Committed to Excellence

My 30-year professional career as a therapist, educator, executive, and consultant continues to be deeply fulfilling.

Early in my career, I worked at a residential school for boys, caring for inner-city children, ages 5-19. Each had been hardened by life at an early age through poverty, deprivation, pain, and abuse. Their chances of growing into successful adults had seriously compromised, and few people believed in them. But I did — and still do. I was always amazed how they responded to consistent affection, fair treatment, and a supportive environment.

This experience set the stage for me. Everyone, at every age, deserves to be treated with respect, justice, and fairness. This has been the bedrock of everything I have done in my career since.
From the time I entered graduate school at the University of Connecticut School of Social Work, all I wanted to do was become a therapist, to try to make a real difference in the lives of others. To offer realistic hope when my clients couldn't see it. To point out and defend their capabilities and the evidence from their lives that they could change the course of their future. Sometimes these changes are small — a new job, relationship, or hobby. And sometimes, they are much larger victories — overcoming an eating disorder, leaving an abusive relationship, or finding recovery and hope.

I have learned from experience that almost anyone can move from hopelessness to hopefulness. It takes courage to face the most emotional parts of our minds and lives, but it can be done. The values that guide my work include a commitment to help my clients realize and use their strengths and possibilities. My goal is simply for them to be happier, for themselves, as well as for those they care about.