I am a Clinical Psychologist in private practice in Columbus, Ohio. I have practiced psychotherapy for over 30 years, and have specialized in the creative process, relationships, mood and anxiety problems, trauma, and parenting. I have put empathy and connection at the heart of what I do, and have understood how feeling alone and/or misunderstood lies at the root of much of our pain. My approach is based on an experience of connection. Empathy heals, empathy strengthens. Whoever you are, whatever your struggle. I found that the idea of immersion—of engaging fully with others, with artistic mediums, with nature—is key in developing our most gratifying experiences, and in being our “best selves.” I witnessed and appreciated this challenge in people engaged in the creative process. I have worked with famous artists, not-so-famous artists, professionals and amateurs. Through thousands of hours with writers, musicians, painters, sculptors, film-makers, actors, graphic designers, and other creatives, I appreciated their inner, emotional lives, and the importance of relationships and connections throughout the creative process. Together we made sense of their emotional highs and lows, their hopes and fears. I feel so fortunate that I have been intimately involved in helping many great works of art come to life. My book, STANDING AT WATERS EDGE, was created from these understandings. I had fun promoting the book with a tour including TV, radio, podcasts, book signings and discussions. It was an invigorating time of meeting new people and pushing myself out of my comfort zones. I also taught Psych 101 at the Art Academy of Cincinnati, as an Adjunct Professor, over a period of 3 years, and got to engage with many talented young artists. I also developed an awareness of and fascination with the Great Apes, and was continually surprised to learn about and witness their incredible capacities for cognitive and emotional intelligence. They are just like us in so many ways!