I am a Child & Family and Clinical Health Psychologist, and am also board-certified in Behavioral Sleep Medicine. I work with adults and children helping them to deal with specific problems and symptoms as well as developing positive life goals.I am a practical, straight-forward professional who is committed to those I work with. My goal is to identify actions that can improve your life and translate these into concrete steps to promote emotional stability and effectiveness in dealing with daily challenges.
Other interests
Hiking and the outdoors
I am an avid backpacker. I have hiked in California (most of the John Muir and Pacific Crest trails), the upper Rockies, and in Alaska.
I spend a lot of time outdoors, exploring streams, hills, and mountains, especially in West Virginia. My latest interest is in learning fly-fishing.
Animals
I grew up on a farm in the Midwest, and I have been around and involved with animals all my life. I trained horses for many years, and I have trained many generations of dogs. Currently, I have two Samoyeds, who I’ve trained as therapy dogs, and two cats.
Baseball
My passion for the White Sox developed at an early age growing up near Chicago, and I love listening to the slow unfolding of baseball games on the radio. I am an active supporter of Bethesda’s Big Train baseball.
Professional Information
Professional Affiliations
National Institutes of Health: Visiting Fellow, Pain and Palliative Care
Maryland Psychological Association: Various Board positions, including past President (1999-2000)
American Psychological Association: Member of the Council of Representatives (Jan. 2007 – Dec. 2009)
West Virginia Psychological Association: Chair of the Professional Affairs Committee and Parlimentarian
Other affiliations include the Washington D.C. Society of Clinical Hypnosis, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Collaborative Family Healthcare Association, Massachusetts Psychological Association, Association of Practicing Psychologists of Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties, Montgomery County Mental Health Association Professional Advisory Committee, and the D.C. Sleep Society.
Research and Presentations
I am currently involved as the consulting psychologist on an NIH study on using hypnosis for pain and symptom management in sickle cell disease.
I frequently speak at professional meetings on parenting coordination, sleep disorders, smoking cessation, hypnosis, pain management, and behavioral health care.
Education and Certifications
Doctorate: University of South Dakota
Post-Doctorate M.S. in Clinical Psychopharmacology: Alliant International University/California School of Professional Psychology
Post-Doctoral Certifications: Marital Couples Therapy, and Biofeedback and Self-Regulatory Therapies, both from the Maryland Psychological Association Foundation
Board Certifications:
American Academy of Sleep Medicine: Behavioral Sleep Medicine (CBSM, number 79)
Biofeedback Certification Institute of America: Fellow, number 4195
Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards: CPQ, number 1764
Hospital Affiliations
Suburban Hospital: Senior Attending and Chair of Psychology
Holy Cross Hospital: Affiliate Staff
NIH: Medical Staff Member
Professional Licenses
Maryland: License Number 1822
District of Columbia: License Number 1296
West Virginia: License Number 478
More Information
Please see my complete CV.