Gottman Referral Network

About

After receiving my graduate training as a School Psychologist back in 1965, I worked as a clinicial with children and teenagers and their families for over five years at The Jewish Board of Children and Family Services. I felt limited by my lack of education and training to help people as much as I wanted to and returned to get my doctorate degree in Psychology and my certificate traing in Psychoanalysis. Afterwards I served as Clinical Director of a therapeutic school for children and teens and I worked as a psychologist at mental health clinics. In 1980 I opened my private practice which has continued to today. I trained for many years with the creators of Modern Group therapy Drs. Hyman Spotnitz and Louis Ormont. Along the way I became Chairman of Training for many years at The Washington Square Institute for Psychotherapy, and adjunct faculty at New York University. I developed a specialization in adoption and in 1995 I founded along with Dr. Ken Watson and Dr. Betty Jean Lifton the National Association of Adoption Counselors. I have since adopted a child of my own along with my three other children. My desire to expand my abilities to be even more helpful to the individuals, couples and families that I work with led me to the Gottman Method of Couples Therapy which I am now specializing in after studying intensely with Drs. John and Julie Gottman. Their methodology and scientifically validated knowledge and methodology enriches my work. My work is also informed by my training with Dr. Sue Johnson in Emotionally Focused Therapy for CouplesMy approach is guided by my education, training and over thirty years of clinical experience and through understanding, interaction, support, exercises & techniques along with practical feedback I work to help my clients to achieve their goals. I conduct couples therapy, individual therapy, conjoint treatment and group psychotherapy

I generally begin by getting to know you both and developing an understanding of your concerns, issues and relationship and establishing a common shared vision for the relationship and the treatment, which incorporates the desires of both partners and the specific goals you want to achieve. The treatment office is designed to be a safe haven, where problems can be discussed without fear of pain, judgment or retribution and where new skills and approaches can be leaned and practiced; the goal is to advance your ability to communicate with each other with care and understanding and my role is to help you both accomplish that with sincerity, understanding, support and helpful feedback. The office is a living laboratory, a place where you can really look at and understand how you relate to and impact each other and to explore different styles, interventions and techniques of communication and relatedness - opportunities to change hurtful and destructive patterns and create stronger, more open and meaningful connections.

Special populations

Adoptive and blended families; committed couples with relationship problems, separated parents raising children jointly. I work children, teenagers, adults and senior citizens. I use a service dog in situations where it's therapeutic.