DESCRIPTION OF CLINICAL PRACTICE

I have been in practice for over 35 years. I work with adults who are dealing with anxiety, depression, childhood trauma, grief and loss, relationship issues. I have a special interest in working with people around spiritual concerns.

My theoretical orientation has evolved over the years. I was trained in psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Over time, I became more appreciative of the healing power of connection, and this informed my work. And, as my involvement in Buddhism developed, my approach has become increasingly guided by Buddhist understandings of how we suffer and how we can live happier, healthier lives.

VIPASSANA/MEDITATION BACKGROUND

I have seen sitting vipassana retreats with IMS, Spirit Rock, and monastic teachers since 1995. I have done many retreats, including the 3 month retreat at IMS for 7 years. I have also sat in Burma for 2 winters with U Tejaniya. My primary teachers are Joseph Goldstein and U Tejaniya. In addition, I have received Tibetan teachings, starting in 1993, and have been on retreats at Vajrapani Institute and at Kopan Monastery in Nepal.

RELEVANT CLINICAL TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

I received my PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Michigan in 1974. My training was psychoanalytic. I have worked in hospital and clinic settings, as well as in private practice. I taught object relations theory and clinical process in Bay Area graduate schools for 20 years. I am a consultant to therapists, both individually and in groups. I have received training in clinical hypnosis and EMDR. I have also been trained as an interfaith hospital chaplain, and am serving as a lay chaplain at an inpatient psychiatric facility. I have been a Hospice volunteer for many years, serving in both bereavement counseling and care giving.

My work is inspired by the following quote by Suzuki Roshi, "To realize that things are one is a very sympathetic understanding. But how to treat things one by one, each in a different way, with full care, that I think is your practice."