My Approach

My approach to psychotherapy is psychodynamic and psychoanalytic. I am interested not only in what someone is struggling with, but in understanding why certain feelings, relationships, and ways of responding have become so difficult to change.

I tend to listen closely to what you tell me and to how you experience yourself and other people. I may notice patterns or connections that are difficult to see from the inside, and I will ask questions and think with you about what they might mean. I do not approach therapy with a predetermined explanation of who you are or what you should change.

The relationship that develops between us is also an important part of the work. Ways of protecting yourself, expecting things from other people, or responding when you feel vulnerable can sometimes emerge in therapy as well. When that happens, we have an opportunity to understand those patterns as they are occurring, rather than only talking about them afterward.

I believe meaningful psychological change often takes time. Insight matters, but understanding something intellectually is not always enough to change it. Therapy can provide an opportunity to experience and understand yourself differently, so that ways of thinking, feeling, and relating that once seemed automatic can gradually become less fixed.

How I Work

I am active and engaged in the therapeutic process. I listen carefully, ask questions, and offer observations when I think they may be useful. At the same time, I try not to rush toward explanations or solutions before we understand what is actually happening.

Some people work with me once a week, while others meet more frequently in psychodynamic psychotherapy or psychoanalysis. The frequency and form of treatment depend on what you are looking for and what seems most useful for the work.

Training & Credentials

I received my doctorate in clinical psychology from The George Washington University. My clinical training included psychotherapy, psychological and forensic assessment, and supervision in academic medical centers, court-based settings, hospital systems, and military medical settings.

My psychoanalytic training has been with the Contemporary Freudian Society, where I completed advanced training in psychoanalysis. Earlier in my career, I completed a three-year postgraduate training program in psychodynamic psychotherapy at the Washington Baltimore Center for Psychoanalysis.

My professional experience has included work at St. Elizabeths Hospital, Fort Belvoir, and Fort Myer, as well as teaching and training responsibilities at Walter Reed. Across these settings, my work has included long-term psychotherapy, trauma and PTSD treatment, psychological and forensic assessment, and supervision of psychology trainees.

I am a licensed psychologist in Maryland and authorized to provide telepsychology in participating states through PSYPACT.