Aging Concerns

I worked in hospice as my first profession out of grad school and am well versed in working with elderly as well as with death and dying, and with grief and loss.

I created and facilitated a support and therapy group Ageism and the Creative Professional to help those who are experiencing ageism, burnout and loss of identity. I also trained at a organization that helps people with Alzheimer, dementia and their caregivers. I co-facilitated a group for adult children who are caregivers there, as well as worked with clients experiencing Alzheimer's and dementia.

I work with several individuals (both male and female) ranging from the ages of 60 to 74 years of age. Together we are building healthy and trusting relationships that allow them to be seen, heard, understood, and validated for who and where they are, where they have been, and what they have experienced in their life.

Aging is a natural process that may present challenges for some individuals and their families. Although many older adults look forward to moving from middle age into their later years, it may be difficult for others to adjust. The support of a therapist or other mental health professional may help ease the transition.

In addressing aging concerns, I provide a supportive and empowering space for individuals to navigate changes in sexuality, intimacy, and body image as they age. Through personalized strategies, psychoeducation, and compassionate exploration, I help clients embrace their evolving sexual selves with confidence, resilience, and a renewed sense of vitality and fulfillment.

I have a special interest in concerns around aging and life transitions when clients are or near retirement.

For over 10 years I've worked with seniors and their families related to aging and mental health issues. I've worked with all manner of aging and caregiving issues including dementia and caregiver burnout.

When you find yourself or someone that you love at this stage in the journey, it can feel overwhelming. We spend so much of our lives thinking about how we want to live, but we don’t spend time preparing for death and dying. Even though it is a natural life change that we will all experience, it can be frightening to think about death or what life will be like after the loss of a loved one – there can be strong emotions, fears, and maybe even some regrets.

I assist people as they negotiate the 2nd half of life. I drawing on experience including +Multiple practica, internships and post-docs serving elders +Retirement plan administrator, retirement counselor, career counselor +Geropsychology provider in outpatient and inpatient settings

What do you do when you face hospitalization or an illness that prevents you from returning home. Facing long term placement. My expertise spans over 25 years in healthcare: oncology, long term facilities, hospitals, home health, hospice and palliative care. Whether this is your own aging process or you are the caregiver. I can assist with depression, guilt, uncertainty of next steps, End of life planning, Advanced directives, Dementia care.

I would imagine almost everyone experiences challenges at some point in their life related to transitions. From teenagers figuring out who they are and what they believe to those in mid-life wondering if they are on the best path to retirees asking, "What now?" as they face an empty nest, I work with people as they navigate life stages and reimagine their personal identities.

As a previous hospice social worker, I have experience working with older adults that are navigating chronic or terminal diseases, family members that have taken on the role of caretaker, dementia, loss of independence, etc.

Professionally, I have been working in the mental health field since 2010. This experience has ranged across the span of mental health crisis work in community mental health, work with older adults in long term care, and currently in inpatient psychiatric work as the Manager of Psychiatric Programming. Collectively, these experiences have given me a deep understanding of the impact of mental health across all systems and remind me of the great resiliency of individuals.

The most prevalent concerns of adults 65 years and older are the major changes that occur as we age. This includes changes in job status and finances, changes in physical and mental conditions, grief/loss, and social isolation. The goals of the therapeutic intervention is to work wholistically with all discplines involved in the individual's life, educate on aging issues and identify how to positively cope with stressful life situations.

I specialize in aging, helping clients navigate the challenges - grief & loss, health concerns, empty nesting, job loss/change, changes to family structure and home life - and the feelings of loss, anxiety, sadness and fear that come with it. Whether you are searching for meaning or purpose as you move into the next chapter or trying to make sense of of how you got to this point in the first place, together we explore what would make you feel more whole, fulfilled and contented.

Part of my work includes being a Care Manager at a Wellness Center in Los Angeles that is comprised primarily of folks in their late 50's, 60's & 70's, where I provide both individual and group counseling.

I recognize the role that aging can have on mental health. The changes that come not only with the body, but also with the social circles and the emotional wellbeing, can weigh you down and lead to increased difficulties. If you find yourself struggling with these, I do offer a space to process those emotions and also offer tools to navigate "growing wiser" with as much ease and dignity as possible.