Facility South San Francisco Medical Center Psychiatry - Chemical Dependency Services (CDS) Department Address 1001 Sneath Lane 2nd Floor, Suite 204 San Bruno CA 94066 Telephone Appt/Advice: (650) 616-6200 Bayhill Pharmacy - 650-742-2388 E-mail your doctor

My Office Hours

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
		8:30 am 5:30 pm	8:30 am 5:30 pm	8:30 am 5:30 pm	8:30 am 5:30 pm

Please note that my office hours may be different from my department’s hours of operation.

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My Biography

Welcome to my Web Site!

I am originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I attended Vassar College and I majored in Drama. In 1989, I transitioned out of the world of theater when I obtained a Certificate in Alcoholism Counseling. Since then, I have loved working in the field of addictions because of the rewards inherent in witnessing and being part of my patients’ recovery and growth. I view the psychotherapy Group as a prime example of a Higher Power: The group can do for its members what no individual member can do for him or herself. The whole is truly greater than the sum of its parts.

My philosophy regarding chemical dependency is that human beings are meant to gain comfort from other people throughout their lives. Sometimes, however, people begin to take more comfort from alcohol and drugs. But just as with good relationships that go awry, so too, can our relationships with alcohol and drugs, which end up causing problems. My job is to help people trust again that they can cope with their feelings and with life’s challenges in new ways and gain comfort in connecting with people who are going through the same things they are. That’s why groups are so perfect for recovery: they are a safe place to practice talking, listening, and sharing. This helps patients believe in the goodness and worth of themselves and other people again.

My Roles in CDS:

Currently, I co-facilitate two adolescent groups each week. I also see teens and their parents in family therapy. I work with adults as well, and I provide consultations to the hospital staff around chemical dependency issues. I enjoy leading a Decision Group for people who want to explore the pros and cons of their drinking and drug use, but who are not ready to stop. I also lead a group for Adult Children of Alcoholics, as well as a long-term recovery group. I am currently the Director of Training, and I supervise post doctoral residents in Chemical Dependency Services.

My Credentials:

MA: General Psychology, City College of the City University of New York
Ph.D.: Clinical Psychology, Pacific Graduate School of Psychology
Internship: Stanford Alcohol and Drug Treatment Center
Post Doctoral Residency: South San Francisco Kaiser, Chemical Dependency Services
Publication: (co-author): The internal structure of the MMPI-2 Addiction Potential scale in alcoholic and psychiatric inpatients. Journal of Personality Assessment, 66, 177-193.

My Affiliations: Member, Society for Personality Assessment Associate Member, American Psychological Association

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