I am honored that so many people over the years have allowed me to accompany them on their journeys toward healing.
About Carol
Over the past 30 years, I have worked with individuals, couples and families in a broad range of mental health and substance abuse settings. Prior to establishing my private practice 12 years ago, I was the clinical director of an employee assistance program serving several Fortune 500 companies. I have extensive training in many treatment modalities and am certified in several. I will work with you to design a therapy that will best meet your needs.
Education
Williams College, cum laude with honors in Psychology
Post-graduate Training
The NY/NJ Institute for Schema Therapy – Certified Advanced Schema Therapist
Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute - completed 3 year training program in the Somatic Experiencing Method of healing trauma
National Council on Alcoholism, Westchester Division- completed required coursework and clinical training hours in alcoholism and substance abuse necessary to sit for state certification exam
International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy - completed Externship in Emotionally Focused Therapy
Ackerman Institute for the Family – completed two year externship in family therapy
Licenses and Certifications
NY State - LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker)
BCD – Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work
International Society of Schema Therapy, Certified Advanced Schema Therapist
NY State - CASAC (Certified Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor)
SEP (Somatic Experiencing Practitioner)
Special Expertise
I have been certified as an alcoholism and substance abuse counselor in the State of NY for the past 25 years and have developed expertise in working with people whose lives have been deeply affected by addiction - either their own addiction to alcohol or other substances or the addiction of a significant other.
I have extensive experience working with adults whose lives have been informed by the reality of growing up in families in which one of both parents suffered from addiction and/or a psychiatric disorder. This includes working with individuals in recovery who are struggling with traumatic past experiences that need to be addressed as part of the healing process. I also work with individuals and families who are currently living in a situation in which an adult in the household is abusing alcohol or other substances and treat couples whose relationships are being affected by past traumatic experiences.
Clinical Orientation
Therapy is not a “one size fits all” process. Each client has individualized needs and what works best for one person may not be ideal for another. One of my strengths is a breadth of experience with a wide range of therapeutic approaches. I adapt and integrate these approaches to find the ones best suited to each client’s needs.
Over the course of many years as a therapist, I have found that the process of exploring one’s thoughts and feelings can be greatly enhanced by the use of sensation, imagery and experiential work. I integrate my experience in multiple therapeutic disciplines including family therapy, Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, substance abuse treatment, Schema Therapy, and the Somatic Experiencing Method of Healing Trauma in helping each of my clients address the problems, concerns or life challenges he/she brings to therapy.
I believe that understanding and changing the self-defeating beliefs you have about yourself in relation to the world - beliefs that have led you to develop maladaptive life patterns and ways of coping - will lead to a transformation in your life and relationships. In my experience, behavior that helps people survive in very difficult family circumstances when they are young tends to get in their way in the long run, interfering with their ability to have healthy relationships and leaving them with symptoms that interfere with living a fulfilling life. I treat couples whose relationships are being affected by past traumatic experiences and also work with individuals and families who are currently living in a situation in which an adult in the household is abusing alcohol or other substances.