About

Iʼm a registered nurse, a certified nurse midwife and a certified sexuality counselor. I have worked in womenʼs health care since 1985 and have cared for women and their families throughout the myriad changes of their sexual life. My goal has always been, and continues to be, to help women and their partners find their own way to a healthy, and fulfilling sexual life, with the utmost care and compassion. I believe we all have within us the tools and abilities to find our way to the most satisfying sexual relationships possible. Just as I have “midwifed” many babies into the world, so too I feel my role is to midwife, or help catalyze, the changes necessary to grow into the sensual/sexual directions my clients wish to go.

My counseling style is a bit eclectic but is influenced heavily by the Full Spectrum (Sex) Therapy paradigm of Dr. Stella Resnick. This encompasses cognitive, somatic, experiential and behavioral aspects. Body awareness and breath work are extremely important and can lead to deeper levels of behavioral change. Believing that our thoughts can change our actions, and by extension our experiences, is a powerful part of this type of counseling. I am also greatly influenced by existential psychology/philosophy and some elements of Gestalt therapy. Although the past definitely influences who we are, my emphasis is more on the here and now, problem solving, and where my clients want to be in the future.

I embrace all cultures and religions and am eager to work with people from all backgrounds.

In my free time I love to garden, cook, birdwatch, do yoga and visit my beach shack in Nicaragua.

Experience

Certified Nurse-Midwife
October 2001-present
Ventura County Ob/Gyn Medical Group, Ventura, California
Full scope nurse-midwifery care: prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care; well woman gynecology, family planning, STI counseling, patient education classes; sexuality counseling.

Traditional Birth Attendant Educator
July 1, 2007-August 1, 2007
Tibetan Aid Foundation Clinic, ChaZhu Valley, Tibet
Created, coordinated and implemented a basic maternity and newborn life saving skills program for local village women.

Agricultural Extensionist, U.S. Peace Corps
December 1998-December 2000
Proyecto Chuwi Tinamit, Comalapa, Guatemala
Gave weekly talks to project affiliated families and local health promoters on various health related topics with emphasis on prevention of diarrhea/dehydration, upper respiratory infections and malnutrition. Collaborated with local hospital in holding monthly trainings for traditional birth attendants. Worked with local hospital and health center on vaccination drives and breastfeeding promotion. Collaborated with local health center in assisting with classes for local elementary school children and womenʼs groups in outlying villages. Assisted families in planting high nutrient vegetable gardens.

Certified Nurse-Midwife
August 1992- July 1998
Terry L. Cole M.D.
Full scope nurse-midwifery: prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care; well woman gynecology, family planning, STI counseling

Education

Antioch University
October 2010-December 2011
Santa Barbara, California
B.A. Liberal Studies (with a concentration in Psychology)

University of Arizona
August 1983-August 1984
Tucson, Arizona
Certificate Degree in Nurse-Midwifery

SUNY Farmingdale
September 1977-May 1979
Farmingdale, N.Y.
A.S. Degree Nursing

SUNY Alfred
September 1975-May 1977
Alfred, N.Y.
A.S. Degree Agronomy

W.C. Mepham High School
1975
Bellmore, N.Y.
Regents Diploma

Language Skills

Spanish-spoken, written and reading fluency

Italian, French, German, Czech – minimal to basic speaking ability

Professional Affiliations

ACNM (American College of Nurse Midwives)

AASECT (American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors & Therapists)

IISWSH (International Society for the Study of Womenʼs Sexual Health)