I bring to my work
a life-long interest in how we are affected by stress, whether that stress comes from our health, our lives, or our concerns. My undergraduate training was in biology and psychology, and I spent the earliest part of my career researching immunogenetics at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. I become increasingly interested in the impact of life changes and how we interpret and deal with psychological stressors and components of situations, including pain. I completed training in childbirth preparation and early parenting, and then earned a Masters in Social Work. After I joined the faculty of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, I was recruited into the Clinical Health Psychology program, offered by the College of Medicine and the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology
As my doctoral studies and research continued,
I understood that it is the suffering and distress that results from pain (physical, psychological and spiritual) that can throw people's lives out of balance. I believe my role as a psychologist is to help people explore how suffering impacts our lives, how it affects our views of ourselves, and how it influences our ability to grow.
I have been providing psychotherapeutic services
for adults and adolescents for over 35 years as well as disaster mental health services more than two decades. I was involved in providing disaster mental health services immediately following the World Trade Center attacks (9-11), Hurricane Katrina, and numerous local emergencies and exposures to trauma. I continue to be actively involved in emergency services, trauma, and disaster response.
My purpose is this:
to help people establish a healthy balance in their lives that allows them to withstand the various challenges that come their way.
Professional Appointments:
9/04 – present: Adjunct Clinical Supervisor, Ferkauf Graduate School, Bronx, NY
2/04 – present: Associate Attending Staff – Department of Psychology, Greenwich Hospital, Greenwich, CT
11/02 – 2/04: Assistant Attending Staff – Department of Psychology, Greenwich Hospital, Greenwich, CT
9/93 – 5/96: Faculty Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
Education
Ph.D. Yeshiva University, Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology - Clinical Health Psychology
M.A. Yeshiva University, Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology - Psychology
M.S.W. New York University, School of Social Work
B.A. New York University, Washington Square College - Biology
Professional Affiliations:
American Psychological Association
Connecticut Psychological Association
New York State Psychological Association
Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine
American Society of Clinical Hypnosis
Academy for Eating Disorders
American Academy of Pain Management
American Pain Society
American College of Forensic Examiners