About Me

I received a bachelor’s degree with a major in philosophy, from UCLA. As an undergraduate, I was accepted into a paraprofessional training program under the tutelage of Edwin S. Shneidman, an eminent psychologist. This experience changed my trajectory from philosophy to a career in psychology.
Next, I earned an M.A. degree in psychology from California State University, Los Angeles, and a Ph.D., in an American Psychological Association (APA) approved clinical psychology program, from the University of Manitoba.
My predoctoral internship (also APA-approved), at Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Center in Culver City, emphasized crisis intervention, gerontology, adult psychotherapy and consultation, education and prevention. I completed a postdoctoral fellowship—in behavioural medicine – with Cynthia D. Belar at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Los Angeles. I then received my license to practice in the State of California (#PSY 11283).
I have been practicing clinical and health psychology in the Bow Valley for 20 years and am Registered in the Province of Alberta (#2081).
My Approach to Therapy
Clinical psychologists are behaviour change experts. While therapeutic, meaningful change is not always easy, it is possible. I make every effort to ensure that my interventions conform to the current scientific knowledge of how people change and heal, while tailoring approaches to individual needs, propensities, and cultural perspectives.
Psychoeducation, creative problem solving, insight, and efforts to help people diversify coping repertoires are all approaches which may be helpful – along with cognitive behavioural and existential therapies.
My general aim is to help people achieve their goals, decrease unwanted symptoms (and behaviours) and to increase positive and constructive behaviours.