| Office: |
Counseling & Psychotherapy
1216 Whites Road
Suite 101
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
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| Phone: |
(269) 544-2460
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| Fax: |
(269) 544-2460
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| E-mail: |
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| Profession: |
Clinical Social Worker/Therapist
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| Services: |
Psychotherapy/Counseling
Coaching
Employee Assistance Counseling
Forensic Evaluations
Mediation
Psychological Evaluations
Psychological Testing
Return to Work Conference
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| Practice Description: |
Prior to private practice, I worked in the mental health field initially as a bereavement counselor, and did a tour of duty in the child abuse field. I practiced for several years in the specialty of child sexual abuse, including work with offenders. For the past decade, I have been involved with volunteer work in various other countries where I either lived or spent significant time in (Romania, Italy), and have concentrated on psychotherapy for mental health issues. My background is multicultural, and I have some facility in several languages.
My approach to counseling and therapy is centered on the belief that either process ought to promote change not only through insight, but also through the changes in the way you live. For many, counseling becomes a version of "consulting," by which the client understands the changes in thinking or behavior, but finds motivation or support lacking in making them. The complexity of today's issues that most of us face may leave us with a sensation of being overwhelmed, by which we no longer can envision solutions. Therapy is a longer-term process in which childhood issues may become a focus, with a stronger emphasis on insight. Nonetheless, as a practitioner, I focus on the immediacy of the client's needs - what is happening today is as important as yesterday.
My theoretical approach is, like many therapists, eclectic in the sense that I am familiar with a variety of techniques and approaches, and will tailor them according to the client's temperament and personality, as well as the issue under discussion. If, for example, a woman with an eating disorder describes a sense of feeling inadequate or self-loathing, a persistent image of being unattractive, and unable to control her behavior around food, I may take a more assertive stance to help her begin the process of change in small ways before working on these underlying issues. In order for counseling to be effective, you as the client must put your voice into the process, being willing to disagree and challenge me, but the primary ingredient is my respect for the privilege of sharing your private life for a short while.
I facilitate a free discussion and support group for women entitled "Women & Relationships", discussing relationships with food, family, friends, lovers in an unstructured but guided format... If you would like more information, please call my office at 544-2460. The group periodically goes on hiatus. Additionally, I facilitate a support group for people who have completed bariatric (gastric bypass and band) surgery, including those who are pursuing candidacy for surgery. Please call me for more information.
I conduct pre-surgical evaluations for those pursuing candidacy for bariatric surgery - more often my work is done in concert with a bariatric surgeon, although I can be consulted concerning questions and other concerns pertaining to this type of surgery. As noted above, I facilitate a support group which is open to candidates and post-surgical members regardless of where the surgery was performed. Location, times, and additional details can be obtained by calling my office.
Personality disturbances, depression (including perinatal/postpartum depression), and eating disorders are my three core subspecialties in my general practice as a psychotherapist. Over the past two years, I have begun working with gender issues, teaching a university course in a gender studies program, and working with clients who are either transgendered or examining gender identity issues. If you have questions about my work with and philosophy/beliefs concerning transgender issues, you are welcome to email me. While I am not transgendered, I am involved with the local support group, developing a role as a resource person and lending my own support while learning beyond the boundaries of textbooks of the complexities of life that transgendered persons face.
Of additional interest to me is the narcissistic personality disturbance and its reverberating impact on family members and significant others, and a more recent expansion of my general practice work to include perinatal/postpartum depression for which I completed specialized training.
Personality testing is available, including such tests as the MMPI-2 for which I have completed specialized training in its interpretation, and the Cattell 16-Factor Personality Test, as well as other tests that can be useful tools for adults and younger clients to understand better their areas of aptitude, strength, and vulnerabilities.
Lastly, I am an adjunct faculty for Western Michigan University, teaching a course in the Gender & Women's Studies Division, in addition to the local facilitator for the Michigan Lupus Alliance that provides quarterly meetings for those diagnosed with lupus, their families, and those who are interested in learning more about this condition.
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Practice Specialties or Interests:
(Strengths are
in bold text) |
Crisis/Trauma
Eating Disorders
Personality Disorders
Adjustment Disorder
Adoption Issues
Anxiety Disorders/Phobias
Bipolar Disorder
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Child Abuse
Co-dependency
Depression
Dissociative Disorders
Divorce/Dissolution
Dually Diagnosed Individuals
Ethnic/Cultural Issues
Gay/Lesbian Issues
Gender Identity
Grief/Loss
HIV/AIDS-related Issues
Infidelity
Life Transitions
Personal Growth
PTSD
Relationship Issues
Schizophrenia
Self-esteem
Sexual Abuse
Stress Management
Women's Issues
Pre-Surgical Psychological Evaluation
Transgender/Gender Dsyphoria
Perinatal/Postpartum Depression
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| Age Specialties: |
Children
Adolescents
Adults
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| Session Formats: |
Individual
Couples
Family
Group
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| Treatment Approaches: |
Behavioral
Cognitive/Cognitive-Behavioral
Eclectic
Existential/Humanistic
Family Systems
Feminist
Gestalt
Interpersonal
Multicultural
Narrative
Psychodynamic
Psychoeducational
Psychosocial
Rational-Emotive
Self Psychology
Social Constructionist
Social Learning
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
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| Demographic Specialties: |
Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender
Women/Feminist
Western Europe and former communist bloc citizens
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| Additional Languages: |
French
Italian
Romanian
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| Education: |
Master of Science - Clinical Social Work
University of Southern Indiana, 1998
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
University of Southern Indiana, 1996
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
University of Toronto, 1990
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| License #: |
6801084037 |
| License State: |
Michigan |
| Additional Licenses/ Certifications: |
Associate Diploma - Thanatology (Death & Dying); ACSW (Academy of Certified Social Workers) - National Association of Social Workers, a credential certifying competency according to NASW standards in independent practice |
| Professional Affiliations: |
 | National Association of Social Workers | | Association for Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders |
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| Fee Schedule: |
Please call me for more details concerning fees. Depending on the amount of time and service, fees will vary. |
| Accepted Insurance: |
Aetna
Blue Cross
CORPHEALTH
Humana
Magellan
Medicare
Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
TRICARE
United Behavioral Health (UBH)
UnitedHealthcare
PPOM, IBA, Priority Health, Blue Care Network
Additional Plans Not Listed
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| Insurance and Billing Instructions: |
Please call the 1-800 customer service number on the back of your insurance card in order to determine your coverage. You will be able to determine if you have mental health benefits, your annual deductible, and the type of provider permitted under your contract. Some plans vary under the same insurance company. My office will submit billing to your insurance company directly for your convenience. |
| Office Hours: |
by appointment |
| Driving Directions: |
Exit Oakland Drive north from Highway 94; turn right onto Whites Road. Building is located on west side (left) on Whites, a brown brick building with "Unity" sign on front lawn, with Unity Church as a landmark. Enter via the Unity Church driveway, parking at the side of this house. Suite is located on main floor. Handicapped accommodations available through courtesy of the Unity Church next door. (This practice is not affiliated with Unity Church)
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| Additional Comments: |
My practice is located as part of a "Wellness Group", with massage therapists and other wellness practitioners who practice independently. The setting has been developed with a view of promoting an atmosphere of tranquility and quiet, with a separate waiting room, in contrast to conventional professsional office suites. An outdoor garden area will be available in the spring. |
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Additional Information
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| Gender: Female |
| Accepting New Clients: Yes |
| Prescribe Medication: No |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes |
| Public Transportation: Yes |
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