Hope inspires our work!
Inspired by a 9/11/2001 Ground Zero experience, I transitioned after 35+ years as a fund-raising professional managing multi-million-dollar endowment campaigns & annual philanthropic programs to become a New York State licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) & certified death, dying and grief counselor (CT) by the Association of Death Education and Counseling.
Empathetic, compassionate presence of accompaniment, affirming, perceptive, culturally attuned, ethically sensitive, spiritually-based, experienced, and clinically effective describe my client-centered, strength-based grief counseling approach.
Hope inspires our work.
Listening and being listened to are the cornerstones of each counseling session.
As a seasoned therapist, I provide mental health, end-of-life, and bereavement counseling for individuals, couples, family members, school faculty, church parishioners and bereavement support group members.
Each grief counseling session is conducted within a safe, non-judgmental space and supportive therapeutic relationship providing comfort and strategic coping skills to help manage grief, emotional regulation, and adjustment to life’s transitions.
Sessions are offered in person at my private practice office in Ossining, NY and on Zoom for individuals experiencing the anticipated loss or death of a loved one due to a wide-range of natural-heath related issues, substance abuse, homicide, abortion, death by suicide, or unexpected traumatic events.
I facilitate a variety of bereavement support groups to include:
- Westchester Addiction Bereavement Support Group
- Parent/Sibling Bereavement Support Group
- Spousal/Partner Bereavement Support Group
- COVID Loss Bereavement Support Group
I am affiliated with Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan & Ulster’s Parish Counseling Network (PCN) & Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering mental health & grief counseling for parishioners throughout the Archdiocese of New York since 2018.
Additionally, I serve as a Survivors Assistance Coordinator for the Brothers of the Christian Schools, DENA from 2020 to present.
Previously, at Westchester Medical Center’s Level I Trauma Unit and Caregiver’s Center, I facilitated the Caregiver Center’s Bereavement Support Groups for patients, family members, nurses, doctors, staff, and visitors.
Additionally, I led the WMC Health’s Post COVID-19 Recovery Program Support Group.
At The Bereavement Center of Westchester’s Tree House, I volunteered and co-facilitated the Adolescent Bereavement Support Group working with teens who lost a parent or sibling following 911.
Prior to private practice, I worked at Four Winds Hospital – Katonah as a staff social worker/counselor on the adult, adolescent and children’s inpatient hospital units & partial hospital programs providing therapy and facilitated skill building groups for a diverse population with a variety of extensive mental health issues.
Education
In 2009, graduated Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Service, earned a Master’s in Social Work (MSW).
In 2014, The University of State of New York Education Department Office of the Professionals issued my NYS social work license #: 082243-01.
In 2017 (to present) trained at the Center for Prolonged Grief at Columbia University in Prolonged Grief Disorder Level I & Level II program.
In 2016, earned a Certification in Thanatology (CT), death, dying and bereavement certified by the Association of Death, Education & Counseling (ADEC).
In 2016, interned as a Bereavement Counselor at Hospice of Westchester.
In 2014-2016 trained at the College of New Rochelle’s Graduate Certificate Program in Thanatology.
In 2015, trained at Calvary Hospital, Bronx, 10-week Bereavement Education Series.
In 1989, earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration (MPA), Concentration in Nonprofit Management at Seton Hall University.
2019 to present, trained and volunteer as a social worker on the Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat team for the Respect Life Ministry of the Archdiocese of Hartford.
In 2024, earned an Advanced Certification for Thanatology Professionals (Fellow in Thanatology – FT), death, dying and bereavement certified by the Association of Death, Education & Counseling (ADEC). ADEC awards the FT® to individuals who verify experience, education, and specified accomplishments in the field of death, dying, and bereavement and pass the certification exam measuring an understanding of the essential body of knowledge for the study of death, dying, and bereavement.