Having been born in Uniontown in the Allegheny Mountains then at the age of 5 continuing to grow up and go to school in San Francisco, Half Moon Bay, Chicago, and then Pittsburgh afforded me the privilege to interact with a diverse student population. I had friends who were Chinese, Mexican, Spanish, Japanese, Puerto Rican, Jewish, Italian, French and a wide range of students whose family backgrounds were from many other countries. I also traveled cross country with my parents four times visiting many of the historical and famous places of interest throughout the United States. These experiences afforded me the opportunity to grow up without prejudice and an appreciation of various cultures. It wasn’t until I went to the University that I heard negative remarks about certain cultures and religions. It was a rather disarming experience.  

I later chose to do my teaching internship at an all-black inner-city school which was an enriching experience. When I graduated, I worked in the business world as a computer programmer and after   two years I began teaching English in the Pittsburgh schools. I became Chairperson of a high school English Department while   I completed my Master’s Degree in Counseling. Shortly after I was unexpectedly offered a counseling position in the Miami Public Schools which I accepted with the benefits related to a three-year contract. Miami introduced me to the various Hispanic cultures – a term that I had never heard before. Eventually I became Chairperson of two regular high school Guidance and Counseling Departments and of an Alternative High School for high potential students who were at risk of dropping out of school. During this time, I completed my Doctorate and taught English Psychology and English for speakers of Other Languages at the college in the evenings. Since I worked part time as a waiter, bartender and such in college and the early years of teaching, being a professor at the college at night was an easy and satisfying opportunities. I was offered a position as counselor for The Hospital – Homebound program which I accepted while at the same time I began a part – time practice as a licensed psychotherapist which graduated to a full-time practice. Then in 2020 when I relocated to the Tampa area Covid restrictions were still in effect and limited my intention to establish a much smaller office practice. Unfortunately, four months after relocating I became blind. I had struggled with my vision for a number of years. The sudden onset blindness, as it is termed, was irreversible.  Eventually I decided to take courses in using the computer without vision with the goal of continuing as a therapist via telehealth and telephone and it has been quite satisfying. I share this bit of my history because it has greatly influenced my philosophies of life, beliefs, and ideology related to my approaches with clients.

I provide counseling which leads to solutions for currently occurring problems or conflicts in a relatively short period of time.  Life Coaching is utilized to guide individuals through recovery matters as well as mentor a client through difficult life transitions. Psychotherapy serves to provide a client awareness of how his or her earlier life experiences, traumas, losses and any other negative life events influence inadequate coping skills and a faulty belief system. 

No one approach   contributes to discovery of the insights that are the first step in determining and applying options to empower the client to forge a more positive and happier life.  There is usually an overlap of the three methods for personal growth. This is also true in terms of the various   psychotherapy models employed by the therapist. Although my primary approach is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) which focuses on the relationship between the client’s symptoms based on thoughts or beliefs, and emotions, feelings and behaviors. The goal is to alter dysfunctional thinking and behaviors so as to relieve stress, anxiety and/or depression as well as   diminished self-esteem.  Although CBT concentrates on the individual’s present circumstances and needs, it is always beneficial to draw on concepts from the various other psychotherapies as deemed necessary in the therapist/client process. Therefore, my approach as a therapist is eclectic drawing on the various psychotherapies and related theories.

Utilizing telehealth and telephone consults make it possible to work with individuals in any city or state as well as continuity with clients who must travel to various locations within the United States as well as other countries. My fee is $150 per session and may be paid by various methods as explained on this web site. Additionally, there are checklists which can be reviewed to support your better understanding of the issues with which you may be coping. There is also a brief form which you may send me to contact you by telephone for a complimentary 30+ minute session to determine your needs and how I may guide and support you.