SC has been a Licensed Psychotherapist for 22 years, Trauma and Substance Abuse Specialist, SEP, TRM and EMDR Certified, and an RYT 500 Yoga Teacher. She earned her B.A. from Mount Holyoke College, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Women's Studies. After college SC earned a Certification in Chemical Dependency Counseling and went on to obtain her M.S.W. from U.S.C.'s School of Social Work, specializing in Families and Children. She is certified as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) and in the Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM) with a focus on body sensation awareness leading to the release of traumatic energy from the body. She utilizes Attachment Focused EMDR and the Flash Technique. SC is certified as a LifeForce Yoga Practioner at the highest level, utilizing techniques such as breathwork, movement, Yoga Nidra and meditation therapeutically. SC has completed iRest Yoga Nidra Level 1 Teacher Training and is a certified Facilitator for TRM 1 and 2 trainings with the Trauma Resiliency Institute. She has a special interest ex -pat’s and speaks French.
SC began her career 30 years ago working with battered women's shelters and rape crisis teams by offering counseling and advocacy to survivors and education to the community. She has worked in treatment centers, training other mental health professionals and facilitating workshops on topics such as family therapy, anger management, substance abuse, and relationships and intimacy. She has extensive experience with teens/adults who are in recovery from substance abuse and the family members who are affected by alcoholism/addiction. SC also served as a Clinical Director of a residential program treating unhoused youth dealing with identity and orientation issues, taught middle/high school Special Education, and counseled court ordered clients. SC taught graduate students at Phillips Graduate Institute and supervises post-graduate associates. She assists clients in dealing with trauma healing, grief & loss, building self-esteem, improving anger management, communicating effectively, decreasing substance abuse and conduct problems, autism spectrum and increasing coping skills, and menopause. SC uses the lens of the present to look at the past, helping clients heal & enhance their future, working with attachment & corrective experiences and EMDR. She participates in a monthly peer consultation group and attends trainings quarterly.