about me

 

I aim to enter the therapeutic situation with empathy and curiosity, with the hope of offering a safe and confidential space where you may explore your experience.  While treatment is individualized, the initial sessions often focus on obtaining a history of the factors bringing you to therapy.  This may include identifying symptoms and life circumstances, as well as exploring one's family of origin, social environment, and relational patterns.  Through this work, you may be able to recognize the influences that impact current functioning, contextualize the ways in which you relate to yourself and others, and increase your ability to make conscious choices.  

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My therapeutic approach is informed by contemporary psychoanalytic theory, and looks to past influences to understand identity, personality, and interpersonal functioning, while attending to the here-and-now of the therapy process.  Psychotherapy takes place within a relational framework which considers how the self is impacted, and impacts,  the other, and encourages exploration and processing of emotionally-laden experiences.  While insight is an important component of the work, enhancing coping skills and facilitating change is also emphasized. 

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Areas of advanced training include relational, psychoanalytic psychotherapy, Latina/o/é mental health, and Dialogue Therapy for couples and adult dyads.  I have worked as a clinical psychologist in the South Florida area since 2001, and offer psychotherapy, consultation, and supervision in English and Spanish.   

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education ​

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Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Clinical Psychology (1998) - Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan Master of

Master of Science (M.S.) Clinical Psychology (1995) - Barry University, Miami Shores, Florida

Bachelor of Arts with Honors (B.A.) Psychology (1987) - Florida International University, Miami, Florida

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training

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Relational Theory in Clinical Practice/Advanced Clinical Seminars (2023-2026)

The Stephen Mitchell Relational Study Center, New York, New York

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Certified Dialogue Therapist (2022)

Center for Dialogue Therapy, Stowe, Vermont

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Post-Doctoral Fellowship (1998-2000)

Program for Psychotherapy, Latino Mental Health Clinic,

Cambridge Health Alliance, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Pre-Doctoral Internship (1997-1998)

Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital, Outpatient Children and Family Clinic, and Latino Mental Health Clinic

The Cambridge Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Massachusetts​​​​​

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professional affiliations​​​​​

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Clinician Member, Florida Psychoanalytic Council

Faculty, The Center for Real Dialogue

Member, International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy.

 

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