My Background 

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I began my social work career in New York City during the crack-cocaine epidemic, helping pregnant women access substance abuse treatment.

Two years later, I entered graduate school at Florida State University, grateful for warm weather. After receiving my Master's in Social Work, I moved to Atlanta, worked different social work jobs, and had two children, currently 15 and 19. It is now over 20 years later and I decided it was time to take my vast experience and create my own private practice.

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Philosophy:

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I have been a social worker turned therapist for over 20 years. I bring experience, wisdom and curiosity to my practice and I continue to learn and grow from my colleagues and clients. 

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I enjoy working with adolescents and adults who are experiencing difficulty managing intense emotions and helping them and their families learn skills and strategies to cope more effectively and build a life worth living. My direct approach balances acceptance of where you are with the need for change to get where you want to be.

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The world can be an amazing/exciting and scary/ threatening place which is hard to balance for our teens and parents. Fear and anxiety often lead to avoidant and/or risky behaviors.  I am passionate about using DBT to help adults, teens and their families learn effective ways to navigate through their world. I am not intimidated by self-harm, suicidal and other risky behaviors and have extensive training in managing these behaviors through commitment to Dialectical Behavior Therapy.

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Education:

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M.S.W., Master of Social Work, The Florida State University, 1992-1993

B.S.W., Bachelor of Social Work, Saint Mary's College, 1990

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, State of Georgia, 2000-Present

Certification

​DBT-Linehan Board of Certification, Certified Clinician™

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Work Experience

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Hillside, Inc., (psychiatric residential treatment center) Supervisor, Individual, Group and Family Therapist, 2005-2017

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Pathways Transition Programs, Clinical Supervisor and In-Home Individual and Family Therapist, 1999-2005

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Emory University Department of Pediatrics Neonatology ICU at Grady Hospital, Social Worker, 1996-1999

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Murphy Harpst Children's Center Residential Treatment, Social Worker, 1993-1996

 

Little Sisters of the Assumption Family Health Services, East Harlem, NY 1990-1992

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Training:

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2005 Intensively Trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy by Behavior Tech

2008 Advanced Intensive Training with Marsha Linehan, founder of DBT.

2014 Advanced Case Based DBT Training

2016 Passed DBT International Certification Exam

2017 DBT Prolonged Exposure Therapy

2017 DBT-Linehan Board of Certification, Certified Clinician™

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