Professional Experience
Broad Experience:
I am a seasoned therapist and coach who has been helping people make desired changes in their lives for over 25 years. Before starting my private practice, I developed expertise in a wide variety of areas through working in programs and clinics specializing in: mood disorders, eating disorders, sleep disorders, pain management, substance abuse, alcoholism, smoking cessation, diabetes, cardiac rehabilitation, bariatric surgery, bladder problems, GI issues and aging.
Specialized Experience in Weight and Eating Issues
Specialized Experience in Weight and Eating Issues:
I have multidisciplinary experience and education in weight and eating concerns. In addition to my specialized training as a psychologist, I am certified to provide nutrition education, fitness instruction, healthy lifestyle coaching, as well as mindful eating and meditation training. Below is a chronology of my career development in this area:
In 1992, when graduating from college at UVA, I became c ertified to teach aerobics and fitness and have taught five or more classes per week since then. In 1994, while a doctoral student at UCLA, I ran an “Intuitive Eating” weight-loss program at the VA Medical Center (Los Angeles, CA) before moving to the East Coast for my post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA). There, I was mentored by internationally-renowned experts in obesity treatment, binge eating, body image and bariatric surgery and was a clinician for NIH-funded trials of innovative weight-loss approaches. I have since conducted over 300 psychological assessments for clients preparing for bariatric surgery.
In 1999, I moved overseas (London, England) and created a smoking-cessation program that would help people avoid gaining weight when they quit smoking. In 2001, I became Senior Psychologist for a comprehensive adult weight loss program at the Cooper Institute (Dallas, TX). While at Cooper, I also began teaching nutrition courses and became certified in healthy lifestyle coaching.
In 2005, I came to New Jersey and founded the award winning Healthy LIFE Pediatric Weight Management Program at Barnabas Health (Livingston, NJ). After 8 years as Director of Healthy LIFE, I moved this child and adolescent program to my private practice. I now work with one young person at a time, coaching and educate them (and sometimes their family). I want young people to master healthy and effective weight management strategies so they will avoid extreme diets and be less likely to develop eating disorders. I also work to improve their body acceptance and confidence.
Since 2009, I have been in private practice. I primarily provide individual treatment for adults and adolescents. I provide long term solutions for weight management, emotion management, stress and anxiety management and eating disorders. My clients gain freedom from destructive habits of emotional eating, restrictive eating, binge eating, bulimia and/ weight obsession. I also run groups supporting this individual work.
Relevant Life Experience
Relevant Life Experience
I struggled with weight as a child and was put on diets such as “Weight Watchers” from the age of 9. Starting in middle school, I lost weight but developed disordered eating patterns. My symptoms took different forms during various stages of my life but persisted for a number of years into adulthood. My desire to enjoy eating without guilt, regret or anxiety and to be free from obsession with my weight and body shape prompted me to read, practice and learn as much as I could about treatment approaches that truly help. My own full recovery from disordered eating and distorted body image inspired my career-long commitment to share what I’ve learned and help others through their struggles.
Another major accomplishment in my private life was to navigate an amicable divorce after 17 years of marriage. This renewed my early-career interest in working with people struggling with relationship issues or navigating various stages of divorce. Also, my twin teenage sons and two younger step sons help me better understand many of the parenting challenges that my clients are experiencing.
Education
Education
Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Obesity and Eating Disorders
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (UPenn, 1998-1999)
PhD in Clinical Psychology
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA, 1998)
UCLA is considered one of the best and most competitive psychology training programs available. Frequently, the Top Ranked Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program in the nation.
Doctoral Thesis: Obesity Treatment in Women
MA in Clinical Psychology
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA, 1993)
Master’s Thesis: Conflict in Couples
Mentored by co-pioneer of Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT)
BA, University of Virginia (UVA, 1990)
- Interdisciplinary major in "Critical Thinking"
- Psychology major
Salutatorian
Bronx High School of Science, NY (1985)
Certifications and Special Training:
- Trained to provide Mindful Eating and Meditation courses
Intensive retreat with Jan Chosen Bays, author of Mindful Eating - Certified Fitness instructor and personal trainer
Certified by AAFA, Power Pilates, Water-Art Fitness - Nutrition educator and “Active Living Everyday” Coach
Certified at The Cooper Institute, Dallas, TX.
