As of 2009, I have maintained a private practice in Seattle for 10 years. I'm 55 years old, a native of New York City whose path to Seattle went through Chicago (college), Boston and Los Angeles. I am a committed partner and a parent. Both relationships are a source of happiness, challenge and growth.

Since my first internship in 1992, practicing psychotherapy has greatly enriched my life. It has frequently let me see people at their best, and challenged me to find my own.

Continuing Education and Professional Development

Education
In 1994, I received my Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from the University of Southern California School of Social Work in Los Angeles. It was the nation's first school of Social Work established west of the Mississippi. It's perennially ranked among the top ten schools of social work nationally in the annual U.S. News and World Report ratings. The School is well known for its excellence in clinical training.

Professional Development: Couples
Like most other therapists, I work with individual clients (about a third of my practice), and develop skills in that area. But my ongoing training and development is heavily focused on my couples practice. I believe this is necessary in order to work effectively with you and your partner.

I don't believe in mixing therapeutic approaches, otherwise known as being "eclectic". One cannot see people accurately through several - or alternating - lenses simultaneously. My orientation is "systemic" in nature and this approach is sometimes referred to as "family systems". Yet even this term is somewhat generic.

I used to practice an approach that uses a research model to educate how partners "should" communicate. This model bypasses how relationships really work. I see the learning process in developmental terms, reflecting choices that can be traced back through an entire life.

From 1998 until 2004, I trained with David Schnarch in three week-long intensive workshops, plus three additional 1 and 2 day workshops*. I consulted monthly for two years with his clinical partner, Ruth Morehouse, Ph.D. I have been consulting with James Maddock, Ph.D. for four years, and have been in two week-long practicums with him and his partner Noel Larson, Ph.D. Additionally, I have maintained two peer consultation groups with other clinicians of advanced training, for eight and three years, respectively. These meet monthly and quarterly.

Additionally, I have maintained two peer consultation groups with other clinicians of advanced training, for eight and three years, respectively. These meet monthly and quarterly.

Other Professional Activity
I maintain continuing education in professional ethics, trauma, neurobiology and grief.

I am the President of the Board of Directors of the Washington State Society for Clinical Social Work (wsscsw.org) serving through June 2010. I have been a member for ten years. I am a member of the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, a leading organization for critical incident response.

I recently completed the program launch for the Veterans Outreach Project, which provides free and lower cost psychotherapy to active duty and veteran individuals and families who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Clinical Social Work and Licensure
The LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker) is the highest level of licensure for Clinical Social Work in Washington State. To learn more about this licensure, see Resources.

In the U.S., Clinical Social Work is the single largest profession providing private mental health services. It should not be confused with social work services provided in institutional settings, such as in hospital discharge planning, or in local government child/adult protective services, For more information, see "WSSCSW" in Resources.

* (References to 'training' with Dr. Schnarch are contractually required to be specific in nature.)