About Me

I'm a compassionate person and an experienced clinician, having worked in the mental health field for over 20 years. Below is a brief vocational biography. (It does not include my extensive training from "The School of Hard Knocks for the Stubbornness-Impaired"!)

1974-1978: B.A. in Psychology and Religious Studies, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa.

1978-1981: Durham NC. Found out that a B.A. psychology graduate with honors could only get a job typing when living in a multi-university-enriched area where Ph.D.s are a dime a dozen! Worked as a secretary at the Duke Counseling and Psychological Services Center where I had the opportunity to observe several wonderful therapists with various academic credentials and theoretical persuasions – by typing up their dictations and case notes. More dues paid working in other university department settings, "go-phering" and learning about organizational politics and systems.

1981-1984: Duke University Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development. Prior to graduate training, I served as Field Coordinator for the Duke Alzheimer's Family Support Program, facilitating the formation of self-help support groups for Alzheimer's caregivers throughout North Carolina. Gave community presentations, workshops for professionals, in-service trainings and consultation to assisted living and nursing home staffs regarding older adult development, geriatric, and caregiver concerns to promote better quality of care.

1984-1992: Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Counseling Psychology (program approved by the American Psychological Association). During pre-doctoral training, completed a year of internship at Broughton Hospital, a state facility in Morganton NC providing psychiatric services for the severely and persistently mentally ill. Worked on psychiatric inpatient units and at community mental health centers serving adults and adolescents.

1992 -1993: Moved to Asheville NC to start work at Highland Hospital, a private psychiatric hospital in Asheville NC. Completed an intensive training in "Dialectical Behavior Therapy" (DBT) taught by Marsha Linehan, Ph.D., a psychologist who has promoted better treatment of individuals diagnosed with "Borderline Personality Disorder." In collaboration with multidiscipline-treatment team professionals, I provided psychotherapy for patients struggling with severe depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, dissociative, substance abuse, and eating disorders.

1994 – 2005: Weathered retrenchment of agency and hospital-based mental health services in NC, pursuing private practice. In 2000, I established my own solo practice in downtown Asheville NC, continuing to assist clients interested in DBT and work on mood, trauma, relationship, and life transition issues.

2005 – Present: Had a "life transition" of my own – moved from Asheville, NC to Marietta GA. Change happens! I maintain my primary practice, in Marietta, and regularly attend continuing education events and conferences to update my knowledge and expertise. I developed and offer classes for couples called Marriage Moxie! Please see Relationship and Marriage Resources for more details. Member of the American Psychological Association, and the Georgia and North Carolina Psychological Associations.

Thank you for your interest. I welcome the opportunity to talk further with you about you.