I earned my master’s degree in counseling psychology from The Johns Hopkins University completing my clinical internship with the Pain and Palliative Care team at the National Institutes of Health’s Clinical Center. I’m a graduate of Salisbury (State) University and Montgomery College.

I have served in both private and public sectors (Federal government) and, after nearly 15 years of Federal service, I decided to pursue my true calling as a therapist. More recently, I worked for Sheppard Pratt’s Mobile Crisis Response team in support of individuals of all ages across Frederick County experiencing acute psychiatric emergencies. This experience not only fine-tuned my ability to respond to a wide range of crises, it also solidified my decision to follow the career I left nearly 20 years ago. I’m currently working as a therapist with Advanced Behavioral Health serving kids, adolescents, adults, couples, and families.

I am a life-long resident of Maryland, currently residing in Frederick County; I married my wife in 2003 and have wonderful two sons.

As a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC), I provide therapeutic services to individuals, couples, and families across Maryland.

While I use an eclectic approach when working with folks, the foundation from which I bring about change is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.  Using this action-oriented approach, I’ll teach you how to embrace distressing thoughts and feelings as opposed to expending mental energy denying or attempting to suppress your internal experience. You’ll learn how to effectively diminish the power distressing thoughts and emotions hold over you, accept your current/past hardships, and commit to changes in behavior that reflect your values. This transformative shift in thinking and behaving reduces unwanted emotions such as sadness, guilt, anger, and shame.

I never force or coerce people to change as we all know from experience, that “change” is only temporary. Instead, I encourage change through education and support; my approach focuses on living in the moment, not worrying about the past or future, and identifying and living a life that’s consistent with your value system. Perhaps most importantly, I provide you with concrete tools you can start using immediately to begin living in a manner you find joyous and fulfilling.

And much like Steven C. Hayes, who developed ACT in response to his panic attacks, I too embodied the wisdom of this approach in my personal life learning to accept myself and my experiences, good and bad.

Compulsive behaviors can develop through various avenues but tend serve as coping mechanisms for underlying issues such as anxiety, depression, loneliness, boredom, and undesirable life situations; if left untreated, these compulsions can lead to marriage/family issues, employment problems, and in some cases, involvement with law enforcement.