About Dr. Sheff

I have dedicated my career to helping others. As a licensed clinical psychologist, I have been in private practice since 1983. I am also a master credentialed collaborative divorce professional and have been practicing collaborative divorce since 2004. 

I graduated at the top of my class from Queens College/City University of New York, earning a BA with a major in psychology. I have both an MA and PhD in clinical psychology from Stony Brook University, where I graduated with top honors. I hold a Graduate Certificate Degree in dispute resolution from Southern Methodist University. I also taught at The University of Texas at Dallas in the psychology department for 14 years.

My clinical practice has evolved considerably over the years. I originally served a wide range of clientele, and my expertise in divorce and family violence led to my regularly working within the court system as a custody evaluator and expert witness. After years of witnessing how destructive and divisive traditional litigation can be, I instead focused my practice on better ways to help families in conflict. Today, I provide clinical services (therapy) to families impacted by divorce, dispute resolution services (collaborative divorce and co-parenting services) designed to keep families out of a courtroom, and couples counseling services for those who want to improve their relationship or avoid a divorce outcome altogether.

In addition to my clinical practice, I provide volunteer services to a variety of professional associations where I often serve in leadership positions. I am especially proud of chairing the Parenting Plan Development Committee for Collaborative Divorce Texas, which created the parenting plan summary form that is now used statewide by mental health professionals and attorneys with divorcing couples. I also lecture and train on a regional and national scale and frequently make radio, television, and podcast appearances.

I am married with two children, and my favorite activities are those that involve my family. Now that my children are out of the home, I spend my leisure time reading, knitting, working out, and watching Dallas Mavericks Basketball with my husband. A fun fact about me is that I served as a firefighter and founding member of our local volunteer fire department for 7 years.