I became licensed as a NYS psychologist in 1973 and have been in full-time private practice since 1981. I graduated with honors from the Bronx High School of Science (1963) and with honors from SUNY Stony Brook (1966). Following college I attended Yeshiva University where I earned a MS in Educational Psychology (1967), a Specialist Certificate in School Psychology (1967), and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology (1973). While completing my doctoral education I became a full time instructor in the Department of Psychology at CUNY Lehman College (where I was tenured). I also completed postdoctoral programs in Comprehensive Psychotherapy (1977) and Supervision of the Psychotherapy Practice (1982) from the National Institute for the Psychotherapies and in Group Psychotherapy from the Postgraduate Center for Mental Health (1981).
I am certified in EMDR, a therapy technique often used to treat post-traumatic stress, and have intensively studied treating insomnia and other sleep disorders with the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. In addition, I am experienced in Gestalt, body language therapy, spiritual psychotherapy, and cognitive therapy. Students at CUNY dubbed my developmental psychology course as “the Womb to the Tomb with Blum.” I edited a book entitled Psychological Aspects of Birthing and Bonding, and have written programs applying advertising principles to education for school-aged children, and articles on body image for It’s Me, a magazine for plus-sized women. I proudly co-authored a children's book with my sister Ellen called "Sidney and the King of Doubledania". I practice a philosophy that I have labeled "mindful mortality," an understanding that by not fearing death, I can live life more fully.
I was born on July 3, 1945 in the Bronx and I have lived and worked on the upper West Side of Manhattan for over 35 years. I believe that balance is essential and so although I work hard, I also play hard. I have one daughter born in 1987.
I am a proud member of many psychology associations, including the American Psychology Association, the New York State Psychology Association, the National Institute for the Psychotherapies, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and the Prescribing Psychologist’s register.