Clinical Therapy Positions

2001-present: Provide outpatient psychotherapy services  for clients with common mental health and addictive disorders - Advanced Counseling Services (Canton, MI)  & KaraLee & Associates (Plymouth, MI)

1998-2001: Provided outpatient psychotherapy for clients with common mental health and addictive disorders; also directed outpatient chemical dependency program - Psychotherapy and Counseling Services (Northville, MI)

1992-2001: Provided psychotherapy for clients in intensive outpatient chemical dependency program and family mental health clinic - HelpSource (Ann Arbor, MI)

1989-1991: Provided assistance to therapists treating clients in inpatient chemical dependency program - Detroit Riverview Hospital (Detroit, MI)

Other Experience

In addition to providing psychotherapy for individuals, couples and families, I also have experience in providing group therapy, developing services and programs for mental health and substance abuse treatment agencies, teaching university classes and seminars, and writing professional papers.

Education, Training, Certification

Master of Social Work (MSW), Eastern Michigan University (1997)

Graduate Certificate in Biomedical Communications, University of Texas - Houston (1983)

Bachelor of Arts in Telecommunication, Michigan State University (1976)

Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), Michigan (1999-present)

Certified Advanced Addictions Counselor (CAAC), Michigan (2008-present)

Organizational Affiliations

Professional Member, National Association of Social Workers (NASW)

Professional Member, Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health (SASH)

Teaching/Training

Adjunct Instructor, Dept. of Social Work, Eastern Michigan University (2003-2005)

Developed and conducted seminars for professionals on treatment of sex and romance addiction

Developed and conducted substance abuse education programs for court-referred clients

Original Research and Published Material

Designed original research study which used established diagnostic criteria for substance dependence to explore their applicability to diagnosing sexual addiction which was published in a professional journal: Exploring the Applicability of Criteria for Substance Dependence to Sexual Addiction, Journal of Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity, 4(3), 195-220 (1997)

Conducted research for video produced by the Texas Institute of Rehabilitation and Research which was aired on local PBS station in Houston, TX: Living with Lung Cancer (1983)

Treatment Philosophy and Approach

I believe change is possible if a person has the desire and motivation to do so. However, often it is necessary to engage others to aid in the process of self-improvement.  A counselor or therapist is one person of many that someone may choose to help in this process. Change and self-improvement are often slow, even lifelong, processes that require honesty, willingness, patience, courage and perseverance. Reconstruction of a damaged self often requires the use of many different tools which a professional therapist can provide to a client.

My approach is "eclectic"; that is, it borrows from many different theories of human development and behavior. I describe my approach as being within a spiritual framework. While I do not follow or endorse any particular religion or spiritual practice, I believe that all humans have an innate spirit which is the part of them that holds the capacity for guiding direction and purpose in life. Certain life experiences can damage one's spirit which can lead to self-defeating - and even destructive - behaviors. I believe that it is important for emotional growth to connect to and develop one's spirit in a positive way.

The spirit is not itself the solution to life's problems, but rather serves as a guide to help us make rational decisions about how to manage our feelings and thoughts. All of the major "schools" of human psychology - cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic (insight-oriented), humanistic/existential and presently developing models - can be applied within a broad spiritual framework to effect personal transformation.

In addition, I emphasize the importance of biological and genetic aspects of mental disorders. I believe that mental illness results from a complex interplay of biological and environmental factors, beginning with genetics and shaped by life experiences. Progress in biological science continues to reveal the nature of cellular interactions that play an important role in both physical and mental health states. With the advent of powerful microscopes and imaging techniques, researchers can now observe organic processes which may cause nervous system disorders. This has led to the development of new medicines that have revolutionized the treatment of diseases of the central nervous system. Some of these medications have enabled persons previously disabled by schizophrenia, severe depression or anxiety, compulsive behaviors and other difficult-to-treat problems to lead productive lives. Thus, it is important for the practitioner to have basic knowledge about neurobiological aspects of human development and current medication available to help treat mental disorders.

Populations Served

Currently I provide services to anyone regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnic identification, disability or other historically discriminated-against groups. However, at this time my office practice is limited to adults and adolescents over the age of 12, and my online practice is limited to adults (at least 18 years of age).

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