I am a licensed psychologist in Florida with over twenty-five years of experience with children, adolescents, and adults with a wide range of mood disorders, parenting problems, behavior, and relationship issues. I have conducted evaluations for Social Security Disability and the Department of Children and Families as well as custody Parental Evaluations for families and the court system. I am trained in Collaborative Law divorce mediation to help families focus on the best interest of their children through those difficult circumstances. Working with patients that are having difficulties making life adjustments as life becomes more complex is what I enjoy the most because we all can become more adaptable and develop new skills and techniques to help us cope more effectively. I have worked with patients suffering with and recovering from significant medical issues including COPD, CVA, TBI, cancer, diabetes, COVID, and physical injury, assisting them in regaining strength and independence and being able to return home following inpatient rehabilitation intervention. Many people I work with are first responders, have PTSD, or are suffering from Acute Stress Disorder following a trauma. My therapy style varies according to the issues presented, and my role as a psychologist is not to judge but to treat people as individuals and provide needed support. I use cognitive-behavioral and reality therapy and am very much in-line with the humanistic approach in all client care. I prefer to be solution-focused and to provide clients with valuable tools that they can use in the future as needed. Decision making strategies and techniques are emphasized. I provide supportive therapy and try to aid in empowering patients in taking confident, measured steps toward where they want to be next in their life path.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
Each session will focus on the initial treatment plan goals we establish at the initial session. They will have specific goals to work towards to begin to make desired progress which we will monitor and discuss at the next session. We can then determine what works best for them and how to continue to improve upon what is being done, and make changes as needed to facilitate achieving their goals.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
I use different approaches according to each individual, and find what they are most comfortable with in their daily life. I use cognitive behavioral techniques and am solution focused. I also work with patients with medical problems such as chronic pain, cancer, and post CVA recovery, supportive and encouraging them to remain motivated. I also work with conflict resolution and find reality therapy approaches very helpful in such situations.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Having so much experience with a diverse range of mental health diagnoses is so valuable. I rarely encounter something totally new and have so much prior experience that I can use including journal articles and handouts and homework if appropriate. My court work has made my skill set dealing with difficult family dynamics and recovery following abuse and trauma very broad.