Pronouns: He, Him
License: Ph.D
Education: University of Delaware, Newark, DE, Bachelor of Science in Animal Science; University of Maryland, College Park, MD, PhD in Counseling Psychology
Sometimes our lives can feel stagnant and overwhelming. We lose touch with our hopes and dreams – our purpose. We feel lost.
Growing up a gay kid in an Irish Catholic family in the suburbs of Philadelphia and coming of age during the AIDS epidemic, this certainly felt true for me. I struggled with my own shame, self-doubt and depression. With the support and guidance of several gay mentors and allies, I eventually found my way to a Ph.D. program in psychology at the University of Maryland.
I’ve had the privilege of studying with Dr. Ruth Fassinger and I’ve conducted research in gay and lesbian identity development. Upon graduation, I gained valuable experience working at a community mental health center with individuals, couples and families struggling with substance use, trauma and other challenging mental health concerns such as depression and anxiety.
Along the way, I also started a theatre company and had the opportunity to collaborate and create with many talented artists. My journey brought me back to Philadelphia where I now reside with my partner of over 25 years and our dog, Franklin. My approach to my work with individuals and couples is infused with these life experiences.
We can get stuck in life or knocked off course as a couple or as an individual. We can begin to make decisions driven by anxiety and fear. We see the world through the lens of regret or “what ifs.” We get hooked by those loud, negative, self-critical thoughts and behave accordingly. We look to avoid rather than engage with life. We lose sight of what gives our lives and our relationships hope and meaning.
The goal of my practice is assist individuals and couples to directly address these struggles so they may actively engage with the world around them and to commit to a value-driven journey with the hope of living a more meaningful, creative, productive, and fulfilling life.