A Little About Myself

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and having been helping people for over 31 years. My specialties include depression and anxiety, substance abuse, both treatment and recovery, co-occurring disorders, and life transitions including early adulthood, parenting, separation and divorce, unemployment and retirement. I also work with parents of child that are differently abled and with all challenges from childhood forward including family addiction, all types of abuse, secrets, individuals with high expectations of themselves and more. I believe that change is hard and we all have blind spots. Having someone help you guide that process and expose some of those blind spots that keep you stuck helps the process move forward. I integrate use of cognitive therapy and give weekly “homework” to meet goals. I also explore patterns in childhood that impact coping with the goal of understanding yourself more and accepting the past. 

I am a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) and have worked with Department of Transportation (DOT) safety issues since 1994. I have extensive experience helping companies and their employees understand and complete the SAP process.

I have worked in the legal and correctional system, hospitals including both inpatient and outpatient treatment programs for mental health and substance abuse, crisis intervention, EAP and MRO/SAP settings and public agencies since 1986. I have been in private practice since 1994.  

I have been a trainer of education for over 25 years and facilitate topics such as Introduction into Substance Abuse Disorder’s, Intro. to 12-step programs, Defense Mechanisms, Cognitive Distortions, Personality Disorders, Relapse Prevention, and Co-occurring Disorders.

I am a board approved Supervisor for the Board of Social Work Examiners. I am also approved by the Board of Professional Counselors to supervise Drug and Alcohol Counselors.

In therapy sessions, I integrate use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and self-awareness to initiate change. I also explore patterns in childhood that impact coping with the idea of understanding yourself more and accepting the past.  I give weekly “homework” to help you meet your goals. 

In Substance Abuse Assessments I use a Drug and Alcohol Screening Tool, a Statement of Understanding, and a comprehensive interview to determine education and treatment recommendations.

I am someone who does not judge and accepts you for who you are. I have no bias in working with you regardless of your gender, sexual preference, religion, ethnicity, background and experience. I am a parent, a sister, a daughter and a mother in addition to my role as a therapist. I am the parent of both boys and girls, and have a special needs child. All of these roles influence my work with clients. I work mainly with ages 18 and up.  

I work Tuesday , Wednesday and Thursday from 6a-7p. I can see clients weekly, biweekly, monthly or as needed.  

I am located close to Rockville Pike. My office is easy to get to from upper Rockville and North Bethesda. My office has 2 doors for privacy and free parking.