Degree(s): B.S., Psychology; Master's in Social Work (MSW), Health/Mental Health concentration.
Received at: B.S. at Clarion University of Pennsylvania, 1976; MSW at West Virginia University Graduate School of Social Work.
Other Training: MSW graduate internship at West Virginia University's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine. Training with inpatient and outpatient psychotherapy; special training in family therapy, drug and alcohol evaluation and counseling, and co-dependency and adult children of alcoholics (ACOA) issues.
Other Credentials: Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW) since 1983; Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Qualified Clinical Social Worker (QCSW) since 1987; also, Diplomat in Clinical Social Work, listed in the National Register of Clinical Social Workers, and Master Social Worker Addictions Counselor (MSWAC).
Clinical Specialties: Dual diagnosis; family and marital issues; adult and adolescent (over age 14) behavioral and substance abuse/drug and alcohol problems; grief, loss, and hospice work; co-dependency and ACOA issues; SAP evaluations for DOT safety sensitive employees.
Practicing Since: 1988
Positions Held/Honors Received: Director of Social Work, Family Program Director (adult and adolescent dual diagnosis programs), and drug and alcohol counseling Clinical Supervisor at The Meadows Psychiatric Center, 1984 to 1998; Coordinator of Central Pennsylvania Employee Assistance Programs, Diamond Healthcare/Reach EAP, 1998 to 2003.
Treatment Approach/Philosophy: Knowledgeable, eclectic approach that is individualized to meet each person's or family's situation and needs. I adopt a practical approach, utilizing cognitive, behavioral and rational-emotive models. I also follow drug and alcohol, 12-step, self-help and dual diagnosis approaches using family-systems and bio-psychosocial perspective. In grief work, I utilize several stage models of the grieving process.
