My Background

Training and Education

I graduated with both my Masters and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology, an APA (American Psychological Association) accredited graduate program. I received my Psy.D. which stands for “Doctor of Psychology.” (A “Ph.D.” is a similar degree, sometimes more research-focused. A “Psy.D.” is more clinically focused in both training, education and experience.)

I am also a graduate and Member of the Psychoanalytic Institute of Northern California (PINC). PINC provides formal training in psychoanalysis.

My pre and post-doctoral training included clinical experience with cancer patients, individuals with serious mental illness, community mental health settings with adults and children, gay/lesbian/bisexual individuals and those living with HIV and AIDS. I have a background in the Arts and in Business. Additionally, I have much experience with patients from various cultural backgrounds and religions.

Teaching and Supervision

I teach candidates at the Psychoanalytic Institute of Northern California (PINC) and am faculty for the Northern California Society of Psychoanalytic Psychology (NCSSP), California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC), and Access Institute – all here in San Francisco. I supervise pre and post-doctoral interns for California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC) and Access Institute

Professional Positions
  • Past President, Psychoanalytic Institute of Northern California (PINC)
  • Director, Board of the Confederation of Independent Psychoanalytic Societies (CIPS)
  • Member, International Psychoanalytic Association (IPA) Committee on Psychoanalysis and Culture
  • Member, IPA Image Task Force
  • Past North American Vice President, IPSO (International Psychoanalytical Studies Organization – 2009-2011)
  • Past President, NCSPP (2008)
  • Chair, PINC Candidate Organization (2006-2007)
Past experience

From 1996-2000, I worked as a Psychologist for Marin County Mental Health where I provided outpatient short-term psychotherapy, brief strategic therapy to post-hospitalization patients, crisis intervention, psycho-education, clinical supervision and consultation to staff and interns. I also worked in their Psychiatric Emergency Department. In 2000, I worked as a Staff Psychologist for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, providing time-limited psychotherapy and psycho-education for individuals engaging in risky sexual behaviors.

Awards
  • Outstanding Psy.D. Dissertation (1997) – California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP)
Affiliations
  • International Psychoanalytical Association (IPA)
  • Confederation of Independent Psychoanalytic Societies (CIPS)
  • American Psychological Association (APA)
  • Division 39 (Division of Psychoanalysis), APA
  • California Psychological Association
  • Psychoanalytic Institute of Northern California (PINC)