LICENSURE

I was licensed as a psychologist in California in April, 1993.

EDUCATION

Ph.D. - California School of Professional Psychology - Los Angeles, 1990. 

B.A. - Connecticut College, 1980.  

PROFESSIONAL WORK and ACTIVITIES 

I have a full time private practice in Encino, CA.  For over 17 years, I worked in long term care settings, primarily skilled nursing facilities and assisted livings.  I provided psychotherapy to residents, led family support groups, as well as consultation and training to the staff.   

I was an Associate Clinical Professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA during 2007-2009.  I taught third year medical students in the Doctoring Program.

I am active in the local psychology community.  In 2010, I was the President of the Los Angeles County Psychological Association, an organization with over 1,100 members that year.  Prior to reaching this highest level of leadership, I held several other positions.  After 12 years of being on the Board,  currently I enjoy leading the Book Club and the Film Club.

In 2008-2009, I was the Membership Chairperson of the national organization Psychologists in Long Term Care (PLTC).  Later I represented PLTC in a multi-organizational work group that successed in establishing Geropsychology as a Board Certified specialty area of the American Board of Professional Psychology. 

I am a member of the California Psychological Association and the American Psychological Association, with division memberships in the Society of Clinical Geropsychology and Independent Practice.

In addition, I have strong interest in children's education.  I was on the Advisory Council of the Kline School in Costa Mesa for over 25 years and was on the Board of the Multicultural Leaning Center in Canoga Park. 

TRAINING IN GEROPSYCHOLOGY

From 1996 to 2013 I worked in numerous residential care settings, allowing me to understand the wide range of services and levels of care, from skilled nursing facilities and assisted living settings to independent senior housing.  

I was formally trained in geropsychology when I worked for Senior Psychology Services (renamed Vericare).  I supplemented this training with continuing education courses, joining professional associations for geropsychologists, and extensive self-study in the field.  In addition to my training and varied  experiences, my close relationship with my maternal grandmother contributed greatly to my understanding and interest in the psychological issues of older adults.

FORMAL CLINICAL TRAINING

Post-Doctoral:

 - The Erickson Center, a former program of the San Fernando Valley Community Mental Health Center, Inc. providing  residential treatment for adolescents.

Predoctoral Internships

 - Children's Hospital of Los Angeles

 - Pacific Clinics, Pasadena 

Practicum Placements:

- Clearview School, West Los Angeles 

- Hollywood-Sunset Free Clinic, Silverlake  

EARLY CLINICAL EXPERIENCES

Prior to graduate school I worked for two years as a teacher's assistant at a private special education school.  I also spent two summers working with autistic children at an overnight camp.