Background

I have been in private practice since 1981. I have taught, trained, and supervised other mental health professionals. I hold a diplomate from the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress and was Chairman/co-Chair of the Victim Treatment Committee of the Los Angeles County Psychological Association for 10 years. I am on the advisory board of Break the Cycle, a non-profit organization dedicated to education, advocacy, and intervention in stopping teen dating violence. I have earned and maintained the American Psychological Association's Certificate of Proficiency in the Treatment of Alcohol and Other Psychoactive Substance Use Disorders. I am a Supervisor and Certified Bioenergetic Therapist, integrating bioenergetic analysis, modern psychoanalytic psychotherapy, and other psychotherapeutic modalities since 1974. Special study has been in the area of issues relating to gay, lesbian, and bisexual life, growth, development, coming out, being out, relationships, and homophobia. For several years I have also saw people in medical settings where patients were recovering from illnesses including strokes, Alzheimer's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, or various other conditions affecting their mind and their emotions. I served several terms on the Boards of the Los Angeles Society of Clinical Psychologists and the Los Angeles Chapter of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.


Personal Statement
Overview

My primary interest in therapy has been in helping people to find and be their true Self. It's like in the commercial: be all you can be. This means looking at who you really are, the relationships you are in, and what stops you from having the life you want. It also means getting help in learning what isn't working, understanding why it's not working, and changing things so your life does work for you.

I see therapy as a process of self-discovery: a careful, supportive exploration of how you act, think, feel, and relate to others today and how those all have been affected by your life experiences. It is also an opportunity to grow and develop new and more effective ways of interacting and communicating in your relationships. In therapy with me you may gain the awareness that comes from understanding, the freedom from outmoded patterns of acting and reacting, the strength to tolerate life's pains, and the capacity to tolerate its pleasures. The result is what I think we all want: the ability to feel good about yourself, to enjoy yourself, and to have satisfying relationships with others.


Victims of Violent Crime

If you or a family member have been a victim of violent crime, I give you a place where you can feel safe and where you can honestly and openly talk about what happened to you or your family member and how it still effects you, even when your friends and family don't want to or can't stand to hear about it any longer. I will help you to understand why you are reacting as you do, even when you may feel out of control and maybe even a little crazy. I will also give you ways to work through the psychological and emotional impact of what happened and to help you get your life back. People often discover new skills, strengths, and internal resources that either they never knew they had or that they have only now developed. I also want you to know that if you or your family member is a victim of violent crime, you may be eligible for therapy at no cost to you.


Gay/Lesbian Issues

While I work with heterosexuals, as most psychologists do, I also work with many gay, bisexual, or lesbian people, both individually and in couples. Some people come in because they are questioning their sexual orientation. You may be in a process of self-examination and self-discovery, and you will be the one to decide what your sexual orientation and identity is rather than have me or anyone else tell you what it is. You may be in a process of coming out, and together we can consider if, when, how, and with whom you decide to do that. I will be your sounding board, your dis-information advocate, your guide, and your ally.

Sometimes, though, people come in being very clear and comfortable with their sexual orientation, whatever that may be. If you are looking for a safe place where you can be open about who you are, use honest words like "he" when referring to your male partner, talk candidly about your sexual practices, and maybe also frankly discuss how HIV has impacted your life or your relationships, then I'm happy to be able to give that to you.


Addictions (Substances and Behaviors)

People often recognize that they may have difficulty with alcohol or drugs, though frequently they also need some help to evaluate how great that difficulty is or isn't and what they might be able to do about it. You might be asking some of the same questions about some of your behaviors as well, such as computer or Internet usage, online porn, sexual behaviors and compulsions, gambling, spending, TV watching, eating, cutting, or any other thing you do that somehow feels questionable or possibly out of control in you life, including some of the ways you interact with other people. Some people even feel like they are addicted to another person, what sometimes has been referred to as "love addiction." Many people have found it extremely helpful to begin examining with me how looking at some of the things in their life from a perspective of addiction may add understanding and avenues for change and resolution.


Mind/Body

My education and my own therapy have taught me that the mind and body are functionally identical. What you think can affect how you feel, and what you feel affects how think. So, I work at both levels, with people who are interested in doing that. In addition to traditional talk therapy, I am also able to work somatically (with the body) to help you resolve your emotional problems, discover deeper levels of understanding and resolution, and realize more of your potential for pleasure and joy in living. In my own life, my focus on the somatic aspects has enabled me to feel more alive, connected, and integrated, and I am glad to provide you with an opportunity to find that for yourself too. For people who aren't interested in the somatic work, I am happy to stay strictly in a talk-therapy mode.


Conclusion

I see my role as an ally, guide, and navigator on your journey. I have made my own journey of self-exploration, and I see myself as continuously pursuing that voyage. I can offer support and encouragement when the going is rough, and I can also share in your pleasures and joy in living. I can help with identifying and working through obstacles, and I will work with you to increase your sense of internal harmony, to enhance your ability to relate to others honestly, openly, and deeply, and to help you feel more productive, effective, and joyful in everyday living. You set the course, and I'll help you get there.


Services
Brief to Long-term Therapy
Adults, Adolescents, Children
Individuals
Couples
Families
Expert Witness Consultation
Critical Incident Stress Debriefing
Corporate & Organizational Consulting
Executive Coaching
Areas of Expertise
Depression
Anxiety
Stress
Relationships
Self-Esteem, Insecurity, Empowerment
Life Transitions
Addictions
- Substances
- Alcohol
- Cocaine
- Marijuana
- Party Drugs
- Other
- Behaviors
- Compulsive Sex (Sex Addiciton)
- Porn
- Computer Use
- Gambling
- Spending
- Eating
- Relationship Addictions
- Co-Dependency
- Others
- Families of Addicts
- Adult Children of Alcoholics (& of other addictions)
Trauma/PTSD
- Victims of Violent Crime
- Rape
- Domestic Violence
- Adults Abused/Molested as Children
- Natural Disasters
- Accidents
- Injuries
Gay/Lesbian Issues
Mind/Body
- Somatic Psychotherapy
Grief & Loss
Impact of Aging (Parents & Children)

Office Information:

Office is close to major transportation and not far from freeways.

PLEASE NOTE: The office is on Beverly DRIVE and NOT on Beverly BOULEVARD. The SOUTH Beverly Drive means that it is SOUTH of Wilshire and NORTH of Olympic.

PARKING is available at meters on the street, in the free public parking structure one block north of the office, free on some side streets, and in paid lots nearby.

Please call (310) 772-0520 if you have any questions and to schedule an appointment.

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