My work history has given me exposure to a wide variety of problems and populations, in both Clinical Social Work and Substance Use Disorders. While working towards my Master's in Social Work at Fordham University, I worked at Four Winds Hospital in Katonah, New York. I was assigned to the Adolescent Acute Psychiatric Unit. These patients taught me how to" tune in" and listen to clients. Based on the immediacy and intensity of their feedback, I learned very quickly which approaches/techniques worked, and which did not. I still feel that clients are a wise therapist's best teachers. I often think about those kids. I remember how special they are, and I wonder how their life has turned out. Over my five years at Four Winds, I was given the opportunity to develop counseling skills in both individual and group settings. The therapists I worked with had many different styles and backgrounds, making it an ideal learning experience.
After receiving my Masters in Social Work I worked at Hall-Brooke Hospital in Westport, Connecticut where I designed and managed a residential program for young adults with mental health issues. The clients attended a partial care day program when they were not at the residence. These incredible clients helped me continue my development as a Social Worker. My ability to feel and express empathy grew exponentially. I learned how to be gentle with others, while helping them to gain self-esteem.
I went back to working with adolescents when I moved to Carmel, NY and began working at Arms Acres. Initially, I worked as the Assistant Director of their inpatient unit. I then assumed the role of Assistant Director of the Adolescent Outpatient program. I worked with skilled staff, developing and honing my skills in conducting group therapy. I often incorporated psychodrama techniques into my group work with clients. The groups became extremely dynamic and powerful. The intensity of the work made it obvious to me and my staff that we were helping these patients change the course of their lives. I remember many of my clients from those years at Arms Acres. I still hear from some of the family members about how successful the treatment was for both the client and the family. I feel fortunate to have developed family therapy skills early in my career. Our residential treatment plan included an intense, four-day program for family members. The senior therapist taught us skills for working with families that I still use today. In the outpatient department at Arms Acres, I worked with many inner city kids. I had the pleasure of being able to educate them, while giving them the love and respect they needed and deserved. At that time, heroin was making a comeback as the "drug of choice" for many clients. Ecstasy was also growing in popularity. I quickly became savvy at working with clients with these addictions. Witnessing the power of these addictions helped me understand the heartache the family members go through as they watch their loved one suffer. I was able to develop special groups for these family members.
One of my favorite places to work was at Never Alone in Hurley, New York. While there, I directed a residential program for adolescents. These young men and women had problems with both mental health and addiction. Although they were "young" in age, their life experiences kept many of them from experiencing true childhood. It is tragic to encounter a young person who never learned how to play, and has never felt comfortable in their own skin. I did everything I could to instill a healthy sense of laughter and play. Thankfully, this type of energy and creativity was always available to me. Paradoxically, suffering does not always have to be somber. Laughter and play could also move people quickly toward health. We all enjoyed helping them to remain sober while working through powerful issues in their lives.
As my family life grew and changed, I returned to my roots in Bergen County, New Jersey. My focus shifted from residential treatment of adolescents to outpatient treatment of adults. I managed the MICA Outpatient Partial Hospital, and subsequently managed the Evergreen Intensive Outpatient Program at Bergen Regional Medical Center. Clients of the Evergreen IOP were sober for a full year by the time they completed treatment. It was an amazing thrill to watch people evolve over such an extended period of time in treatment. They were able to remain sober, while "living with life on life's terms." I worked with a similar population at High Focus Centers in Paramus, NJ, where the length of stay was relatively brief compared to Evergreen. Again, I was able to work with the clients and their families and see them change as they accepted help (and recovery) into their lives. I worked with clients on Welfare who needed assessment and treatment referrals due to their mental health and/or substance use disorders. For the past 7 years while working with my private clients in my private practice I have had the pleasure of working and growing the best Recovery Center in New Jersey known as BlueCrest Recovery Center. I am the Director of Family Services and I work with all the clients as well as their family members. I am thrilled to be in private practice, doing what I do best: direct clinical work with individuals, families and couples. I hope to meet you soon.