I offer a free 20 minute consultation.
CREDENTIALS/DISCIPLINE: PhD in Clinical Psychology
BOARD CERTIFIED: No
Number of years treating patients with eating disorders: 10+ years
Number of patients with eating disorders we treat annually: 5-10
EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERTISE: I graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science from Brooklyn College with a major in Psychology and a minor in Nutrition Science. I earned my Master of Science and Doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology from Hofstra University. I completed my predoctoral internship at the University of California, Davis and my postdoctoral fellowship at Cognitive Behavioral Associates, a private practice in Great Neck, New York. My clinical work has spanned hospital, university counseling center, community health center, and private practice settings. Prior to founding Compass CBT, I spent nine years working as a staff psychologist at a top private practice group in New York City.
TREATMENT PHILOSOPHY:
I use a blend of evidence-based therapy approaches to help people break free from binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, orthorexia, chronic unsuccessful dieting, “overeating”, “emotional eating”, “food addiction”, “sugar addiction”, and body image issues such as body dysmorphic disorder.
My overall philosophy when it comes to healing eating disorders and body image is rooted in Health at Every Size® (HAES). It is a framework that supports people of all sizes in adopting healthy behaviors rather than focusing on body size. As a HAES-aligned therapist, I support body diversity. I acknowledge the structural forces that impinge on the wellbeing of my clients and help them navigate those systems.
I approach clients who struggle with food from a weight-neutral, evidence-based approach called Intuitive Eating (IE). I will support you in reconnecting with your body’s direct messages of hunger, fullness, and satiety so that you can better meet your physical and psychological needs and stop feeling guilty about how you eat.
Your struggles with body image and food are not your fault. You learned and internalized messages about what your body should look like from society and those around you. With Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), I can help you critically examine and shift your beliefs about your body and worth.
I teach skills from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation will equip you with healthier strategies for coping with difficult emotions.
I also incorporate Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) to help you relate to yourself with kindness and to build emotional resilience. Many research studies have demonstrated that people who use MSC experience less shame and more self-confidence. These skills can help you face the difficult emotions that come up as you find your way to self-acceptance and a healthier relationship with food and your body.
The final approach I utilize is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you identify and honor your authentic values.
FEES: Credit Cards, Sliding Scale; out-of-network; provides Superbills