About Me
I am a PA-licensed clinical psychologist with nearly 20 years of clinical experience.
I received my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and Biological / Health Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. I have worked with individuals with eating disorders and weight concerns, anxiety disorders, depression, and health-related concerns including menopause-related changes. I completed an APA-accredited internship with the Pittsburgh VA healthcare system, working in the women's health, behavioral medicine, and anxiety clinics and receiving additional training in pain management and smoking cessation. I then completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Temple University's medical center, where I specialized in working with adults with disordered eating and body dissatisfaction, as well as individuals before and after bariatric surgery.
I have extensive training and experience with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), including CBT-E, CBT for insomnia (CBT-I, through the University of Pennsylvania), trauma-focused ACT, and compassion-focused practices and mindfulness. I also have a longstanding personal mindfulness practice.
Prior to establishing a private practice, I was a tenured faculty member in an APA-accredited doctoral program in clinical psychology. I trained and supervised doctoral students in the assessment and treatment of adults with eating- and weight-related concerns, anxiety, mood difficulties, and health conditions, taught undergraduate and graduate courses, conducted and supervised clinical research, and presented across multiple professional settings.
My research interests include the role of emotions, stress, marginalization and trauma in eating and health behaviors, the role of mindfulness and self-compassion in body image and health, and the prevalence and prevention of weight bias and stigma. I am the author of several peer-reviewed journal articles in the areas of stress, eating, mindfulness and health.
In addition to my experience as a therapist, I draw from my career as a clinical supervisor, clinical researcher, and teacher to ensure that you are receiving the best possible treatment. As a clinician who highly values the intricate link between research and clinical practice, I use up-to-date research on effective interventions to inform my practice.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and two children, reading, and doing anything outdoors, especially hiking and running. I also sing in a choir, love dark chocolate, am an animal lover, and enjoy sitting on my porch in the morning with a hot cup of coffee.
I hope that you will reach out to me so that I can support you in the next steps of taking care of yourself. I look forward to connecting with you.