Los Angeles Metropolitan Area
I provide compassionate care to my patients of all ages and treat them creatively using a variety of modalities including psychodynamic methodologies, art therapy, play therapy, cooking group therapy, AAT (Animal Assisted Therapy), CBT, Studio Art Experience Group Therapy, Family reunification work, couples therapy, child development specialist, school liaison work, Confluent Educational techniques and provide a supportive environment for sharing and guidance towards making better choices more often.
Cooking Therapy is used as a tool for introspection and analysis of self through the creative modality of cooking in a supportive atmosphere. Journaling of thoughts and feelings about food, relationship to food with family of origin and family of procreation is woven into the fabric of the group work. Group dynamics will be used as a tool for knowledge and will be in the safety of therapeutic guidance. A creative cookbook will be produced and food will be made and eaten at every session. Sessions run from 6-9:30pm on Thursday evenings.
SAGE offers individual sessions and group sessions for children, adolescents and adults in my Venice art studio for self exploration and a creative approach to treatment.
Work as a volunteer for 24 years with my 6 Pet Partner Therapy dogs, (3 deceased, 3 working) on UCLA's PAC TEAM in critical care, pediatrics, oncology, Pre and Post-Op Unit, and geriatrics at Santa Monica UCLA Orthopedic Hospital and Ronald Reagan Medical Centers, locked psychiatric unit visits at Wadsworth VA Hospital, OPICA for senior Drop-off Daycare, Exceptional Children's Foundation and Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) now "Read With Me" in schools and libraries around Greater Los Angeles (El Marino of CCUSD, Vista Del Mar of LAUSD). My Pet Partners appear at UCLA and Loyola Marymount University as Stressbusters during Final Exams and also participate in the Greater UCLA Community activities as Greeters, working at large functions with UCLA Health, Festivals, and Events.
I have been the Co-Coordinator of The LA West Gourd Artisans for over a decade. We are members of The California Gourd Society. Our Patch meets once monthly and offers creative, hands-on gourd-making workshops and collegial sharing in my art studio in Venice, CA. We have over a dozen members who had enjoyed working together and learning together on a multiplicity of projects ranging from gourd pyrography, doll and mask making, sculpture, wax resist, gourd basketry, leather dyes, Shekere and gourd rain-stick making, gourd shard-cards, gourd jewelry, Huichol work on gourds, watercolors on gourds, using basketry techniques with pine needles, seaweed, Dracena Draco, raffia and embellishments and so much more. We are an exciting patch and meet the first Wednesday of each month at my Venice Art Studio from 7-9pm. All members are required to join CGS annually and pay a nominal $3.00 fee for each meeting's dues.
Private Practice specializing in child, adolescent and parenting issues. Family reunification, dissolution, blended families and adjustment problems in entrances and exits from family. School and Genetic Child issues - techer/school liaison work, IEP experience, child behavior disruptions, ADD, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Tourettes, Prader-Willi, Fragile X, Turner's Syndrome, conduct disorders, oppositional defiant disorder, OCD Adult Psychotherapy, Couples and Individual - ecelctic psychodynamic psychotherapy