About Me
Doctor of Clinical Psychology (Psy.D) specializing in therapy for high performing individuals and couples, comprehensive psychological evaluations, and forensic psychology.
Seeing clients for in-person therapy in Westport, CT, and virtual therapy in CT, NY, MA, and other states.
Have you ever struggled to understand a puzzle or work at completing a difficult task? There is a momentary shift that you experience from struggle to achievement or success. You may experience a sense of relief, understanding, or excitement.
As a psychologist and therapist, I am motivated to help clients experience that “shift” where an insurmountable obstacle is now doable.
Often a client has trouble seeing the path to reach their end goal, be it emotional release, self-confidence, the ability to form deep meaningful relationships, etc. It’s my job to challenge, question, and help expand a client’s worldview so they may see a complete picture of what is front of them rather than one small section.
Helping people to experience that shift is what keeps me engaged in therapeutic work with clients.
My Approach
I view psychotherapy as a meaningful engagement between an individual and a therapist to facilitate positive life change. I have extensive experience working with clients from a variety of life stages, and with high-achieving individuals such as athletes, medical professionals, and people in high pressure careers.
My practice focuses on helping people overcome life’s challenges and use these difficulties as learning experiences for living a more meaningful and effective life.
Although I draw heavily on existential psychotherapy, I practice Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and specifically Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT). These are evidence-based techniques that empower you with practical tools for effectively and flexibly navigating the ups and downs of your life without creating overwhelming negative emotions.
My Experience
I received my doctorate (Psy.D) in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles, and I hold an Advanced Training Certificate in Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT), a form of CBT, from the Albert Ellis Institute in New York.
My clinical training included working in acute inpatient facilities and medical hospitals in California, as well as within public school systems in California and Connecticut. I gained specific clinical training in Neuropsychological Assessment and treatment of sports-related concussions at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) in California.
I completed my clinical psychology pre-doctoral internship at the Dorothy B. Hersh Regional Child Protection Center at Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Jersey, where I gained further experience conducting forensic child abuse evaluations and trauma psychotherapy.
Before starting my full-time private practice, I was a staff psychologist at the Fairfield University Counseling & Psychological Services (C&PS) Department. I provided therapy to undergraduate students, served as the clinical coordinator of student-athlete mental health for NCAA varsity athletics, helped found the interdisciplinary concussion team for club sports, and served as Training Director for the pre-doctoral internship in Health Service Psychology at C&PS.
I’ve been in full time private practice in Westport, CT since 2017.
Licenses
- State Licenses: CT #3667 / NY #0022471 / MA #11025
- National Register of Health Service Psychologist #57128
- PSYPACT/APIT #13888
Education
- California School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles
- Psy.D in Clinical Psychology
- Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT
- MA in Counseling
- Albert Ellis Institute, New York, NY
- Practicum in Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT)
- Advanced Training in Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT)
Clinical Training
- Los Angeles Unified School District
- BHC Alhambra Hospital
- Acute Inpatient Therapist for Pediatric & Adults
- Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC)
- Neuropsychology Department & Concussion Clinic
Internship
- Dorothy B. Hersh Child Protection Center at Saint Peter’s University Hospital (Forensic Child Abuse Assessment and Therapy), New Brunswick, NJ
Post-Doc Training
- Fairfield University Counseling & Psychological Services – Fairfield, CT
Publications
- Love, M. (2017). Vampire Myth. D. Warner (Ed.) His History, Her Story: A Survival Guide for Spouses of Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse and Trauma. New York, NY: Libero Media
- Love, M. (2015). Sexual abuse of male children in sports: Factors impacting disclosure (Doctoral Dissertation).
Practice Areas
Individual Therapy
- Anxiety therapy
- Depression therapy
- Relationship challenges
- Life transitions & career stagnation
- Bipolar & personality disorders
Psychological Evaluations
- Neuropsychological evaluations
- ADHD testing
- Learning disabilities
- Autism diagnosis
- Personality testing
- Mood disorders
Performance Psychology
- High-pressure careers (medical, law, finance, etc)
- Athletes of all levels and abilities
- Injury & concussion recovery
- Sports team & coaching consulting
Couples Therapy
- Navigate challenges
- Improve communication
- Develop deeper connections
Group Therapy
Therapy groups are supportive environments designed to help high-achieving individuals gain the skills to live a productive life.
- Dad’s group
- Mental skills training for amateur athletes
- Emotional regulation for well-adjusted teens
Forensic Psychologist
Forensic evaluations and expert witness testimony to help clarify complex issues and inform legal decision-making.
- Malpractice (plaintiff & defendant)
- Child sexual abuse
- Evaluation of traumatic impact
- Legal case consultation
Located in Westport, CT
My office is located in downtown Westport, CT, (on Main St across from Veteran’s Green and Town Hall). I regularly see clients from Westport, Fairfield, Norwalk, and all over Fairfield County.
215 Main St 2nd floor
Westport, CT 06880
Outside of Fairfield County? I offer virtual therapy to residents of CT, NY, MA, and other states that participate in PsyPact, through which I hold an authority to practice.