Bio
I am a psychologist in the Santa Rosa Department of Adult Psychiatry. In 1993, I joined the department as a staff psychologist, after completing my postdoctoral residency the prior year. I was so pleased to have the chance to work with this great group of dedicated mental health professionals and I still feel that it is a privilege to work here. My psychiatry, psychology and social work colleagues are always interested in learning, stimulated by the development of new clinical programs and approaches, and they are a compassionate group of providers who truly care about their patients.
As a member of the adult clinical team, I provide initial assessments, individual brief psychotherapy and skill based psychotherapy groups. I feel that patients thrive with an integrative treatment approach. All of my programs have a base of mindfulness training, which is really the practice of becoming aware moment to moment and accepting the realities of our lives, from a non-judgemental stance. I use the best of western psychological approaches, including cognitive behavioral techniques, psychodynamic understanding and elements of eastern psychology. I co-lead a variety of group programs, including Mindful Mood Management for depression and a bipolar group. I have a strong interest in the treatment of anxiety disorders, and currently co-lead obsessive-compulsive groups.
My first career was in special education, working as a teacher/ resource specialist for learning disabled students, in the Belmont School District. After relocating to Sonoma County, I had the chance to work at Santa Rosa Junior College as a learning specialist in the Disability Resources Department, a relationship I continue to value, as I have had the opportunity to provide a lot of inservice training for the staff at SRJC.
Regarding my background, I grew up in southern California, attended UCLA for my BA in Psychology. I then moved to northern California to earn my MA in Special Education, from San Francisco State University. After teaching for ten years, I attended California School of Professional Psychology in Berkeley, earning a MA and Ph.D. in clinical psychology. My practical training as a psychologist included internships at the University of San Francisco Counseling Center and Sonoma County Mental Health, followed by my postdoctoral residency training here in Santa Rosa. I have continued to learn and stretch over the years and have certification in neuropsychological assessment (UC Berkeley), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (Linehan, Behavioral Technology) and treatment of OCD (OC Foundation).
If you wish to contact me, please leave me a message on my voice mail (707) 571-3731. Please leave your full name, Kaiser medical record number, phone number and good times to reach you. I will try to return your call within 24 hours. I check my messages daily, but please be aware that I am not in the office on Wednesdays.
If you would like to use e-mail to contact me, I will try to answer you, but I know that I am slower to respond to my email. I would prefer that you call me. The internet is not a secure environment for confidential information. My confidential voice mail is a more secure option.
My Credentials
Doctoral Program: California School of Professional Psychology, Berkeley, CA
Internships: University of San Francisco Counseling Center; Sonoma County Mental Health, Santa Rosa
Residency: Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Santa Rosa
Board Certification: California Board of Psychology Licensed Psychologist, PSY #13434
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