“We are shaped by our thoughts; When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.”
-Buddha
Licensed:
Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Colorado, 2007 – present
Training:
Bachelors in Psychology/Fine Arts. University of Texas, Austin. 1990
Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy. University of CT, Storrs. 1998
Master’s in Clinical Psychology. University of CO, Boulder. 2001
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. University of CO, Boulder. 2004
APA Internship. Harvard University/VAMC. 2004
Postdoctoral Fellowship. Brown University Medical School. 2006
*All training programs were accredited.
Academic Appointment:
Formerly appointed as an Assistant Professor of Medicine and Acting Division Chief at National Jewish Health in Denver.
Taught Psychology at University of Colorado, Boulder and Brown University. Supervised APA Clinical Psychology Interns.
Clinical Experience and Background:
1990-1993. Crisis counselor on the Texas Suicide and Crisis Hotline. I learned how to be a calm and comforting presence in moments of acute crisis.
1993-1996. Marriage and family therapist in a variety of clinics as part of my training at the University of Connecticut. I assisted families with dealing with a variety of parenting issues (school difficulties, setting limits, depressed adolescents, low self-esteem, communication problems, substance abuse).
1997-1998. Brown University as a Clinical Interventionist with adolescents and families helping adolescents quit smoking and/or drinking heavily. I worked in hospital settings helping families dealing with difficult situations.
1998-2001. Denver Children’s Home as a family therapist and Treatment Leader helping families heal dysfunctional patterns and learn new ways of coping and thriving. I supervised therapists and youth treatment counselors on quality therapeutic technique.
2002-2003. Kaiser Permanente in the Eating Disorders Unit helping adolescents and adults learn new ways of coping with trauma and difficult feelings rather than using anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating.
2002-2004. In addition to Kaiser, worked at the University of Colorado helping people learn the Appetite Awareness Training system to break unhealthy eating behaviors. This is a research-based proven system (see Linda Craighead’s workbook).
2003-2004. Harvard University in the Families and Alcohol Program helping families cope with alcoholism and individuals battle addictions.
2004-2006. Brown University, provided individuals and families Cognitive-Behavioral interventions for depression, interpersonal conflict, and low self-worth.
2007-2011. National Jewish Health as a health psychologist and Acting Division Chief. Helped numerous people with chronic illness, HIV, depression, anxiety, mental health, self-worth development, smoking cessation, weight management, couples problems, and end-of-life issues.
Examples of Talks and Teaching Engagements:
Interviewed by NPR on Smoking Cessation and Pregnancy
Interviewed by ABC news on Changing Personal Health Habits
Webinar provided via CO State of Public Health on Women’s Wellness (Cancer and Smoking Cessation)
Seminars on Coping with Depression
Lectures on Behavioral Couples Therapy
Lectures on Helping Couples Dealing with Infertility
Seminar to CO Statewide WIC/Prenatal Plus Program
Training on helping patients with Chronic Health Issues
Trainings for Quitline coaches on smoking cessation counseling
Lecture provided on Lung Cancer and Smoking Cessation (NJH)
Numerous trainings on Motivational Intervention (MI) over past 15 years. MI is a highly effective counseling tool.
Numerous talks on Behavioral Couples Therapy – helping couples learn essential tools and skills to improve their relationship
Taught at CU-Boulder: Abnormal Psychology
Taught at Brown: courses on Psychopathology and The Media
Taught at CU-Denver: course on Career Development
Awards
2015 Elected CO State Representative for Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology
2010 Silver Medal. National Health Information Awards for QL Booklet
2007 NIDA, R01 Award for Innovative Treatment Development
2006 Brown University Research Excellence Award
2006 Senior Postdoctoral Fellow Award
2006 Sharon Chauncey Fellowship Award for Compassion/ Leadership
2004-2006 NIAAA National Training Research Award
2001-2004 National Independent Research Scholar Award (F31 Fellowship)
2003 Sigma XI Scientific Research Society for Dissertation Research
2002 University of Colorado, Boulder, Dean’s Fund for Excellence
2000 Student Merit Award from Research Society on Alcoholism
2000 University of Colorado, Boulder, Dean’s Fund for Excellence Award