Welcome and thank you for checking out my new website and inquiring into the work I do. I am a social work psychotherapist in private practice in Providence, RI. Working with adults and adolescents (13 years old and up), I provide individual, couple, family and group psychotherapy within an Integrated model of care. I have recently expanded my practice to include personal and professional coaching/consultation around a variety of issues. The flexibility of this allows for evening and weekend appointments via phone, email or instant message conversation.

Credentials

Licensed as an independent clinical social worker (LICSW) in Rhode Island, I am also recognized as a Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work by the American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work (ABE). I completed my masters in social work (MSW), graduating magna cum laude from the State University of NY at Buffalo, a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited university program. Present day, I continue post-grad training in Relational-Cultural Theory through the Jean Baker Miller Training Institute at Wellesley College, MA.

Integrated Model of Care: Treatment Approach and Philosophy

My philosophy in working with others is to work within a collaborative relationship, in a way that acknowledges the strengths and competencies of individuals. From a holistic perspective, integrating the wisdom traditions of mind, body and spirit, I approach therapy with a sense of shared expertise - client and therapist both co-creating successful experience and outcome.

Within this Integrated model of care, which is strongly influenced and rooted in Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT), I specialize in the treatment of relationship issues, depression, anxiety and its' spectrum disorders, sexuality concerns (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex issues: 'coming out' issues for the individual and their families and significant others, compulsive sexual behaviors,  GLBT parents and children of GLBT parents etc.), HIV/AIDS related concerns, and alcohol and substance abuse. I am also trained as a yoga and meditation instructor and certified as an HIV counselor.

I value my learning from traditional psychotherapeutic training, Buddhist psychology, mindfulness meditation as well as the classic yogic teachings. It has been my own extraordinary growth and transformation gained through a personal yoga and meditation practice that confirms for me the relevance and crucial need, especially in these changing times of ours, for a integrated approach to care.

If of interest to a client I offer training in mindfulness meditation in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hahn, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Eckhart Tolle and Tara Brach PhD, as part of our treatment. Mindfulness meditation has been shown to be effective in helping clients regulate mood, alleviate anxiety and panic symptoms, manage stress, as well as reduce pain and its perception. In short, this approach works to increase awareness of the present moment, with acceptance creating space in the present moment to experience self-compassion and joy, all supporting a sense of full self-expression..

Recognized Trainer

I serve as an expert consultant and trainer for mental health professionals, state health institutions and community service agencies (Brown University , RI Department of Health, Butler Hospital, RI Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, including The Big Picture Company, a national education reform movement) around a variety of mental health and wellness topics. I have provided consultation services to ABCNews Good Morning America, ABCNews 20/20, New York Times, Fox News, PEOPLE magazine, LOGO / Viacom, the new Dr. Keith Ablow show, CBS Larry Elder Show, Sony Pictures, NewHouse News Service - which feeds stories to 40 national newspapers, several national magazines, and the San Francisco Examiner. 

I have also served as Adjunct Faculty in the Continuing Education Program at Roger Williams University .

Community Involvement

For the past 10 years I have lived in Providence, I have been actively involved in community development through such activities as advocacy, outreach, education and program development.

I have the honor of being recognized and awarded by the RI Pride Committee with their annual prestigious Pyramid of Pride Award. The following is from Options Magazine (September 2002, Providence, RI).

With nearly 200 people in attendance, RI Pride celebrated its third annual Spotlight Awards. One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of the Pyramid of Pride award. This annual award, given by the Pride Committee from community nominations, is presented to an organization or individual who has made outstanding contributions to the GLBT community. This year the honor was bestowed to Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) and to Tom Fronczak. The work of both has been a constant in our state and such a presentation was a mere thank-you for years of hard work.

The small legal organization, GLAD, has been a constant friend in need to the citizens of this state. Whether testifying at the State House, providing workshops on issues surrounding marriage, or defending our rights as parents before the Supreme Court, GLAD has been there. Accepting the award for GLAD was board president Barry Field and board member Marc Paige.

The second recipient, Tom Fronczak, has assisted hundreds of people in dealing with sexual identity, GLBT parenting, coming out and the list goes on and on. Though practicing as a therapist for a living, he has provided free seminars and workshops for people in the community.