I am the Founder and Executive Director of TREAT NYC, coming to this after working in private practice and in a variety of social service and medical settings as a clinical psychologist with a specialty in working with children and parents. My Ph.D. is from Columbia University, granted in 1990 (Teachers College Clinical Psychology program), and I earned an M.S. in Counseling Psychology prior to that from Bank Street College of Education. As an undergraduate I had a strong background in special education. My college roommate and long-time friend used to tease me that every paper I ever wrote, including my dissertation, included the words “Culture,” Language,” and “Cognition.”

I am a trauma specialist, and I particularly like working with children or adults who struggle with intertwined issues such as abuse and poverty, LD’s and consequent emotional difficulties, chronic medical problems, or 2E children. I have raised two children, including a daughter with chronic medical problems who is neurodivergent and has dysgraphia, and I have chronic medical problems myself, I am well aware of the challenges inherent in meeting these kind of complex family and personal needs.

As an experienced parent I’m really good at parent and couples’ coaching, and as a “seasoned therapist” I work well with people who are dealing with issues of aging (either in themselves or in their parents or spouses). I love helping people who have a history of trauma to heal and grow; my own childhood wasn’t easy and I have a lot of firsthand experience with the fears and struggles this can engender. In my free time I am a total foodie (I have an entire wall of spices—no one can believe it) and I am an avid gardener. Being outdoors in nature is one of the main ways I heal and grow, and I’m increasingly committed to using sustainable agricultural practices as well as building practices. I hope to buy land and to live off grid; meanwhile one of my more immediate personal goals is to become 100% produce independent.