Specializing in Child, Adolescent, Family, and Couples Therapy
About Me
For over 30 years I have been a licensed psychologist working in the Pittsburgh area, providing comprehensive outpatient mental health services including psychotherapy for children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. I have been in private practice since 1989, starting in the East End of Pittsburgh and moving to my current Allison Park location in 1991. My approach to psychotherapy is collaborative and involves the clients’ input in determining individualized treatment goals. My goal is to provide the highest quality of care to you and your family members in working towards better days.
Education and Training
I received my Bachelor of Science at the University of Pennsylvania, having completed an honors thesis in the area of children’s learning. I received my Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh, with both my thesis and dissertation being in the area of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The focus of my Master’s thesis was self-control behavior, while the Doctoral dissertation focused on peer relationships and social status. I held the position of Clinical Fellow in Psychology through the Department of Psychiatry of Harvard Medical School, doing a joint internship at Boston Children’s Hospital and Judge Baker Children’s Center.
Prior to being in full-time private practice, I was a contract psychologist for the South Hills Health System in Sewickley focusing on adult therapy, including both marital therapy and parenting skills training. I also was a Staff Psychologist for the Center for Pediatric Psychiatry and Medicine outpatient clinic at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic and for the Behavioral Science Division of Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, focusing on psychodiagnostic evaluations and outpatient individual, family, and group psychotherapy with children and adolescents. One area of specialization was treatment of chronically medically ill children and their families. I also supervised clinical psychology interns while at Children’s Hospital and served as a Practicum Supervisor for graduate clinical psychology students at the University of Pittsburgh.
Trained as a scientist-practitioner, I participated in longitudinal research in the area of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. (See Publications.)
Volunteer Experiences
While in private practice, I have had extensive volunteer experience in a large suburban school district, where I have held numerous leadership roles, advocating for elementary, middle, and high school students. I have worked on reducing bullying in highly competitive settings, and have worked with high-level administrators to help educators understand the unique emotional needs of gifted and talented students. From this work, I have an excellent perspective of the developmental needs of such children and the need to work collaboratively to help each child reach their full potential.
