counseling appointment can be unnerving for anyone. I do my best to help you feel welcome and learn about your concerns in a manner that is comfortable for you and/or your child or children. If you have questions about starting treatment in addition to what is covered here, please contact me.
In general:
To be a help to you I first need to know you. Our first visit together is mostly an information gathering session. I will ask you to describe in your own words what is troubling you and what goals you have for our work together. I usually draw a genogram, a shorthand version of a family tree, to get to know the significant people in your life and how they impact you. You will be asked to complete intake forms before we meet to provide me with some information about you and your concerns. You may also complete these ahead of time by printing them from the link below.
If the client is a child:
I ask that children be accompanied to their first appointment by both of their parents whenever possible. At times, due to circumstances, both parents are not able or willing to attend. In the event of a conflicted separation or divorce situation, I ask parents to alternate in bringing their child so that both have equal opportunity to participate in their child's treatment and I get both parents' observations and assistance. If the custody of the child is shared legally, both parents must give permission for treatment. A permission form is included in the Child Intake Form available to download below.
In some cases when biological parents are not available, another significant caregiver, such as a foster parent or a grandparent, may participate in the child's treatment. I believe that in most cases parents and caregivers have more internal and external resources than their children do, so parent or caregiver involvement is essential. At times parents choose to schedule an appointment with me prior to my meeting their child to provide essential background information that may not be age appropriate to share with the child.
If you are seeking couples counseling:
Couples are encouraged to attend first visits together. There may be occasions however, that for clinical reasons I may encourage one or both of the partners to consider individual therapy with another therapist to heal significant issues that impede the progress of the couple.
Family therapy:
At times the concern that brings you or your family members into treatment is a concern that all share, such as a death, separation or problems getting along. Family sessions may be recommended in these cases. When calling to schedule an appointment, we will make a decision about whether the intake appointment should involve the entire family or a subgroup, such as the parents.
Downloadable Forms
For your convenience, from this location you can print or read the following:
Payment Options
You can pay for your visits with me with cash, checks, or major credit cards. My fees are listed on my Financial Policies. I am also a provider for some insurance carriers and Employee Assistance Programs. The most accurate way to determine if your treatment with me would be covered is to call the customer number on the back of your insurance card listed as mental health or behavioral health. If your card has no such number, call the general customer service number and inquire. A Mental Health Insurance Information form is included in the downloadable forms above to help you find out what you need to know from your insurance carrier.
Availability
I schedule client appointments routinely on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Two days a week I am available from mid-day into the evening and the other days I have morning and afternoon appointments. Client sessions are by appointment only. I do what I can to accommodate your schedule. Phone sessions may be arranged in the event of inclement weather or prohibitive distance.
Contact Me
To call my office dial (570) 523-7509. For other information, including a map, click on the link above labeled Contact Us.
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