Verbal Abuse Counselor

My Training:

I attended Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio for four years, graduating Cum Laude in 1969. I majored in French Literature but took most of the undergraduate major in psychology as well. I was a graduate student in Speech Science at the University of Washington for two years, and studied speech and language, particularly in children. I moved to the A.P.A. accredited program in clinical psychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington in 1972 and completed a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a minor in Developmental Psychology in 1976. I completed a pre-doctoral internship in the APA-accredited program at University Hospital in Seattle in 1975. As the state requires, I completed a year of supervised residency prior to receiving my license to practice independently as a psychologist.

My Credentials:

I received my license to practice psychology in 1977 in the State of Washington, and it is annually renewed. In 1981, I received the initial certification in school psychology, and in 1984, the permanent certification in school psychology. I was a supervisor in a state-accredited domestic violence program (perpetrator treatment) from 1994 to 2004. The Department of Social and Health Services also accredited me as a mental health counselor, a specialist in developmental disabilities, a specialist in child treatment, and a specialist in gerontology for purposes of practicing in a community mental health center.

My Work Experience:

I practiced as a psychologist for four years at the community mental health center in Friday Harbor, Washington (1975-1979), then worked for four years, part and full time, at Western Washington University as an Assistant Professor of Psychology. I taught undergraduate and graduate classes in the psychology of adolescence, family counseling, gender roles, testing and assessment. I began a private practice in clinical and school psychology in Bellingham in 1981.

I have worked in Bellingham as a psychologist since 1981. I worked part-time for the Bellingham School District for two years as a school psychologist, evaluating students and formulating educational plans for them. I worked particularly with developmentally delayed and severely behaviorally disturbed students at the high school level. I worked for four years part-time for St. Luke’s Hospital in the Rehabilitation Unit, evaluating and treating patients for physical and emotional difficulties after injuries and acute health problems, and I have worked for a variety of agencies such as the Department of Social and Health services, law enforcement agencies, community mental health and social services agencies.

In 1993, I started a full-service private mental health clinic and became its Clinical Director. My work expanded to include administrative management and clinical supervision of psychology interns and residents, master’s level counselors, and family health specialists. I also worked as Testing Director, supervising the psychological evaluation program, and coordinating the legal response program. I had administrative responsibilities in a domestic violence program as well.

Since 2004, I have had a private practice as a solo practitioner of psychotherapy and assessments. In 2008, I added part and full-time work as a school psychologist at Concrete School District and refocused my private practice on therapy once again. I have also worked for Ferndale School District and San Juan Island School District. I retired from my private practice in 2014. I worked part-time and full-time as a school psychologist for Lynden School District and retired from Lynden in 2022.

My Specialties:

Over the years I have specialized in evaluations of children and adults. I have diagnosed Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, learning disabilities, and brain-behavior relationships. I provided documentation and testimony for legal proceedings, particularly in areas of personal injury, domestic violence, parental competence, and the abilities and disabilities of those charged with crimes. I also provided consultation to attorneys on mental health issues.

As a psychotherapist, I worked with couples, individuals, and groups, especially relationship difficulties, depression, and domestic violence issues. I have special training in trauma treatment, improving sexual functioning, and addiction-behavior control. I worked with families and parents about parenting issues, discipline and improving family functioning. As a health psychologist, I worked to alleviate medical symptoms like fatigue, nervous system hyper-arousal and headaches. I assisted in preparation for surgery, and I worked with the mind-body interface to help people take charge of their health.

I have written for patients and colleagues all my professional life, beginning with handouts for my patients. Since 2010 I have focused on publications providing information to other therapists and lay audiences on verbal and emotional abuse. I have now retired from other pursuits to focus on my writing with a goal of sharing my unique insights with a larger audience.