Welcome to my private practice site! For those visiting the site for the first time and considering therapy, here is a brief description of the services I provide for adults and children:

Couples Therapy — I use a variety of techniques to help couples improve communication and build healthier relationships.  In particular, I use The Five Love Languages as an approach to help couples resolve conflicts and effectively express and receive love.  I also use the frameworks and concepts developed by John Gottman, PhD, and the Gottman Institute in Seattle.

Family Therapy  —  Therapy is often most productive when parents attend with their children for part of the session to address parenting and communication issues which may be impacting the situation.   At times in therapy, I refer parents to online resources when developing our treatment plan.  For example, I have referred families to this Psychiatric Times article on the effectiveness of family involvement in cognitive-behavioral treatment for children with anxiety.   For families with young children (ages 3 to 9)  I sometimes use the Kazdin Method and the PRIDE Method for developing more positive parent-child relationships. 

Cognitive and Psychodynamic Approaches — I am well-versed in cognitive-behavioral techniques for improving mood and behavior. I also help clients explore the motivation and meaning underlying their emotional or relational problems. I have studied Carol S. Pearson’s work and have employed Pearson’s ideas and language to guide clients toward balance and empowerment in their lives.

Grief, Loss and Trauma Therapy for Children and Adults — I have helped clients struggling to recover from severe and sudden loss as well as from more subtle forms of grief, such as recurrent sadness over a failed marriage or emotional distress in dealing with illness or disability.

Reactive Attachment Issues — Reactive attachment refers to a cluster of behavioral and emotional symptoms that are believed to relate to an individual’s lack of normal bonding and attachment in the earliest years of life. I have worked with many clients at all stages of life who are struggling with reactive attachment issues, and have a background in providing therapy to foster and adoptive children who have suffered severe neglect and trauma.

New Media Therapy — I specialize in helping children and families address concerns about the appropriate and educational use of all kinds of new media, including online networks, video and online games, email and chatting, and blogs. I also offer web-based contact with families in order to provide psychoeducational material and other support.

Digital Play Therapy and Executive Function Training — There is a growing body of literature that suggests that some video games may be able to help children emotionally and behaviorally. I offer families therapeutic interventions which involve the use of digital technology when appropriate. For more on this, visit the Learningworksforkids.com website, particularly the section on executive functions.

Sexual Abuse Evaluation/Treatment — Working as a Diagnostic Assessment Clinician for the Rhode Island courts gave me a basic background in sexual abuse evaluation. As a clinician for Bradley Hospital and Day One (formerly the Sexual Assault and Trauma Resource Center), I gained further experience in sexual abuse evaluation and treatment.

Part of my goal as a clinical social worker is to provide mental health news and information to as many people as possible. To that end, I write posts on a wide range of mental health issues here on my blog. 

Referrals can be made by calling (401) 744-8933. I am a provider for Blue Cross Blue Shield, Neighborhood Health Plan, United Health, Medicare and Tri-Care.