CREDENTIALS/DISCIPLINE: I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
BOARD CERTIFIED: No
Number of years treating patients with eating disorders: 8-10 years
Number of patients with eating disorders I treat annually: 5-10
EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERTISE: I graduated from John F. Kennedy University with a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology, and will soon complete training for a Certificate in Eating Disorders. I have specialized knowledge in meeting with people struggling with Type 1 Diabetes and an eating disorder, known as diabulimia, as well as other eating disorder diagnoses. I also meet with people have an accompanying medical condition that puts them at increased risk for an eating disorder.
TREATMENT PHILOSOPHY: I draw upon various ideas and perspectives, including post-modern ideas, cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness, and expressive arts, to tailor therapy to fit each person’s needs and ideas regarding what is helpful. People have ideas and intentions about who they are. Eating disorders interfere with these intentions, create obstacles, and disconnect a person from herself. Treatment includes helping each person explore causes and effects of an eating disorder, develop new skills and perspectives, and find solutions so she is empowered to live life on her own terms. I’ve found pet-assisted therapy to be valuable and supportive, and incorporate this treatment approach with interested clients.
Yes, I believe recovery is possible. Each person is unique, so ideas of recovery and the journey taken is personal I work collaboratively with each client to help her define recover, identify her abilities and beliefs, develop new skills, and shift the ideas and perspectives on who she is and how she views herself. It also becomes important for each person to feel confident that she will counter an eating disorder’s attempted influence, recognize when it threatens to intrude again, and to anticipate when new situations and life transitions may invite the eating disorder back in.
FEES: Cash, Credit Cards, Payment Plans, Personal Checks, Sliding Scale, Insurance – Blue Shield, Pacificare, MHN, MHNet, United Behavioral Health, United Healthcare, If patient covered by “Provider out the network” in a PPO will bill on behalf of a patient.