My Practice & Treatment Approch

For the past 25 years, I have maintained an independent private practice.  I work mostly with adults who are experiencing various problems in living, such as: anxiety and fear, depression and demoralization, loss and grieving, marital and relationship difficulties, and work stress. In addition to the areas above, much of my practice is devoted to the evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders (see behavioral sleep medicine and insomnia sections). 

My central approach is known as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Simply put, this form of treatment examines how your thoughts influence your feelings and behavior and how faulty and unhelpful thinking can lead to unnecessary distress. In addition to CBT, I draw on other techniques and frames of reference such as psychodynamic psychotherapy, mindfulness based stress reduction, and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). 

In using these methods, I remain active and engaging; which is to say that I don't just sit quietly waiting for things to happen. I ask questions, reflect the feelings and thoughts that I see, and clarify -- all in the service of helping define and work through problems. In therapy, you should feel that your point of view, concerns, and feelings are being heard, valued, and respected even though part of therapy may be to challenge these in an effort to bring greater clarity and relief from psychological pain.  

Over the course of my training and professional career, I have had the privilege to work with many wonderful people who ranged in age from 4 years to 104 years. Additionally, I have had the opportunity cultivate my skills across many different clinical settings. These include: Adult Inpatient and Outpatient Community Mental Health, Child Inpatient Community Mental Health, The State Hospital System for Long Term Mental Health Treatment, Clinical Research Investigating the Efficacy of Psychiatric Medications, Centers Devoted to the Evaluation and Treatment of Sleep Disorders. 

In addition to seeing patients in my private office practice, I have provided clinical service as a medical staff member at the following health centers:

   UCLA Insomnia Clinic (Attending Psychologist) - Current Appointment (3/2020-Present)

   Motion Picture & Television Fund Health Center - Psychological Services (2003-2010)

   Northridge Hospital Medical Center - Consultant to Sleep Lab (2008-2011)