I first knew I wanted to enter the profession when I was very young, it was my "what do you want to be when you grow up?"  I embarked in my studies in 1990 and double majored in Psychology and Philosophy at Boston University.  Here I was given a very strong foundation in Western Psychology.  Cognitive, Behavioral, and Abnormal Psychology were the basis of my studies at B.U.  Also at B.U. I participated in the facilitation of several experiments testing Cognitive skills and reactions, and Behavioral responses and techniques.  At this point, I felt I had a very strong understanding of the Western view of Psychology... a very linear, straightforward and often times very results oriented perspective, however this did not complete the understanding I wanted to have of how to heal.  I also wanted to incorporate a dimension that addressed the whole person (some may call this holistic)... a dimension that involved the five senses... and beyond, not just the psyche.  It was not until I moved to California in 1998 that I found the missing link.  I happened upon the term that I have grown to know and love... (but at the time had no idea what it meant)... Transpersonal Psychology.  Many people still don't know the full meaning of Transpersonal Psychology, and if you ask a Transpersonal Psychologist what it means, you may wind up with a fuzzy answer.  For me, Transpersonal Psychology incorporates all levels of the being into healing... sight, sound, taste, smell, touch and the beyond.  The beyond is the Spiritual dimension and shows up in the counseling I do (and the life I live for that matter) by getting in touch with that part of us that is also a part of something greater.  Please visit my Transpersonal page to learn more...

I have extensive experience working with addictions, and adolescents with addictions.  My experience has ranged from working in a continuation high school to an adolescent outpatient drug program, to an inpatient transitional housing program with an emphasis on dual diagnosis (mental health disorders such as schizophrenia or bi-polar or severe depression, etc. which also are affected by and have an effect on substance use, abuse or addiction.) 

I have presented workshops on Intro. to Psychosynthesis and Psychosynthesis and Addiction at the Annual Conference for the Association for the Advancement of Psychosynthesis (AAP)
and more recently I have been a guest speaker at J.F.K. University on the topic of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and the applications of CBT within a Transpersonal framework.