Experiential Therapy in Ambler, PA

With over 30 years of experience, I create a safe environment to be heard, accepted, and challenged for true growth and happiness. My passion is working with individuals, families, and parents struggling with daily parenting and relationship issues. With a strong background in treating those with addictive behaviors, such as substance use, disordered eating, gaming, and relationship dependencies, I use an individualized, eclectic approach to treat everyone and their families individually, with care, compassion and understanding.

My career has been spent in treating persons experiencing eating and substance use disorders, PTSD, depression, anxiety, Career Difficulties, Agoraphobia, Anger Management, Divorce, OCD, Panic Attacks, Self Esteem, Social Anxiety, Grief, Social Anxiety, along with any other condition that has these ingredients present.

I earned a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Immaculata University. I have worked in outpatient settings utilizing individual and group therapy, as well as couples and family therapy. I have experience working with individuals who struggle with interpersonal and self-esteem issues, substance use and co-occurring disorders, depression, anxiety, and trauma. I believe in the power of the therapeutic relationship to help you to achieve your goals, as trust, acceptance, humor and authenticity are central to my practice.

I have worked in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings across various age ranges, developmental, and life stages. I have worked with anxiety disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders, victims of trauma, substance abuse, co-occurring substance abuse/mental health diagnoses, relational conflict, bereavement, and other behavioral diagnosis. I use therapeutic modalities, including Narrative therapy, Emotionally focused Therapy, CBT, Person Centered Therapy, systemic therapy, mindfulness and trauma focused techniques. I use an eclectic approach in effort to enable my clients to be their authentic and deepest self.

Children, teenagers, and adults all want to feel in charge of their own lives; I believe in fostering your personal growth and change despite any obstacles you might encounter. As humans, we strive to feel capable, considered, content, centered, and connected to others. I will help you realize your inherent strengths; such as, encouraging parents to feel competent in their parenting strategies; guiding children and teens to respect and understand their parents’ values and expectations; bridging gaps in communication between couples and family members; and challenging you or your child to take new, manageable risks in your life.

Many years ago I changed my life by pursuing a more fulfilling career. The concept that most inspired me was “Neuroplasticity”- That we can change the way our mind works and in so doing experience greater well-being. Negative beliefs about ourselves are generally linked to negative things that we experienced in the past, or positive things that we needed to experience but unfortunately never did. By utilizing interventions that target "what happened" or "what needed to happen but didn't" we can increase our self-worth. We can't undo "what happened" but we CAN undo the impact that hurtful experiences/relationships have had on us.

Seeking therapy takes immense strength and courage. It can feel vulnerable to trust another human with your struggles, fear, and pain. From the beginning, I will do my best to listen deeply and carefully, respecting that you have been doing the best you can with what you’ve been handed in life. I believe that our symptoms often provide information about how we have had to adapt to our circumstances. I therefore strive to honor how you have had to cope while working towards alleviating your distress and deepening your connection with yourself and others.

You feel anxious, stuck, and overwhelmed. Perhaps you’ve been told you’re “too sensitive,” or maybe that you worry or expect too much. It’s hard to feel heard and understood by those around you. You struggle to feel good enough, to have trust that things will work out. You want nothing more than to feel calm and secure in your life, but you don’t know where to begin. If any of this sounds familiar, you've come to the right place.

I am a licensed marriage and family therapist and certified sex addiction therapist as well as Level 3 EMDR practitioner. I have been been practicing for over 25 years. I have specialized in infidelity, chronic infidelity, betrayal trauma and sexual addiction treatment since 1996 with a particular interest in working with partners. I develop partners programs utilizing the trauma model which views the partner as a victim of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. My private practice office is Blue Bell, Pennsylvania where I conduct groups, individual, couples and family therapy for sexual compulsion, partners and their families.