16 years of experience
hi there! if we've already worked together, you know that my "hi there!" is generally followed by an apology for running late. so, if i am, i'm super sorry for running late. now that that's out of the way, welcome to the replayground. a little about me: board certified child and adolescent psychiatric clinical nurse specialist (2007) board certified family psychiatric nurse practitioner (2007) new haven native (1990) and yale trained (2000) pop culture junkie (1977) collector of toys and cats (1977) i do usually run late. this is largely because of my own executive functioning adventures in time blindness. i have some health issues that require me to occassionally reschedule sessions. i can be unintentionally forgetful so don't hesitate to give me a nudge.
Therapy should feel like a conversation. In the first few sessions, we'll work to get to know one another, discuss relevant history, develop working diagnoses, and establish a treatment plan.
Lived experiences, perspective taking, reflective functioning, hypothesis testing, and compassion are the bedrock of my practice.
a little about my philosophy of practice: i try to employ an attachment focused, epigenetic, multigenerational approach to our work. i'm trained in traditional modalities including TF-CBT, EMDR, DBT, PMT, PCIT, play therapies, family therapies though any modality can be effective so long as we have a connection that amplifies your sense of safety and strength in the world. i think therapy can and should be fun. at least sometimes. my only goal is to understand how you define having a quality of life and to do my best to work towards that. i believe patients should be treated like practice partners. i try to provide as much information as possible so that we can make treatment decisions together. under no circumstance will i 'tell you what to do'. DasGupta's work in narrative humility https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(08)60440-7/fulltext Felitti's Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) research https://acestoohigh.com/2012/10/03/the-adverse-childhood-experiences-study-the-largest-most-important-public-health-study-you-never-heard-of-began-in-an-obesity-clinic/ Fraiberg, Adelson, and Shapiro's contribution to attachment focused treatment with Ghosts in the Nursey chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://frcnca.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Ghosts-in-the-nursery-paper-copy.pdf Complexity Science!! integrating new ways to think about old problems. Visit the New England Complex System Institute to learn more! https://necsi.edu/ Precision Psychiatry!! the new frontier in treatment. a little hope yet. https://www.massgeneral.org/psychiatry/research/precision-psychiatry a little about the replayground: located at my home in Hamden, you're welcome to join me for feline supported therapy. i have five cats, all of whom are highly social. and curious. because cats. offering in person and telehealth sessions for ages 6-60. services provided include psychotherapy and/or medication management. home visits are available if appropriate (family sessions, meeting with multiple family members, immune compromise, etc.). i accept all insurance (Medicare, Medicaid, commercial). no cancellation charges. self scheduling available 24 hrs prior to session requested.