APA Accredited Clinical Internship
Long-Beach VA Medical Center, CA (1997-1998)
Rotations included:
- Substance Abuse
- Primary Care (Depression, Anxiety, Psychosis, Healthy Lifestyles)
- Pain Management
- Geriatrics and Neuro-psychology
- Cancer and HIV
Awards
Specialized Experience in Weight and Eating Issues:
I have multidisciplinary experience and education in weight and eating concerns. In addition to my specialized training as a psychologist, I am certified to provide nutrition education, fitness instruction, healthy lifestyle coaching, as well as mindful eating and meditation training. Below is a chronology of my career development in this area:
In 1992, when graduating from college at UVA, I became c ertified to teach aerobics and fitness and have taught five or more classes per week since then. In 1994, while a doctoral student at UCLA, I ran an “Intuitive Eating” weight-loss program at the VA Medical Center (Los Angeles, CA) before moving to the East Coast for my post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA). There, I was mentored by internationally-renowned experts in obesity treatment, binge eating, body image and bariatric surgery and was a clinician for NIH-funded trials of innovative weight-loss approaches. I have since conducted over 300 psychological assessments for clients preparing for bariatric surgery.
In 1999, I moved overseas (London, England) and created a smoking-cessation program that would help people avoid gaining weight when they quit smoking. In 2001, I became Senior Psychologist for a comprehensive adult weight loss program at the Cooper Institute (Dallas, TX). While at Cooper, I also began teaching nutrition courses and became certified in healthy lifestyle coaching.
In 2005, I came to New Jersey and founded the award winning Healthy LIFE Pediatric Weight Management Program at Barnabas Health (Livingston, NJ). After 8 years as Director of Healthy LIFE, I moved this child and adolescent program to my private practice. I now work with one young person at a time, coaching and educate them (and sometimes their family). I want young people to master healthy and effective weight management strategies so they will avoid extreme diets and be less likely to develop eating disorders. I also work to improve their body acceptance and confidence.
Since 2009, I have been in private practice. I primarily provide individual treatment for adults and adolescents. I provide long term solutions for weight management, emotion management, stress and anxiety management and eating disorders. My clients gain freedom from destructive habits of emotional eating, restrictive eating, binge eating, bulimia and/ weight obsession. I also run groups supporting this individual work.
Relevant Life Experience
I struggled with weight as a child and was put on diets such as “Weight Watchers” from the age of 9. Starting in middle school, I lost weight but developed disordered eating patterns. My symptoms took different forms during various stages of my life but persisted for a number of years into adulthood. My desire to enjoy eating without guilt, regret or anxiety and to be free from obsession with my weight and body shape prompted me to read, practice and learn as much as I could about treatment approaches that truly help. My own full recovery from disordered eating and distorted body image inspired my career-long commitment to share what I’ve learned and help others through their struggles.
Another major accomplishment in my private life was to navigate an amicable divorce after 17 years of marriage. This renewed my early-career interest in working with people struggling with relationship issues or navigating various stages of divorce. Also, my twin teenage sons and two younger step sons help me better understand many of the parenting challenges that my clients are experiencing.
Education
Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Obesity and Eating Disorders
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (UPenn, 1998-1999)
PhD in Clinical Psychology
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA, 1998)
UCLA is considered one of the best and most competitive psychology training programs available. Frequently, the Top Ranked Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program in the nation.
Doctoral Thesis: Obesity Treatment in Women
MA in Clinical Psychology
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA, 1993)
Master’s Thesis: Conflict in Couples
Mentored by co-pioneer of Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT)
BA, University of Virginia (UVA, 1990)
- Interdisciplinary major in "Critical Thinking"
- Psychology major
Salutatorian
Bronx High School of Science, NY (1985)
Certifications and Special Training:
- Trained to provide Mindful Eating and Meditation courses
Intensive retreat with Jan Chosen Bays, author of Mindful Eating - Certified Fitness instructor and personal trainer
Certified by AAFA, Power Pilates, Water-Art Fitness - Nutrition educator and “Active Living Everyday” Coach
Certified at The Cooper Institute, Dallas, TX.
APA Accredited Clinical Internship
Long-Beach VA Medical Center, CA (1997-1998)
Rotations included:
- Substance Abuse
- Primary Care (Depression, Anxiety, Psychosis, Healthy Lifestyles)
- Pain Management
- Geriatrics and Neuro-psychology
- Cancer and HIV