I am a former Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Psychiatry at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine with 15+ years of experience as a clinical and forensic psychologist specializing in reproductive health and sexual and other traumas. In addition to psychotherapy and consultation related to infertility, chronic illness, and other emotional concerns I also conduct research on the psychological aspects of infertility and trauma. I have authored or co-authored 50+ research study manuscripts, invited reviews and commentaries, book chapters, and other publications. I lecture nationally and internationally on these topics and provide training and education to fertility clinics, psychology graduate students, and forensic psychiatry trainees.  I am also past Chair of the Executive Committee for the Mental Health Professional Group of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), past Chair of the LGBTQ Special Interest Group at ASRM, and am Chair of the ASRM Global Health Committee, and am Chair of the Mental Health track at the annual Midwest Reproductive Symposium International (MRSi) conference.

I am licensed to practice in 39 states through PSYPACT and have specialized training in health psychology, reproductive/fertility mental health, trauma, and forensic psychology. This additional training allows me to better understand and treat emotional symptoms associated with medical diagnoses and experiences, healthcare professionals’ stress and other high-stress profession employees, and traumatic experiences. It also enables me to provide consultation for intended parent(s) using fertility treatment to grow their families and conduct psychological evaluations of third-party reproductive collaborators (egg/sperm donors, gestational carriers). 

Additionally, as a forensic psychology expert and consultant for 18+ years, I have been qualified as an expert witness in federal and state courts and have provided consultation to numerous private attorneys. I have participated in psychological evaluations of plaintiffs involved in civil lawsuits alleging harassment, discrimination, assault, retaliation, reproductive errors, and other alleged experiences at the request of both plaintiff and defense attorneys and have testified in federal and state court.

EDUCATION

July 1999: University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Double Major (Psychology and Sociology) B.S.  
Criminology Certificate

December 2003: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Clinical Psychology - M.A.   

June 2007: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Clinical Psychology- Ph.D

POSTGRADUATE TRAINING

June 2006-June 2007: Rush University Medical Center, Dep. of Behavioral Sciences, Chicago, IL
APA approved Health Psychology Internship

July 2007-August 2008: Rush University Medical Center, Dep. of Behavioral Sciences, Chicago, IL
APA approved Health Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship

PROFESSIONAL LICENSES

August 2008-Present: Licensed Psychologist, Illinois (071.007580)

June 2022-Present: PSYPACT Compact Certification (11344: Telepsychology & In-Person)

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP

American Psychological Association

American Society for Reproductive Medicine

European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology