05/29/09

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I am a licensed clinical psychologist with fourteen years clinical experience. I'm currently in private practice in Palm Springs, California. I have also practiced in Los Angeles, Seattle, London, and rural northern California, treating individual adults, couples, families, and children.  I am a certified parent evaluator, qualified to evaluate parents in high-conflict child custody cases and to make recommendations to the Court for residential placement of children. As such, I have been the Court’s expert in divorce and have seen and intervened with families struggling with domestic violence and various abusive situations. As an expert in divorce, I advocate for preparing for marriage thoughtfully, without losing the passion in order to prevent divorce and help couples make love last. 

   Having counseled couples at all stages of pre-marriage, marriage, and divorce, I have always been impressed by how much good can come from an effective and early intervention, and how much harm can come from missed opportunities. After years of clinical practice, I strongly believe that premarital counseling is the first best opportunity to improve the quality of life of the individuals, the couple, and their children. 

 In therapy, when dealing with a couple poised for break-up, I try to point out the relationship’s strengths that might enable them to pull through.  In dealing with pre-weds, I counsel clients to let their optimism empower them without blinding them to certain realities that affect their chances for a satisfying marriage. I find that it is helpful for couples to hear my suggestions and feedback plainly and simply, without sugar-coating, and this is also my approach in  Of Sound Mind to Marry.

       I received my Ph.D. from the California Graduate Institute in Los Angeles and my postdoctoral training at the University of Washington School of Medicine Parent Evaluation Training Program.

   Of Sound Mind to Marry is informed by my many years of working with couples and families. I hope to give partners and young parents the best first chance at growing a happy family and creating  meaningful lives for themselves.