About Me
I take a respectful and affirming stance toward my clients, viewing the therapeutic relationship as a collaborative partnership. I work to create a supportive environment of trust and acceptance where together we can safely explore sensitive or painful aspects of your life; identify and change patterns of thought and behavior that cause you emotional suffering, interpersonal problems, or difficulty functioning; and work to enhance your motivation, self-esteem, and self-confidence. My theoretical orientation integrates cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, narrative, existential, and mindfulness approaches. I work from a holistic perspective that considers biological, psychological, socio-cultural, and spiritual factors in understanding human behavior and experience.
Sessions are typically scheduled weekly, and the client usually determines the agenda. My therapeutic style is warm, informal and interactive, and often employs humor and metaphor. Strengths include excellent clinical training, extensive experience with a broad range of problems and approaches, and the ability to establish trust and rapport with a diverse range of clients.
Client Expertise
Age: |
AdultElder |
Sexuality: |
GayLesbianTransgender |
Religion: |
BuddhismChristianJewishMormon |
Ethnicity: |
African-AmericanAsian-AmericanCaucasianLatinoNative AmericanPacific Islander |
Issue Specialties
- Addictions or Substance Abuse
- Anger Management
- Anxiety or Fears
- Chronic Pain or Illness
- Codependency
- Couples Counseling
- Depression
- Divorce
- Elderly Persons Disorders
- Ethnicity
- LGBTQ Issues
- Life Coaching
- Life Transitions
- Male Issues
Organizations
- American Psychological Association
Publications
- Calsyn, D.A., DeMarco, F.J., Saxon, A.J., Sloan, K.L., and Gibbon, K.E. (2003). Evaluation of a minimal services treatment track as an alternative to discharge for non-compliant patients in opioid substitution treatment. American Journal of Public Health, 93 (7), 1086-1088.
DeMarco, F., Ostrow, D., & DiFranceisco, W. (1999). General and AIDS-specific stress, coping, and psychological distress in the biracial Coping & Change cohort of gay men. AIDS and Behavior, 3 (3), 177-186.
Honors
- BA Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa 1987
Regents Fellowship, University of Michigan 1987
Postdoctoral Fellowship in Addictions Treatment, VA Center of Excellence in Substance Abuse Treatment & Education, 1998-99
Additional Information
*** Advanced training and extensive experience in substance abuse/addictions treatment using motivational interviewing method.
*** No-Risk initial consultation: After we meet, if you choose not to enter therapy with me there is no charge for the session.