The bookshelf above probably speaks most about who I am and what informs my work. I am a life-long learner who yearns to keep learning both for my own personal growth and to the benefit of my clients.
For over 25 years, I have provided specialized assessment, counseling, training and consultation services in the states of Arizona, Connecticut and California. I am a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) and professional clinical counselor (LPCC) in California, and a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in Arizona. I believe my clients benefit from the diverse professional experiences I have had over the years, having provided services in private practice, community mental health, school, correctional, residential treatment and university counseling settings.
- My success in assisting individuals and their families who are dealing with mental health concerns like depression, anxiety, trauma and addiction.
- Although my clients range in age from 12-70, I have extensive experience working with high school and university-aged clients (and their parents). I’ve held clinical and leadership roles at several universities throughout my career and often help families navigate those internal systems of care, as well as how to help students transition out of and back into school settings after a mental health crisis.
- I have worked with individual clients, groups and companies in the aftermath of a significant crisis, often called upon to support first responders or those leading crisis efforts.
- I often partner with attorneys and others involved in forensic mental health settings to provide services to those struggling with legal concerns.
- Although my practice works with women and men alike, I have a special interest in helping men/ adolescent boys with the therapy process. I create an environment where my male clients feel empowered, where we work together to create a relationship that’s safe, challenging and strength-focused. Click here to learn more about this work.
Training, Teaching and Consulting/ Executive Coaching
Another core component of my professional life are the consultation and training services I provide to other professionals, students and paraprofessionals. I enjoy the process of training new and experienced professionals, and helping them become more effective in their clinical work. I have conducted hundreds of trainings locally and nationally for professionals in the fields of mental health, higher education, community corrections, and clergy.
I serve as a regular adjunct professor in the Graduate School of Education and Psychology at Pepperdine University where I have taught courses on Substance Abuse and Forensic Psychology. I also regularly work with companies, schools and universities as a consultant and executive coach.
Research and Writing
I have co-authored several professional publications in the fields of addiction, the psychology or men, working with mandated clients and disaster mental health. My book titled, Engaging Resistance, was a best seller at forensic mental health conferences for many years. Most recently, I co-authored an article in the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapist’s (CAMFT) magazine, The Therapist, on disaster mental health, titled When Disaster Strikes a Community Twice in 24 Hours.
Personal
Originally from the Midwest, I graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from Grove City College and a M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Geneva College. I value most my roles as husband and father, as they are the most rewarding relationships of my life. As a former college athlete, I value the positive aspects of exercise and am happiest when hiking a trail, hitting a yellow or white ball or riding bikes with my family.