More About Me

Yes. I have been licensed since 2009. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas (Lic. # 65758) and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington State (Lic. # LH60653467).

I have a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Master of Healthcare Administration.

In general, I think building a safe, trusting and comfortable relationship is the foundation to facilitating meaningful change. My style is very casual and conversational with no taboos or anything that is 'off limits' to discuss. I believe that each person is unique and so are the challenges they are facing. Therefore, choosing how to approach those challenges has to be a collaborative effort that both me and my client agrees on - we are co-pilots of the process. It is important that we have structure for our time together, that we have goals we are trying to reach, but also allow for flexibility and fluidity as new issues or areas for focus arise. I am influenced by cognitive-behavioral therapy that helps us understand our thinking habits and how our thoughts, beliefs and interpretations either positively or negatively contribute to our sense of wellbeing and happiness. In other words, evaluating how we think in order to identify thought patterns that harm us and learning how to evaluate those thoughts for errors in order to bring us to a way of thinking that is closer to reality and producing a better emotional output. I am also influenced by more existential thinking that helps us understand what our core values are (those things that are most important to us) for the purpose of evaluating if our life aligns with those values, or if there are misalignments that should be explored.

The challenges that client face can be extremely varied and unique to them. However, a couple of common issues that have come up often are: Challenges with self-esteem/self-acceptance/self-love Negative/Problematic thinking patterns Anxiety/Depression Lack of certainty about the future and who they want to be and do. Career dissatisfaction and misalignment Relationship issues Perception of lack of purpose or direction in life. Financial Stress These are some of the common themes I have seen recently, but certainly not an exhaustive list.

I have a very open style and find it easy to connect with many different types of people. I tend to work well with people who are motivated to participate in their own change and growth. I also seem to do well with people who have felt different than others in some way or another and have expended a lot of energy trying to fit what they think they 'should' be rather than who they actually are. Most of my clinical work as a therapist has been with the LGBTQIA+ community, primarily gay men. However, this is not to say that this is the only type of client I work with. You will find that I am very open and embracing of all varieties of people and believe in the essential worth/value of each one.

In my free time I like to keep myself pretty active. I enjoy health and fitness which includes practicing good nutrition, weight training and cycling (indoor and outdoor). I love being in the outdoors, especially hiking/trekking, and just generally being out in nature. That is my happy place. Other than that, I enjoy live music of all types and try to make that a part of my week (at least once). I also love traveling - its generally easier to ask me where I do not want to travel rather than where I do want to travel. It's a much shorter list lol.

Health and Fitness Being outdoors/Nature Exploring the World Sustainable living/Environmental Consciousness Minimalism/Essentialism Helping others

Well, this one could be a long one - but I will spare you. Thanks for stopping by to learn more about me! I was born and raised in Texas later relocating to the Seattle, WA area, then back to Dallas, TX. My passion for helping others as a therapist comes from growing up as a gay man in a mostly unsupportive and strongly religious environment. Having to navigate through the process of understanding who I am with no one to turn to was an extremely isolating, difficult and lonely thing. This inspired me to do something so others wouldn't have to journey through these challenges alone. Obviously, that meant becoming a therapist! :) My experiences (and the process of working through them) has shaped me into someone who approaches life and others with an open heart and open mind, which is reflected in how I do therapy. My goal is to provide you with a completely open, non-judgmental safe space where there are no taboos, no embarrassments and no explanations needed. I look forward to partnering with you on whatever challenges you are looking to address. If you are looking for someone who is non-threatening, easy to talk to and supportive: reach out and lets see how I can help.

Well - now that you know I do not have standard dreams and goals, my biggest aspirations: Achieving financial independence Traveling the world to experience all it has to offer Continuing my journey of living a life that is aligned with my deepest values. I kinda dream about homesteading or living in a communal eco-village (ok there's the hippie self coming out! lol) Life is short and I want to live it my way with no regrets (as much as is possible).