I came of age as a therapist in the early 1980’s when the recent Women’s Liberation movement had just brought violence against women and children squarely into the public eye. Particularly sexual violence, long taboo was finally becoming exposed. Obviously it has gone in and out of the shadows since then, but that was an important “outing” that rapidly determined the direction of my work as a therapist.
I soon discovered that a vast majority of my clients came to therapy because they found relationship difficult to seemingly impossible. Long compelled by the conundrum of relationship (in part because it had been so difficult for me!) this became my specialty. I began to avidly study trauma, then barely known, as the PTSD diagnosis only came into being in 1980! When the 1990’s brought “the decade of the brain,” I became a dogged student of neuroscience, since trauma affects the ordinary function of brain and nervous system.
It wasn’t long before I learned that sexuality was a massive challenge for the traumatized and set out to add sex therapy to my tool box by becoming a certified sex therapist. Research verified that relationship and sexuality are indeed some of the most hard hit areas for the traumatized. What to do about this became my mission of the last 40 years.
I love my challenging work, continuing to see clients and couples for psychotherapy. I love writing and sharing what I continue to learn, with those too distant to visit, as sadly these problems are world wide.
In my spare time I am an avid bicyclist, baker of sourdough bread, and impassioned maker of artisan cheese. Perhaps my greatest gift as a therapist, is my attitude of undying hope and optimism. I certainly did not always have this. It was a wonderful bi-product of doing lots of personal work like the kind I do with clients now. I live happily in San Francisco with my husband of 28 years. I enjoy hearing from you!
Services I offer:
- Couples Therapy
- Psychotherapy
- Help With Sexual Issues
- Brain Training using
Neurofeedback and
Nexalin
Sexual Issues
Although sexual issues are most “easily” worked with in the couple, many individuals seek someone to talk to about sexual matters. That is also something that I do.
Couples Therapy
Relationship therapy is my specialty area, including, but not limited to sexual relationship difficulties.
Psychotherapy
People often ask me, do you also work with individuals? I do. I work in depth and specialize in trauma and neglect, and relationship issues, even if one is un-partnered at this time. I have a special interest in the whole person, which includes of course, the body.
Brain Training
Long fascinated by the brain, and how trauma and neglect affect body, brain and the nervous system in general, direct brain training methodologies are some of the most effective ways of working with trauma (and other kinds of problems) that I have found. I am Board Certified in Neurofeedback, and I also have a device called Nexalin that can be a helpful accompaniment.