Independent Mental Health Care Professional
Czech Republic
Independent Mental Health Care Professional
Czech Republic
I began volunteering in peer counseling when I was in high school in New York City. After graduation I continued by volunteering in a number of different areas namely grief, bereavement and pain and palliative care. After this I was trained and certified by the largest crisis hotline in the US where we dealt with child abuse, deaf culture, domestic violence, gangs, homelessness, anorexia and bulimia, adolescents, HIV/AIDS, suicide, self-mutilation, drugs and alcohol abuse, mental illness, disabilities and depression.
As a musician I also gave a concert series at a leading cancer hospital and conducted a recreational discussion group for homeless and transitioning individuals, encouraging them to share their loves of and perspectives on the music that had helped shape their lives.
After moving to Prague 7 years ago I began my practice as I saw a lack of available and affordable resources for the English-speaking community. I am also a former member of the Supervisory Board of the Liga lidských práv (League of Human Rights).
In conjunction with a wonderful composer and pianist I have recently begun giving workshops in the Czech school system on domestic violence and incest. We talk about various situations - some which end well and others which don't. We offer the students the opportunity to participate in a role-playing game which explores various family dynamics. We intersperse the program with songs reflecting real situations but ultimately offering hope.
I would very much like to expand my work into the corporate world by offering coaching and workshops to companies who wish for their employees to be happier, more productive and have more fine-tuned and developed interpersonal skills.
For individuals and couples I specialize in relationship concerns, depression, suicide, self-injury, sexuality and other GLBTQ matters, eating disorders, domestic violence and sexual assault. I am also contactable by phone 24/7 for emergencies and crisis intervention.
(Mental Health Care industry)
January 2005 — Present (5 years )
(Mental Health Care industry)
June 2003 — Present (6 years 7 months)
In my practice I employ a client-centered approach. Working with the client or patient (there really should be a better name for this person) my primary goal is to offer them a safe and judgment-free space in which they can freely talk about whatever they may be going through. I listen to what they have to say and reflect back to them what I'm hearing, often playing devil's advocate to demonstrate that some things can be easily misunderstood. Over time I try to help them develop the necessary tools to move through their issue so that in the future they will have the strength and confidence to handle their personal battles independently.
Voice, Musicology and Languages 2004 — 2006
German 1993 — 1994
Conducting 1993 — 1994
Theory 1992 — 1994
Acting 1992 — 1994
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Jacob Perlow Hospice at Beth Israel Medical Center, Covenant House Nineline, Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter, Liga lidských práv (League of Human Rights), Wagner Society of New York, American Musicological Society, Society for Music Theory