I received my doctorate from DePaul University in Chicago in 1982, specializing in Child Clinical Psychology and completed my internship at Convalescent Hospital for Children in Rochester, New York. During my internship I worked with children and families in the residential, out-patient, and group homes operated by the hospital. Through these experiences I had a chance to provide individual and family therapy, perform diagnostic assessments, develop and implement treatment plans for the children and adolescents being served in the treatment programs, and coordinate discharge planning with schools and agencies in the Rochester area.

After my doctoral training, I received advanced training in family therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and psychoanalytic psychotherapy. I have focused my post-doctoral education on the issues of learning disabilities, ADHD and bi-polar disorder, developmental disabilities, sexual abuse, and substance abuse. I completed post-doctoral work in divorce and its impact on children and adults, as well as training in divorce mediation and collaborative approaches to conflict resolution when divorcing. I frequently work with the adults in the families of the children I see, so I have also received training in understanding adult dynamics and adult development.