I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Connecticut. I have been a therapist for 24 years. I have worked as a Director of Social Work in skilled nursing facilities (nursing homes), doctor's offices and at Visiting Nurses while having a private practice. This combination has allowed me to gain insight into how our physical health affects our mental health. I use the approach that one diagnosis or problem does not stand-alone. I assist a client by using a Systems Theory approach. This is done by observing and analyzing all the systems that contribute to an individual's behavior. Together we work on strengthening those systems.
Being healthy mentally and physically work together. If the body is not healthy it will directly affect your mental health.
I work with my clients and, with their permission; work with their doctors to gain insight into how medications and physical health may be affecting the client's mental health.
I hope to be able to help people who want to see the "whole picture". The relationship with the client is one of equality and a give and take of ideas and suggestions.
I will often send interesting articles or ask that you do some observation in between sessions.
You are important... and I look forward to offering you insight into how to heal and be all you can be.
Areas of expertise : Geriatric Social Work
*Chronic illness : MS, Parkinsons, ALS, RA,
* Being a Caregiver- Ups and downs, Joys and sadness
*Aging and coping with age related mental struggles
* Financial concerns : paying for a nursing home ( Skilled Nursing Facility /SNF) how to find assistance in the home, State programs to assist
*Medicare and Medicaid: educate on how to us both to help remain in your home
*Caring for a loved one with Alzheimers and Dementia
*Self care when you are a "caregiver" It is a 24 hour a job 7 days /week
*Geriatric assessments and goals
*Helping clients advocate for the person they love that is in a Skilled Nursing Facility , SNF
*FInding the right care for your loved one: at home, in assisted living , or in a Skilled Nursing Facility
*End of life, Hospice and anticipatory grief
* Diagnosis of Cancer, Where do I go from here?
Additional areas of focus: Trauma and abuse, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Depression, Compassion fatigue, Abandonment, Adoption and foster care, Aging and geriatric issues, Attachment issues, Blended family issues, Caregiver issues and stress, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Commitment issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Dependent personality, Divorce and separation, Emptiness, Family problems, Forgiveness, Hospice and end-of-life counseling, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Midlife crisis, Money and financial issues, Mood disorders, Multicultural concerns, Personality disorders, Phobias, Prejudice and discrimination, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy
CT LCSW 004996