• Anxiety
• Depression
• Obsessive or compulsive behaviors
• Trauma/PTSD
• LGBT concerns
• Grief and Loss
• Relationship Difficulties
• Family Difficulties
• Sexual Dysfunction
• Life Transitions (marriage, divorce, parenthood, relocation, etc)
• Self-esteem and self-compassion
• Communication Skills
• Emotion management skills

Since my days in graduate school, I have maintained a strong interest in understanding how psychotherapy can promote deep and lasting change in a time-efficient way. I have advanced training in two specific contemporary models of psychotherapy called Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) and Time-Limited Dynamic Psychotherapy (TLDP), and my technical approach is rooted in affective, cognitive, experiential, and mindfulness-based techniques derived from cutting edge psychotherapy research.

I approach psychotherapy with the belief that all human beings have the potential for healing and self-righting, and tapping into that potential begins with the establishment of a secure and collaborative therapeutic relationship. I understand that in order to explore deeply personal, private, and often painful thoughts and feelings, my clients must feel safe and not alone. As we begin our work together, I will want to learn about your current concerns as well the cultural, familial, interpersonal, and life experiences that have shaped how you see yourself, others, and the world.

I believe that in the context of a secure therapeutic relationship, emotions are a key element in healing. Thoughts have long been given an important role in mental health and distress; however, recent research has shown that emotions have an equally if not more fundamental role. Emotions are wired into our biology and provide important data about our needs and goals in any given situation. They are with us at all times, although we may not be aware of them, and they exist across all cultures and in all human beings.

Many of us learn early in our lives to fear feelings especially when they have been scary, painful, or just too big to handle alone. As a result, we go on to put a tremendous amount of energy into avoiding our feelings, tying up vital energy and disconnecting ourselves from a crucial source of guidance. Importantly, human beings are not designed to experience emotions alone, and psychotherapy provides exactly the kind of relationship necessary to reconnect with our emotions, learn to name and regulate them, and utilize the information inherent in them to steer ourselves toward a fuller life.

Adolescent males and psychotherapy may sound like they mix as well as oil and water. However, adolescent males are in many ways far more vulnerable to difficulties and in need of guidance than their female peers. When I first started working with adolescent boys in psychotherapy, my colleagues used to say: "Boys in therapy? They never talk and they act out all the time. Ugh, you can have them!" While this stereotype may have been true for a very small percentage of adolescent males with whom I’ve worked, my experience over the last decade has shown that the vast majority of struggling teenage boys relish the opportunity to confide in a trusted adult.

I think of adolescent male clients as coming from a culture of their own; they face unique pushes and pulls from biology, culture, peers, family, school, and a host of other sources. These pushes and pulls often complicate the already challenging tasks of learning how to manage emotions, make good decisions, build appropriate self-confidence, and identify values. Psychotherapy can offer young men a space to talk about difficult matters without the fear of punishment or judgment and with the opportunity to develop skills like managing emotions, controlling negative thoughts, building self-esteem, and communicating effectively. In addition to working with adolescent males, I regularly consult with the parents of adolescent males and speak publicly on how to raise adolescent boys with love and limits.

Recommended readings: Raising Cain, How to Keep your Teenager Out of Trouble

I received my Psy.D. in Clincal Psychology from Rutgers University’s Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology in 2001. Since that time, I have worked in a number of university counseling centers where I gained experience in providing culturally competent brief therapy, crisis intervention, and outreach. I also maintained a private practice in central New Jersey for nearly a decade, providing assessment and psychotherapy services to adults and adolescents. In addition to providing direct clinical services, I have taught advanced graduate seminars on brief psychodynamic therapy at Rutgers University’s Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology and the PGSP-Stanford Psy.D. Consortium.

At present, I divide my time among private practice, clinical supervision, and graduate teaching at the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University. When I am not working, I love the outdoors, exercise, playing the piano, and spending time with my friends and family.

My practice is located in the Diamond Heights / Miraloma district of San Francisco, accessible via freeways and public transit. You can reach me at 415-242-9909.