I’ve provided psychoanalytic psychotherapy in the Chicago area since 2001, working with adolescents, adults, and couples. I have a particular interest and expertise in the areas of depression and anxiety, relationships, men’s issues, self-esteem, adolescent development, attachment, blocks to creativity, and the intersection of psychoanalysis, psychology, and spirituality. I completed post-graduate clinical training at the Object Relations Institute for Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy of New York, The Center for Religion & Psychotherapy of Chicago, and I’m a certified educator with graduate degrees in both Music and Counselor Education.

While I have a strong resonance with Object Relations theory, I value contributions from across the spectrum of psychoanalytic thought. However, beyond any theory, my understanding of any given patient is informed by the complexity and mystery of the their individual human experience. As such, I am most interested in understanding each person’s unique story and what keeps them in emotional pain.

I’m a therapist primarily working with children, teens and parents. I have expertise in child development, childhood mental health, emotional, behavioral and relationship issues. Emotional conflicts in children can get in the way of their development and be a source of stress for the family. I provide a safe and empathetic environment where children and teens can express themselves, gain self-awareness, and work through their conflicts. I help parents to understand the meaning of their children’s behaviors, emotional life, and managing daily behavioral challenges.

My training is focused on modern psychoanalytic psychotherapy and attachment theories.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist with over 25 years experience in practice as a clinical psychologist. I received my B.A in Psychology from Binghamton University, and went on to earn my Psy. D. from the Graduate Institute of Professional Psychology at the University of Hartford. Following the completion of my doctorate, I completed a residency in psychology at the Institute of Living in Hartford, CT. I live and practice in Chicago, where I am a psychoanalytic candidate at the Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute.

My clinical practice focuses on the psycho-therapeutic treatment of adults and families from a psychoanalytic perspective. Specifically, my areas of interest and expertise are the unique aspects of the psychology of men, couples psychotherapy and group psychotherapy. I have worked extensively with individuals who struggle with substance dependence in conjunction with other behavioral health disorders.

I help people address a broad range of mental health challenges, but have a special interest in academic and work-related struggles. I believe effective clinical work requires continuous learning and have completed ongoing training in LGBTQ affirmative, trauma informed, and multicultural practice. I find contemporary self and relational psychology helpful in understanding what gets between people and their goals, and have pursued training in this area at several institutes around the country. Before becoming a psychotherapist, I led several education non-profits and oversaw public affairs for a University of Chicago public policy center focused on children and families.

After nearly two decades helping large organizations in the non-profit world make the changes they needed to feel more effective, I decided to help individuals because I think change is an enriching part of life. I like helping people overcome concerns that keep them from embracing change. Using supportive exploration, I will work with you to understand why you feel stuck and unable to move forward. As a social worker, I pay particular attention to the communities and cultures you live in, and I especially enjoy working with the special challenges faced by immigrant families.

My adult residency in Psychiatry was at Michael Reese. My Psychoanalytic training was at the Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis. I have been a faculty member of the Institute for approximately 30 years. I have a contemporary approach to psychoanalytic treatment.

I have long interest and experience in helping people understand themselves, grow, and learn in the face of challenges. When physical concerns are present, I also draw on years of experience in science and medicine (neurology).

I value the rich understanding and opportunities for growth, that can arise in the therapeutic relationship. I draw on the tools of psychoanalysis, which I employ as and when appropriate. I value and use the related fields of neurology, psychiatry, psychopharmacology, group relations, and systems theory. I consider it in the best analytic tradition to approach each situation as new and unique. It follows that the deep and creative thought process we associate with psychoanalysis, in some applications, leads not to “traditional psychoanalysis” but rather to a unique adaptation, appropriate to the specific situation.

I’m passionate about helping people and have been working in the mental health field since 1995. Before launching my private practice, I had the privilege of working at the Community Mental Health Council on the South Side of Chicago for eight years, including serving as Director of Outpatient Mental Health and Director of Training. Prior to that, I worked as intern and postdoctoral therapist at the Asian Mental Health Clinic and Child and Adolescent Outpatient Clinic (now called Child/Adolescent Ambulatory Services) at Cambridge Hospital affiliated with Harvard Medical School. It was inspiring to be part of clinics that were invested in serving underserved populations. At the same time, I longed to do in-depth work on a more personal level. In 2005, I launched my private practice where I offer psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. I help adolescents and adults struggling with depression, anxiety, anger, trauma, abuse, relationships, loss, stress, low self-esteem, life transitions, inhibitions and illness. I have a special interest in working with diverse populations in a culturally sensitive manner. I enjoy giving people hope and helping them find their joy.

Therapy is a safe space for you to explore your past and present so you can move towards a better future. So often, the issues and feelings we need to talk about most are the ones we express least. As a therapist, I’m here to listen to you in a confidential, objective and nonjudgmental way and help you gain insight into what you truly want and need through the psychotherapy process.

I use an integrative approach that draws on various therapeutic strategies including psychodynamic/psychoanalytic therapy, interpersonal / relational therapies and cognitive behavioral therapy. I can tailor our psychotherapy work to best fit your needs and help you achieve your goals.

With more than 25 years of experience I enjoy working with people who are interested in better understanding the reasons for the problems and symptoms which are limiting their fulfillment in life. After earning my doctorate I worked in a community mental health center, taught graduate school, and opened a private practice in Wilmette. I have published and presented articles in national journals and conferences on the psychology of women, transference/countertransference,and therapeutic technique. I am very interested in the creative process, the arts, the interface of culture and psychology. In my free time I write poetry, enjoy walking my dog in the forest, cooking, reading novels, and outdoor activities such as hiking and kayaking.

I believe that each individual is unique and that therapy/analysis works best when we can develop a trusting relationship where both patient and therapist can explore the emotional experience of the patient. Together we can begin to understand the sources of problems, symptoms, and roadblocks which are interfering in more comfortable and gratifying functioning in love, work, interpersonal relationships, and the creative process. My approach is essentially a developmental one, rather than theory bound. I am flexible in using what works for each person to deepen understanding and to facilitate growth in both psychotherapy and psychoanalysis.

In choosing psychotherapy, one opens to the pursuit of awareness and authenticity. While this journey is sometimes arduous, most experience a sense of fulfillment previously unknown. Those who choose to see me often wish to uncover barriers which prevent them from living creatively, peacefully, expressively, and authentically. I aim to provide a warm, nonjudgmental atmosphere where individuals feel comfortable exploring all aspects of their being, including hidden dreams and desires. Such exploration is often accompanied with reductions in anxiety, depression, impulsivity, or inhibition.

When we approach what is with friendly curiosity, a space for what may be arises. In this deeply meaningful process, one discovers that the complexities and contradictions inherent in being human can be understood and reintegrated in the therapeutic space.

I am a recent graduate of the Adult Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Program at the Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute.

I believe in the partnership of therapy and the power of psychoanalysis.