402-235-8128
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
I received my BA in psychology in 1982 (Mount Holyoke College), my MA in human development in 1984 (University of Kansas) and my PhD in clinical psychology in 1989 (West Virginia University). I completed my pre-doctoral internship in clinical psychology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 1989.
After obtaining my doctorate, I was a member of a Connecticut private practice group then a staff psychologist at Children's Hospital (now Nationwide Children's) in Columbus, Ohio. I worked with children, adolescents and adults at Children's Hospital and Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska from 1993 to 2023. My private practice opened in 2017 and was dedicated to working with adults. On January 1, 2023, I was able to shift to full-time private practice with older adolescents and adults.
I received specialized training via the University of Pennsylvania Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety for the treatment of trichotillomania (hair pulling), tics, and obsessive compulsive disorder. I completed the International Obsessive Compulsive Foundation Behavior Therapy Training Institute. I also participated in an observership at Mayo Clinic in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology as a visiting professional in the OCD intensive outpatient treatment program in 2019.
Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs) are quite common and include trichotillomania (hair pulling), nail picking/biting, skin picking, lip/cheek biting, tongue chewing, etc. I completed the TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors Professional Training Institute.
I utilize evidence based cognitive-behavioral therapy (including exposure and response prevention) integrating mindfulness strategies and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). I completed a 2022 ACT "bootcamp" training with founder Steven Hayes, PhD.
I completed basic training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) via the University of Pennsylvania in 2024.
I strongly believe treatment is a collaborative process with the therapist and client working together to determine the best course of treatment and to jointly resolve hurdles along the way.