Practice and Philosophy

I am a specialist in treating individuals ages 18 and older who struggle with one or more of the following chronic mental disorders: Major Depression, Anxiety, Borderline Personality Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Eating Disorders, and Addictions.  My expertise includes the assessment and treatment of individuals who struggle with suicidal thoughts and behaviors and have advanced competency in Dynamic Deconstructive Psychotherapy (DDP).  DDP is a 12-month treatment for borderline personality disorder and other complex behavior problems, such as alcohol or drug dependence, self-harm, eating disorders, and recurrent suicide attempts.  In addition to his clinical practice, I serve at SUNY Upstate Medical University as an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, where he teaches DDP to psychiatry residents.  In addition to his clinical and academic duties, I have provided training in DDP to other clinicians in Central New York, and at other psychiatry training programs throughout the country.  Additionally, I am trained in Psychological Autopsy, a systematic procedure for evaluating suicidal intention in equivocal cases.

Education/Licensure

I have a a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Missouri - St. Louis and received my Masters in Social Work with a specialization in psychotherapy from Cleveland State University. I have completed three years of training to achieve advanced competency in Dynamic Deconstructive Psychotherapy (DDP) from the department of Psychiatry at SUNY Upstate Medical University. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New York State.

Academic /Staff Appointment

Currently, I serve as a Clinical Assistant Professor in Psychiatry at SUNY Upstate Medical University. As an advanced competency therapist in DDP, I provide individual and group clinical supervision in DDP to PGY3 Psychiatry residents, facilitates process groups. I am also a member of the medical staff at Upstate Medical University and practices part time at the Psychiatry High Risk Program at SUNY Upstate.

Presenting / Media

I have presented extensively in the field of suicidology and Dynamic Deconstructive Psychotherapy, including locally and at regional conferences, and have made various media appearances on the aforementioned topics.