The Freels Mental Health Group in Fort Lauderdale Florida provides drug and alcohol abuse counseling, psychotherapy for children, adolescents, adults, families and couples, including treatment for anxiety, depression, stress and anger management, sports performance problems, mental retardation/developmental disabilities, and sexual and cultural lifestyle issues.

      I have been providing therapy to children, adolescents, adults, couples and families for 20 years. I've learned a lot in that time. My education and work experience, as well as parenting my own children has helped me be sensitive to the needs of children and families. It has helped me develop empathy and compassion for people in distress who have found the motivation to come to me for help. In recent years clients have been effective with me in overcoming their personal obstacles when they have not been able to do so on their own, nor with help they have sought elsewhere.

      I received my Bachelor's Degree, with a Major in Psychology in 1975, from New York University. My Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology is from Duke University. I received additional professional training from the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology at Yeshiva University in the Bronx. I was awarded a two-year Fellowship from Yeshiva and United Cerebral Palsy of New York to study Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.

      My work experience has been quite varied, allowing me to learn from diverse and interesting people trying to overcome obstacles that interfered with their reaching personal goals. I grew up in New York City, so when I had the opportunity to work with NYC adolescents and their families right after finishing Duke, I was eager to help them with issues I had been exposed to in my own childhood. After that, I worked for the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) as a senior staff psychologist for five years. I developed the patience and sensitivity to stick with my clients even at times that progress seemed slow. I developed a passion for working hard to meet people at their level of ability, empathize, and join them in their journey to health and well being.

      In 1990 I moved to Florida. My first job here was with Fair Oaks Hospital. I became a therapist in the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Unit. I later became the Program Director of the Adult Psychiatric Services, including the Inpatient Substance Abuse Treatment Program. From 1993 to 1996 I worked for Broward County's Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Services (BARC), managing their 100 bed Residential Treatment Program in Coral Springs.

      I have worked in private practice since moving to Florida and have always maintained my preference for providing individual, couples, and family therapy in an outpatient setting. Most valuable to me has been my experience with people from different walks of life. Children and adults who need to be heard and understood.