National Health Register Certified, PsyPact provider
I received my BA in psychology in 1982 (Mount Holyoke College), my MA in human development in 1984 (University of Kansas), and my PhD in clinical psychology in 1989 (West Virginia University). I completed my pre-doctoral internship in clinical psychology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 1989.
and After obtaining my doctorate, I was a member of a Connecticut private practice group then a staff psychologist at Children's Hospital (now Nationwide Children's) in Columbus, Ohio. I have worked with children, adolescents, and adults at Children's Hospital and Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, from 1993 to 2023. My private practice opened in 2017 to work with adults, and in 2023, I combined my practices to work full-time with children, adolescents, and adults at my private practice location.
ulI received specialized training via the University of Pennsylvania Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety for the treatment of trichotillomania (hair pulling), tics, and obsessive compulsive disorder. I completed the International Obsessive Complusive Foundation Behavior Therapy Training Insitute. I also participated in an observership at Mayo Clinic in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology as a visiting professional in the OCD intensive outpatient treatment program in 2019.
Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs) are quite common and include trichotillomania (hair pulling), nail picking/biting, skin picking, lip/cheek biting, tongue chewing, etc. I completed the TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors Professional Training Institute.
I utilize evidence-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (including exposure and response prevention), integrating mindfulness strategies and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). I completed a 2022 ACT "boot camp" training with founder Steven Hayes, PhD.