I came to clinical social work indirectly. I had planned to pursue an academic career in psychology but at age 21 love intervened and I changed course. I obtained a random job as a case aide in a family service agency where I was introduced to clinical social work and knew I had found my career. I was trained at Hunter College School of Social Work and started working where I had interned in NYC. It was the early days of family therapy and I was drawn to this new field and it has influenced my work with individuals and couples.
In addition I have been both a step-daughter and a stepmother, so was attracted to this field from my personal experience. There was so much I did not understand growing up, particularly about relationships. I was raised in a family with many secrets about illness, sexuality and relationships that left me confused. But I was also a very social child, that greatly enjoyed people. I wanted to understand how we could be more accessible to each other and help others not suffer with the secrets and misunderstandings that hurt me when I was younger.
I have taught classes for step-families and couples as well as done individual and couples counseling for the past half-century in both private practice and clinic settings. I recently started working part-time to help provide child care to my young grandsons and write a blog on relationships for Griffith, Young & Lass a family law firm in San Diego.
