About
I believe that the most effective practice of psychotherapy is done in
an atmosphere of safety where a person can be carefully listened to. Psychoanalytical psychotherapy is a type of deep listening that allows for the emergence of one’s individuality. My particular style of psychotherapy, rooted in Freud, Lacan and Jung pays assiduous attention to a person’s desire and how they express this in language, behavior, dreams and other modes of expression. Ultimately, the goal is to help you be more comfortable with yourself. My style is interactive and, when appropriate, suggestive and directive.
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I grew up in New York City and went to The Trinity School. I received a B.A .from Bennington College in 1979 in Philosophy and Music. I pursued graduate work in Philosophy at Columbia University and then Social Work at Yeshiva University (MSW 1992). I studied Alcohol and Addiction at John Jay College. I have advanced training in Psychoanalytic Group Psychotherapy from The Postgraduate Center (Certificate 1996). I completed a Master’s in Bio-Ethics ( MA 2010) from The CUNY Graduate Center. My varied interests in philosophy, music, social work, group dynamics, ethics and psychoanalytic theory all play a part in my overall approach to psychotherapy as a way to explore the conscious and unconscious expressions of our human experience.
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I began my career in mental health in the 1980’s working as a substance abuse counselor with adolescents and adults at The Regent Hospital in NYC where I also interned and completed my MSW degree. While there I became interested in group therapy and was influenced by the Tavistock Method of group relations. Completing my degree and internship I worked at The Realization Center, an out-patient alcohol and drug clinic in NYC, as an individual and group therapist. Treating a wide variety of substance abusers in New York city during the 1980’s I have encountered a broad spectrum of individuals from all walks of life who have struggled not only with addiction but also meaning, identity and values. Continuing with my interest in dual-diagnosis clients, I worked at Bronx Psychiatric Center and developed an innovative program for severe and chronically ill patients in the community blending psychiatry, acupuncture and group therapy and utilized recovering addiction counselors from therapeutic communities as therapeutic agents. During this time I finished my group psychoanalytic training at The Postgraduate Center. Relocating to Westchester I began working at Four Winds Hospital where I worked on in-patient and out-patient programs with both adolescents and adults. I became a supervisor and coordinator of the adolescent Partial Hospital program and taught adolescent clinical practice at Fordham University. I returned to the Postgraduate Center to work as Clinical Director of their East Side Clinic and supervised a staff of 70 therapists, interns and psychoanalytic candidates. My experience working in both private and state psychiatric hospitals, treating adolescents and adults, and working with both substance abuse and mental heath issues in both short and long term situations has given me a wide exposure to people and their struggles.
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Since 2007 I have been exclusively in private practice in Croton on Hudson, New York and Danbury, Connecticut.
I see adolescents, young adults, and adults in individual, couples and group therapy. I am available for short term consultation or longer term intensive work.