About

Here’s a short snippet about me: I was born and raised outside Toledo, Ohio, spent 2 adult decades in charming Culpeper, Virginia, but currently reside in Jacksonville, Florida! I live with my gorgeous wife, daughter, a small cadre of needy pets.

Professionally speaking, I’m a licensed therapist (LPC) who is also state certified in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). I’ve been working with all ages of people for 20 years now (including my shorter stint as a youth minister starting in 2002). In 2005, I began my journey in psychology starting as a community-based counselor. Basically I worked with at-risk kids and their families for over a decade before stepping in the world of outpatient therapy. I was able to get my license in 2018.

My wife Amanda and I moved to Florida and started a private therapy practice called Illuminate Mental Health (yourlifeilluminated.com). We’re currently leasing an office and can see people in person and online (in person in Jacksonville, and anywhere online in Florida and Virginia).

Artistically speaking, my original plan for life was to be an animator or comic artist. I even went to art college to do it, before pursuing the direction that led me to being a therapist. I use art in therapy and have helped publish children’s books and even got some notoriety for my award-winning webcomic, Cancer Owl. I’m every bit an artist in personality and practice, and am looking to use my skills in ways that intersect with what I do professionally.