Frequently Asked Questions

Does this work, work?

The clinical mental health therapy field in the United States is vast and evolving, with about 200,000 therapists and over 80,000 psychologists. The predominance of female therapists (approximately 70%) is in this landscape. The general trend towards traditional talk therapy methods doesn't always align with the unique challenges faced by men in therapy. The age and ethnic demographics of therapists further shape the dynamics of treatment, often necessitating a more tailored approach for diverse client backgrounds.

My path, marked by traditional and offbeat modalities, underscores the need for a more personalized and adaptive approach to counseling. This is particularly true for men, who often face societal pressures discouraging emotional openness and vulnerability. The rise of alternatives like life coaching and psychedelic therapy reflects a growing desire for varied and accessible mental health support.

Do you work with just dudes?

Nope, I see everyone. I have found that men today need more dedicated counselors who have been out in the world working and doing and have some bumps and bruises. The mental health industry is 75-80% female, and the average age of therapists is 37!

How come you do longer sessions?

I find that it works better for letting people relax. We can wander off-topic and come back, share our experiences, stretch, and meditate. I also do short sessions—the average session is 53 minutes.

You’re Old. Why did you become a councelor?

When I graduated college, someone asked, “So what do you want to be when you grow up?” I replied, “Enlightened”. I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. So, I did what came to me. I pursued things that charmed me. Becoming a monk or lifeguard, a chef, a motorcycle salesman, a stockbroker, a strategic executive, a national security advisor, and finally, a therapist just happened. I was always aimed at what lit up my world and made me feel like I was making a difference. Ultimately, I realized that my life would be better if shared with others and, more importantly if I could help others.

What did you do in corporate America?

I served as a distinguished strategic advisor for over two decades. My career includes serving as Chief of Staff for an International Development Fund, leading an NGO as Executive Director, and sharing this expertise as a lecturer in Economics and Ethics. I was honored as a "Top Voice" on LinkedIn in 2015. I have counseled top executives, elite athletes, and high-performance sales leaders. I left the corporate world in 2018 and was sadly immersed in a period of complex grief as both of my parents passWed away before and during the pandemic years. I have devoted my time to spiritual counseling and business coaching, empowering individuals on their professional and personal journeys since.

Why did you leave corporate life?

I had. I worked in corporate advertising and strategy briefly before becoming a management consultant. I appreciated the lessons I learned and my colleagues, but my time in that world was up. I followed the signs and landed where I was supposed to be.

What about brain science and Medications?

I have been primarily fascinated by the phenomena of consciousness for a long time. My BA thesis in Philosophy was on John Searle’s Resdiscovery of the Mind, and I studied Mind, Ethics, and Epistemology briefly at the University of Edinburg. In short, the brain’s fundamental power is still a mystery to us— “the wonder will remain that mere wet stuff can make this bright inward cinema of thought, sight and sound and touch bound into a vivid illusion of an instantaneous present, with a self, another brightly wrought illusion” Can it ever be explained, how matter becomes conscious? No, likely not. But we can work with the brain, consciousness, and self simultaneously. I am not a prescriber, but I can refer you to one.

Who influenced you as a kid?

The women in my family saw a shy, struggling, skinny kid who wasn’t thrilled about attending football practice, so they put me in a “book-a-week” club. I never stopped devouring books. I love books. More books !

Can you suggest some books?

Tons. Hemingway, Primo Levi, Marquez, Borges, Calvino, Victor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning. Bruce Chatwin’s Songlines. I also read junk books about the Royals for sheer fun. I also teach creative writing and coach other writers.

Why is the world such a fucked up place?

The spiritual genius of the historical teacher known as Gautama Buddha pointed out that our delusions are endless. Greed, anger, sadness, violence, and stupidity are endless. It is not hard to see the truth of this by simply opening your eyes. You can end these things in your own life. We can remove these obstacles.

Are you Religious about Buddhism?

No. I don’t go in for organized anything. I’ve studied three or four major religious practices and hold them all as exciting and sacred. The essence of Buddhism is to go your own way. That was the essential teaching of the Buddha and Christ, for that matter. Do your own thing. Be kind. Stand up to injustice. You don’t need a guru, method, priest, platform, or broker to get to God- whatever God is. You know what you need to do.

I don't know about therapy. Can I talk to you just ONce?

Yes, of course. Schedule a consultation. I offer what would be similar to coaching.

What are your credentials?

The State of Vermont requires all counselors to roster as non-licensed, non-certified psychotherapists until they pass the licensing examination and finish their clinical internship and supervision. Officially speaking, regardless of nearly two decades of guiding folks in one way or another, I am “the Intern” again in the eyes of the State until May 2025. I think Deniro made a movie with the same idea!

What do you do for fun?

I quite literally lift heavy things, and chop a lot of firewood. I go walking or snowshoeing with my dogs and cook. I have a “to-do” list the size of my arm around our little horse farm. We watch a lot of British television. I read a lot. I grew up in our local public library and read anything I could get my hands on: Darwin, Freud, Jung, CS Lewis, Tolkien, Norse myth, and Greek Myth. It’s a habit I have to this day. I also love to listen to music, smoke Cuban cigars, and take baths—sometimes simultaneously.

What is somatic experiencing?

I utilize the teachings and training of Peter Levine, who created Somatic Experiencing. I suggest his book Waking the Tiger Within. Simply put, somatic experiencing is a way of accessing trapped or concealed emotional energy in the body—often pent up from earlier trauma. It is powerful and valuable. I was fortunate enough to work with a therapist who used this modality for seven years in therapy, so I know the ropes.

Can you relate to trauma?

Yep. I wrote a book based loosely on my childhood to work through that entanglement. You can find it if you are so inclined. I have had many rough years mixed with the good ones. I lost both my parents during COVID. I’ve been in many relationships. I thrive because I want to. I believe people can heal. I rely entirely on my self-knowledge to guide me.