I am a graduate of Amherst College, received my medical degree from S.U.N.Y. Upstate Medical Center, completed my psychiatric residency from The University of Michigan Hospitals and graduated from Rush University Medical Center’s Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship program.

I am triple board-certified through the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in General Adult Psychiatry, Forensic Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry. I am also HIMS- certified.

Since completing my Forensic Psychiatry fellowship in 1992, I remain committed to refining the skills, accessing the resources and leveraging the experiences needed to best be of service to others. To this end, as an experienced individual and couples psychotherapist,  I employ eclectic therapeutic approaches which are tailored to the individual’s needs.  My approaches are rooted in Cognitive-Behavioral, Supportive, Psychoanalytic and Motivational Enhancement principles and theories. Medication can be a component of treatment but is never a mainstay. I do not see patients who are solely interested in “medication management.”  I am of the belief psychotherapy is a powerful and effective means of attaining relief and achieving sustained wellness; in certain circumstances, medication can be a useful adjunct.

With respect to other relevant training and experience, for nine and one-half years, I was a court-ordered forensic psychiatric evaluator for Circuit Court of Cook County. In the process of evaluating defendants, many of whom were facing very serious criminal charges, I gained valuable insight into the workings and intricacies of our court system. Also, I am aware of the sometimes imperfect interface of psychiatry and the law, the nuance of providing effective testimony and the importance of working cooperatively with all members of the court system, including opposing counsel. In private practice, I have continued this work and have evaluated defendants at the behest of the defense and prosecution as well as testified in a number of tribunals including state and federal court, military courts and hospital/disciplinary hearings.

Additionally, for 13 years, I was the medical director of a multidisciplinary assessment program which primarily examined and made recommendations for professionals who were accused of, or were actually suffering from a host of emotional and behavioral problems and psychiatric issues. I have also extensively worked with legal counsel and advocacy groups working on behalf of these professionals as well as on countless occasions, provided live testimony before the disciplinary bodies, hearing testimony and making dispositions relative to these cases.

I have performed disability evaluations and have frequently been retained to assess, consult, make recommendations and provide live testimony in connection with civil litigation, Human Resources (H.R.) matters and other kinds of disputes involving behavioral health.