Degrees
Ph.D University of Wisconsin (Sociology, National Institute of Mental Health Fellow). MSW Hunter College School of Social Work, New York; LMSW License #04-3110
My Expert Service
I have 28 years of experience as a licensed psychotherapist and 14 years as a life coach and have also helped over 1200 online clients address a wide variety of issues since 2010. I am particularly skilled in providing counseling for relationship difficulties in marriages and dating (e.g., conflict, infidelity, divorce, and breakups) and within families, friendships, and the workplace, as well as virtually all sexuality issues affecting people of all ages and orientations, i.e. LGBTIA.
I also provide advice on personal problems such as anxiety, (including social anxiety), OCD, and depression, substance abuse, anger management, jealousy, guilt, insomnia, bereavement (including recovering from breakups, divorce, infidelity), and career issues, among others.
I can counsel those who are concerned they might have a severe psychiatric disorder such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, or sociopathy, among others, as well as those close to them. I am also able to be helpful to those already being treated by a psychiatrist, but who need help in handling daily challenges in social and work life.
My advice will always be based on the best scientific evidence when it is relevant, and careful consideration of all your options when you are faced with a dilemma. No person can predict the future, but I can give you a strong indication of the wisest path to take when you must make decisions.
I have published in academic journals and magazines on a wide variety of topics, including work in the area of social deviance that has been featured in anthologies and widely cited by scholars in the field. Most recently, I have written articles for the Huffington Post on relationship problems.
I recognize that all of us have circumstances that may prevent our totally transforming our lives to match our wishes. However, we need not simply be prisoners of our past or present constraints and often can make changes even when we feel helpless to do so. After clarifying a client's situation, I primarily focus on examining the thoughts, feelings, and actions that can hinder achieving his or her goals. All three can often be modified and produce dramatic effects.
I believe a great deal can be accomplished in a very short time if clients are open to thinking and acting in new ways. After a session, I often write follow-up emails, as I don't feel my work complete if I have additional thoughts or suggestions. I also encourage free post-session questions from clients as well as updates from them on their progress.
Finally, because of my sociological training and broad knowledge of world cultures, I am well-equipped to help people from societies where they feel their problems will not be understood, receive sympathy, or handled appropriately.
The majority of my clients are from the United States, but I have also worked successfully with clients from more than 50 other countries: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Czech Republic, Russia, Malta, Cyprus, Greece, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Turkey, China, Japan, Mongolia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and the Virgin Islands. While many of these clients had problems that are universal, some faced special cultural or social obstacles.
Experience & Qualifications
Licensed psychotherapist in mental health clinics and private practice since 1991; Life Coach since 2004, trained by MentorCoach; Sociology professor at University of California, Santa Barbara and Queens College, CUNY; Mediator in the New York City municipal court system handling interpersonal disputes among neighbors, co-workers, and others. Trained by the Queens Mediation Center, New York City.