Clinical Experience
- Licensed Clinical and Forensic Psychologist, 1980-present
- Director of Lodestar, a psychiatric partial hospitalization program, 1991-1993
- Univ. of IL College of Medicine, Dept. of Psych. and Behavioral Medicine, 1980-1983
- Prior work in student counseling centers, mental health centers, and psychiatric hospitals
- Licensed in Colorado (2935) and Illinois (017-002717)
- Specialties:
- Psychotherapy with individuals, couples, and families.
- Clinical forensic evaluations in civil and criminal proceedings.
Education
- Ph.D., University of Nebraska, 1980, Clinical Psychology, minor in Law and Psychology
- Clinical Psychology Internship, Duke University Medical Center, 1978-1979
- M.S., Illinois State University, 1975, Counseling Psychology
- B.A., Amherst College, 1971, Religion
Teaching
- Clinical Asst. Professor of Psychology, Univ. of Illinois College of Medicine, 1983-2006
- Assistant Professor of Psychology, Univ. of Illinois College of Medicine, 1980-1983
- Instructor, University of Nebraska, 1978
- Instructor, Illinois Central College, 1975
Research
Author or co-author on 6 research projects including thesis and dissertation.
Professional Organizations
- American Psychological Association
- Colorado Psychological Association
- American Psychology-Law Society
- Metropolitan Denver Interdisciplinary Committee
Biography
I was born in 1949 in Peoria, Illinois to parents of Irish and German descent, and I was raised there in a 3-generation household; my maternal grandmother lived with us throughout my childhood. I am the oldest of 5 children—3 brothers and 1 sister. I was fortunate in that my family was comfortable financially and warm and loving emotionally; my childhood and adolescence were stable and secure, and I was active in athletics and music.
Following high school, I left the Midwest to attend Amherst College in western Massachusetts. While there I became married, and after college graduation in 1971, we moved to Boston where my daughter was born and where I began my career in mental health by working with adolescents at a state mental hospital.
Graduate school, raising a family, and pursuing a career in clinical psychology occupied the next phase of my life. After my internship at Duke University Medical Center, I obtained a faculty position at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in 1980, and thus, returned to my home town where my son was born and where I began doing clinical and forensic work, teaching, and a small amount of research. After 3 years, I transitioned into full time private practice, continued a teaching role with the University, and stopped doing research; I maintained this fulfilling professional life for the next 23 years.
During the time period I just described, my personal life had many joys and a few pains and sorrows. Borrowing words from a Jimmy Buffett song, “Some of it’s magic, and some of it’s tragic, but I’ve had a good life all the way” succinctly summarizes both the realities of my life and my attitude toward it. My children grew into honorable adulthood: my son lives and works in Chicago, trading stock options by day and being a musician by night. My daughter moved to Denver to complete a clinical psychology internship at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and I moved here in 2006 to establish a clinical and forensic practice with her. Of course, Colorado has numerous opportunities for the outdoor activities that I enjoy, and I continue my interest in music by being a member of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra Chorus.
I recognize that it is unusual for professionals to be this open on a website, but I think it is helpful to let you know something about me, and it sets the tone for understanding how I work with people.
Biography
I was born in 1949 in Peoria, Illinois to parents of Irish and German descent, and I was raised there in a 3-generation household; my maternal grandmother lived with us throughout my childhood. I am the oldest of 5 children—3 brothers and 1 sister. I was fortunate in that my family was comfortable financially and warm and loving emotionally; my childhood and adolescence were stable and secure, and I was active in athletics and music... more