About Me
I’m a clinical psychologist who has worked in addiction treatment for over three decades. I currently serve as a Professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and am the Director of the Philadelphia VA Center of Excellence in Substance Addiction Treatment and Education (CESATE).
My path to this work began with my own struggles with addiction in my teens and twenties. That experience—and the recovery that followed—led me to dedicate my career to helping others navigate similar challenges.
After earning my Ph.D. in Psychology from Harvard, I completed my clinical psychology internship at McLean Hospital and a postdoctoral fellowship in addiction treatment research at Brown University. Over the years, I’ve published more than 230 peer-reviewed journal articles and co-authored two books on addiction and recovery. I’ve also received numerous research grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and have taught courses on addiction and recovery at Penn.
In addition to my academic work, I’ve maintained a small clinical practice focused on helping individuals and families find a path to recovery that works for them.
My Approach to Therapy
My work as a therapist is deeply shaped by my own experience with addiction. I struggled with substance use as a teenager and into my twenties, and it was through recovery that I found both personal healing and a professional path forward. That journey led me to clinical work and addiction research—two fields I’ve now been immersed in for decades.
I take an eclectic and pragmatic approach to treatment. That means I draw from a range of evidence-based methods, clinical experience, and insights from research—but also from what I know it’s like to live through the challenges of addiction and change. Recovery isn’t linear, and it rarely looks the same from one person to the next.
I’m committed to working collaboratively with each client to discover which approach is most effective for them—based on their history with addiction and treatment, the other issues they may be facing, and their personal goals for substance use and for life more broadly.
Qualifications
- Clinical Psychologist (Ph.D.)
- Licensed Psychologist (State Licensure)
- Director of the VA Center of Excellence in Substance Addiction Treatment and Education (CESATE)
- Professor of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania
- Ph.D. in Psychology from Harvard University
- Internship: McLean Hospital
- Postdoctoral Fellowship in Addiction Research: Brown University
- Published over 230 peer-reviewed journal articles and co-authored two books
- Multiple NIH research grants
- Experienced clinical trainer and university instructor
Specializes in Treating
- Addiction and substance use disorders
- Co-occurring mental health disorders
- Veterans and active-duty military
- Depression and anxiety
- Trauma and PTSD
- Recovery maintenance and relapse prevention
- Identity and meaning-making in recovery
- Individuals with previous treatment “failures” or treatment resistance
- Clients seeking an evidence-based yet personalized approach
Fees & Availability
I am accepting new patients. To start working with me please schedule a free consultation.
Take the Next Step
Take the next step and schedule time to talk with us. Contact the JFA office with any questions and to schedule a consultation. With the guidance and support of a therapist, you can start recovery now.