In my private practice and over my 15 years as a VA clinical psychologist, I have provided therapy to countless civilians and veterans struggling with the effects of traumatic experiences or other major life events. Some were also struggling with addiction. I am well versed in the most effective psychotherapy models for PTSD, anxiety, depression, and substance use. I use a humanistic and strengths-based approach in which psychological distress may be seen as a marker of conscience and of moral values, rather than only as a psychological problem in need of “treatment.”

 

Clinical Training

I earned my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Drexel University and completed my Clinical Psychology internship and postdoctoral fellowship at the San Francisco VA Medical Center. I continue to work full-time leading a team of twelve clinicians in the PTSD outpatient team at the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center in Philadelphia. I have presented on the treatment of PTSD and moral injury at national conferences and have been interviewed by local media on these topics.

 

The Outdoors

I was drawn to the mountains from an early age and my desire to pursue skills for such adventures was the driving focus of my teenage years and my 20’s.  I worked as a field instructor and program supervisor for the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) which led to countless days in the backcountry of Wyoming, Alaska, Utah, and other western states, either leading courses or climbing with friends.  I have spent countless nights sleeping on the ground – in deep winter snow, on desert sandstone, or tucked into a bivy high on a mountain pass or ledge. I once completed a late winter traverse of Denali National Park from Wonder Lake to the toe of the Kahiltna Glacier. I have climbed technical routes on mountains from Alaska to Argentina. Many of the fondest memories of my life are from adventures in the mountains. Even now, I continue to spend as much time as possible in the backcountry, though the opportunities are now limited, and my ambitions are modest.