My Clinical Philosophy and Approach
Children can be overwhelming. That’s right! Everyone knows it. But for some reason, parents still sometimes feel embarrassed or awkward when they actually feel overwhelmed by their children. My philosophy is that people do the best they can. Children do better when they CAN do better. And so do parents. My role as a psychologist, then, is to help families figure out what is keeping them from being able to do better. Sometimes, the barrier is a response to trauma that needs to be resolved. Sometimes it’s a school setting that does fit the child's needs. Sometimes, it’s a parenting style that works really well with some children but is a mismatch with a particular child in the family. At still other times, it’s a skill that the child needs help to learn and practice. In all these cases, I am here to collaborate in order to 1) figure out what could help your specific family and 2) work toward improved functioning.
For those of you seeking information specific to my treatment orientation, my work is based solidly in learning theory and Cognitive Behavioral Therapies (CBT). CBT is a broad theoretical framework that basically means I work with people to understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are related and influence each other. CBTs have a great deal of research support showing how they work. But there is also a realization that not every family functions in the same way or responds to the same treatments in the same way. Thus, my work is family/ child- driven such that I seek to help families meet their own particular needs and goals. Plus, I include techniques that are consistent with non-directive techniques (especially with young children), family systems therapies, interpersonal therapies, and using insight oriented approaches. I also value collaboration among the multiple systems in which children are served and spend their time. As a Clinical Psychologist with my background, I am trained to provide evaluation and treatment services across a range of ages; however, my general practice focuses on parents and individual work with those between 4 and 24 years old.
Office:
2505 East Avenue Suite 108
Rochester, New York 14610
Phone: 585-248-8740
Fax: 585-248-8126
I also provide treatment and consultation service at an office within the Elmwood Pediatrics Group on Westfall Road. If your child receives care through the pediatric office there and you would like to talk to a behavioral health professional, please talk to your pediatrician. The site also serves as a potential meeting place for my patients who are not patients at Elmwood Pediatrics. Feel free to ask about this option when you are scheduling.
I have particular training and interest in:
o Working with children exposed to trauma
o Play therapy with children (click for a video about play therapy)
o Anxiety and excessive worry
o Depression and mood problems
o Parent Management Training
o School Consultation
I AM CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS. Information about becoming a new patient in my private practice is accessable from the Menu bar to the left (New Patients tab).
For those of you seeking information specific to my treatment orientation, my work is based solidly in learning theory and Cognitive Behavioral Therapies (CBT). CBT is a broad theoretical framework that basically means I work with people to understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are related and influence each other. CBTs have a great deal of research support showing how they work. But there is also a realization that not every family functions in the same way or responds to the same treatments in the same way. Thus, my work is family/ child- driven such that I seek to help families meet their own particular needs and goals. Plus, I include techniques that are consistent with non-directive techniques (especially with young children), family systems therapies, interpersonal therapies, and using insight oriented approaches. I also value collaboration among the multiple systems in which children are served and spend their time. As a Clinical Psychologist with my background, I am trained to provide evaluation and treatment services across a range of ages; however, my general practice focuses on parents and individual work with those between 4 and 24 years old.
Office:
2505 East Avenue Suite 108
Rochester, New York 14610
Phone: 585-248-8740
Fax: 585-248-8126
I also provide treatment and consultation service at an office within the Elmwood Pediatrics Group on Westfall Road. If your child receives care through the pediatric office there and you would like to talk to a behavioral health professional, please talk to your pediatrician. The site also serves as a potential meeting place for my patients who are not patients at Elmwood Pediatrics. Feel free to ask about this option when you are scheduling.
I have particular training and interest in:
o Working with children exposed to trauma
o Play therapy with children (click for a video about play therapy)
o Anxiety and excessive worry
o Depression and mood problems
o Parent Management Training
o School Consultation
I AM CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS. Information about becoming a new patient in my private practice is accessable from the Menu bar to the left (New Patients tab).