I began my social work career working with adolescents coping with serious mental health challenges and loss. For the past 25 years, I have learned, supported, and grown with bereaved youth and families in various settings. I am the Founder of Jeff’s Place Children’s Bereavement Center in Framingham, MA, FRIENDS WAY in Warwick, RI, and the founding Clinical Director at Experience Camps, weeklong overnight camps for bereaved youth across the US. In addition to my private counseling practice, I have taught undergraduate and graduate students at Simmons College and Boston College, as well as continuing education for professionals.
I have always enjoyed working with youth and their families, and I strongly believe that the expert on one’s grief is the one who is grieving. My overall goal as a therapist is to sit alongside my clients, bear witness to their stories, and encourage my clients to “sit in the mud” with their feelings. I believe that one can foster healing through connection and vulnerability. My approach is strength-based, utilizing several therapeutic modalities with an emphasis on empowerment, narrative, cognitive and behavioral strategies to enhance overall wellbeing. I value my relationships with my clients, colleagues, and students, and my sense of meaning-making and transformation is always evolving through shared experiences and interactions with others. You can learn more about my approach and experience in my TED talk.
I primarily offer individual counseling with adolescents over 15 years old and adults, as well as family counseling/consultations and group counseling. I also provide consulting services to small nonprofit organizations on issues related to creating and growing a nonprofit, particularly the challenges and opportunities of transitioning from grassroots to a governing board of directors, while growing staff and program needs in alignment with the mission.