Professional Background

I was initially drawn to psychiatry, a branch of medicine, because of its foundations in both the humanities and the sciences, its spirit of placing value on helping people change and grow, and the appeal of a practical discipline that is grounded in interacting with people who are in the midst of reflecting on their daily emotional lives and struggles. 

After completing a residency in psychiatry at NYU Medical Center, my early work involved directing an inpatient teaching unit at NYU’s Tisch Hospital, working as an inpatient attending physician at Bellevue Hospital, and opening a private practice. I continued to work at Tisch Hospital – providing psychiatric help to hospitalized medical and surgical patients.  I then completed psychoanalytic training and transitioned to full time outpatient private practice.  

I consider my formal professional background, though important, as only one part of my training. The complex character of the New York City area – its energy, diversity, and intensity – has shaped my development as a physician and psychotherapist.  The wide spectrum of patients and circumstances I have encountered here has helped me to gain a broad base of experience to recognize and be sensitive to many of the problems that lead people into treatment.

Academic and Professional Affiliations

I see myself, first and foremost, as a clinician helping patients.  In addition, I am currently the Director and President of the Board of Trustees at the Institute for Psychoanalytic Education (IPE), affiliated with NYU School of Medicine, where I teach.  Formerly, I served as Chair of the Education Committee at IPE, and as Director of the Psychoanalytic Consultation and Treatment Service for more than ten years. I am Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the NYU School of Medicine, where I have worked on the medical school admissions committee, and am a psychiatric attending physician at Tisch Hospital, NYU Langone Medical Center.  Additionally, I am a member of the Board of Directors of the American Association for Psychoanalytic Education (AAPE). Interacting with colleagues in these varied settings continues to offer learning opportunities that are relevant to my clinical work.

Throughout my professional career, I have been actively involved in teaching and supervising psychiatric resident trainees, medical students, and psychoanalytic candidates.  I enjoy teaching because it fosters immersion in the learning process and openness to new perspectives - through continuing study and active engagement in the process of questioning and being questioned.