“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”
Lao Tzu
I have specialized in providing therapy for couples in private practice for more than 35 years. Over forty years ago, immediately after graduate school, I worked in positions and sought out academic post-graduate studies dedicated to learning all I could about the theories, practice and art of couples therapy. I was fortunate to learn from pioneers in the field, whose work withstands the test of time. I studied couples therapy in dedicated classes in academic settings early in my career through the Iowa School of Social Work taught by Menninger’s faculty while still living in Des Moines, and after moving to California I began 4 years of studies in martial and couples therapy at the California Graduate School of Marital and Family Therapy in Marin County.
From the beginning of my career I was passionate about the transformative impact on both the individuals in the couple, and for the couple, with the hope their changes, would impact future generations..my passion and belief has never waned.
I bring this clinical experience and academic expertise to every couple with whom I meet. Using an integrated approach, I am able to work with most couples regardless of the specific issues or problems they bring to therapy. Whether you are in a committed relationship, or wondering if you should stay in one, gay or straight, a first marriage, or a long-term relationship, seeking help with broken hearts or broken promises, in a crisis, or dealing with entrenched challenges, I can help.
All couples seeking therapy have some similarities to other couples in their phase of relationship, yet each couple is as unique as their thumbprint. This is why no single model or method works for every couple. In order to best meet the needs of couples who choose to come to see me as their therapist, I feel eager and compelled to continue learning and integrating the newest and most effective theories and research in the field today, including neuroscience, couples therapy and sexuality.
In the past 2 decade alone, I have studied and trained with many of the newest thought leaders and clinicians in the field, all to help me help you. Since 2008, I have been in case consultation with Esther Perel, LMFT, author and expert in the field of sexuality and long-term relationships. I completed an intensive Externship with Sue Johnson, Ph.D., author, clinician, researcher and founder of Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples (EFT) and I am a lifetime member of the International Centre for the Excellence of Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT). Many others continue to influence my work, including the research of John Gottman, Ph.D., neuroscientist and psychologist Rick Hanson, Ph.D. author and sex therapist Barry McCarthy, Ph.D., Relational Life Institute founder and therapist Terrence Real, and mindfulness teachers Jack Kornfield, and Jon Kabat-Zinn.
I invite you to watch the videos and peruse articles included in the resource section of my website to learn more about these, and other experts in the field.