Education and Certification:
- Ph.D. Clinical Psychology (Syracuse University)
- Ph.D. Medical Sciences (University of S. Florida College of Medicine)
- Certified Life Coach (Dipl. L.C., Life Coaching Institute)
I am a clinical psychologist who teaches and also sees clients. Psychology is my second career. After working as a professor and research scientist in the area of high blood pressure biology, I decided I didn’t want to work with rats anymore, however, I did want to continue my understanding of health and well-being, but from a more psychological perspective, and so I retrained in clinical psychology, studying the relationship between personality, stress and health in women. I was able to shape and build a career that gave me a unique perspective, opened the door to new opportunities, and allowed me flexibility and growth. Most important, I am passionate about, and love what I do.
I have had extensive clinical experience in a variety of settings. I am licensed in RI and have been in private practice in the Providence area for several years. I also have worked in hospital-affiliated adult and child psychiatry outpatient and inpatient services, a university psychological services center a veteran’s hospital, and a community mental health outpatient clinic. I have provided outpatient and inpatient psychotherapy to clients suffering from a wide array of mental disorders. In addition to various mental disorders (mood, anxiety, eating, and personality disorders), I have worked with patients in individual therapy on health issues such as HIV prevention and AIDS, obesity/gastric bypass evaluation, cancer, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome. I also have had experience providing psychiatric consultation-liaison and rehabilitation psychology services in a medical setting. For example, I have been involved in the integrated treatment of those suffering from stroke, traumatic brain injury, concussion, diabetes, spinal cord injury, and those being evaluated for cardiac rehabilitation. I have worked with interdisciplinary teams, providing clients with psychoeducation (e.g., risk factors, diet, weight control, exercise, smoking cessation, medication compliance), family education/therapy, and stress management. I am constantly striving to deliver culturally-competent clinical services, and to better my understanding of the issues and needs unique to diverse populations.
My research combines my training in medical sciences and clinical psychology, embracing the biopsychosocial model of health and disease. At the broadest level, my clinical research has focused on health psychology and behavioral medicine interventions. My most current research involves the development of a intervention designed to improve enrollment in cardiac rehabilitation in women following a hospital stay for a heart attack or bypass surgery.
I have published over 30 articles in the areas of high blood pressure,stress and women's health, and have given over 50 talks on my research, and other areas such as mentoring women, successful aging, and career advancement. Last, as a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and a student of Zen, balance and mindfulness are an important part of my life.
