(he/him)
New to Grow
I am a PhD-level behavioral scientist and licensed psychotherapist with 30 years of experience in the study of behavior. My professional trajectory began in preclinical neuropharmacology, focusing on the mechanical intersection of the brain and behavior. Today, I bridge that foundational scientific rigor with a relational clinical practice that investigates the deep connection between the mind and behavior. While I am deeply familiar with the high-pressure cultures of the medical, legal, and academic communities, I work with anyone who values an intellectual and relational partnership. My practice is a candid, identity-expansive space designed for perceptive individuals and couples from all walks of life. We bypass clinical clichés to engage in a collaborative investigation of the structural patterns—whether personal, relational, or professional—that have stalled your progress. The Relational Psychodynamic Approach In our work, we utilize a relational psychodynamic lens to examine the unconscious blueprints and historical templates that dictate your current reactions. By observing the dynamics that emerge within the safety of the therapeutic relationship, we identify and rewrite the ingrained scripts that no longer serve your present reality. We treat our sessions as a live, high-resolution map where we can surgically isolate and address the friction points in real-time. This is an active, observant process—not a passive one. The Impact of Our Work The outcome of this relational partnership is the transformation of internal friction into a reclaimed sense of grounded autonomy. By integrating an understanding of biological hardware with the psychological "software" of the mind, we work to restore your capacity for intentional action, personal agency, and the clarity required to live a more satisfying life. Whether you are navigating a career shift or a relational transition, our work provides the shift needed to move from a reactive state to one of deliberate, atmospheric presence in your own life.
When we first meet, our session begins simply with a "Hello" and a genuine effort to join you exactly where you are. First and foremost, I listen in a focused, welcoming space. We begin to understand the landscape of your life together through a professional yet conversational dialogue. I don’t have a personal "dog in the hunt" regarding your specific life decisions, except to remain entirely invested in helping you get where you need to be. The Architecture of the Work During this first hour, we will get a sense of where you are, including a little bit of your story and your thoughts about your goals in therapy. I will also describe how I work, which is rooted in a relational partnership. We approach your challenges from two distinct directions, though we do not always start with the deep process. We prioritize what is most urgent: The Immediate Daily Life: Often, we begin by addressing the "real-time" friction points—the hardware of your stress and the logistics of your current situation. If you are navigating a crisis, this is where we stay until you have the stability to look further. The Deep Patterns: When the timing is right, we begin to look at the structural "software"—the underlying templates that have been running in the background of your life. Making the Unconscious Conscious I often paraphrase C.G. Jung: Until we make the unconscious conscious, it will direct our lives and we will call it fate. When we eventually move into the deep pattern work, the goal is to identify these hidden scripts. We aren’t just looking backward for the sake of history; we are looking for the "clinical shorthand" that explains why certain patterns keep repeating in your present. A Peer-Level Partnership Whether you are navigating a high-pressure career or managing a complex relational transition, you can expect a candid, intellectual, and relational partnership. I provide a high-resolution, identity-expansive space where we bypass clichés. By the end of our first session, you will have a clear sense of our trajectory and a baseline understanding of how we will work together to transform internal friction into intentional action and a more satisfying life.
My greatest strength is a dynamic, professional relational approach that serves as the foundation for all clinical change. This is an active, joined partnership—not a passive process. I integrate my history as a behavioral scientist and neuropharmacologist with my clinical training to create a high-level alliance where we investigate the architecture of your life together. The Power of Integrative Work I possess a unique ability to work integratively, bridging the gap between biological "hardware" and psychological "software." My background includes extensive experience in drug-discovery for mental health medications, giving me a foundational understanding of the medications often used in mental health treatment. Because I understand how these systems function at a basic level, I can help you navigate why you feel stuck even when you intellectually know the way forward. We don't just talk about change; we collaboratively isolate the friction points where your biology, your history, and your daily reality collide. A Peer-Level Intellectual Match I excel at providing a candid, identity-expansive space for perceptive individuals—medical professionals, attorneys, academics, and creatives—who require a peer-level intellectual partner. I don’t have a "dog in the hunt" regarding your specific life decisions, which allows me to remain entirely invested in your progress. My strength lies in being an observant, non-judgmental ally who helps you move from a reactive state to one of grounded, intentional agency. Making the Unconscious Conscious By utilizing a relational psychodynamic lens, we work to identify the "unconscious scripts" that have been directing your life. My strength is in helping you translate these deep, historical patterns into a shared clinical shorthand you can actually use to live a more satisfying and autonomous life.
I work most effectively with perceptive individuals and couples who are looking for a candid, present, and deeply relational partnership. My approach is designed for those who feel a sense of internal friction—perhaps a disconnect between their professional high-performance and their personal sense of self. While I frequently work with the medical, legal, and academic communities in Kalamazoo County, I welcome anyone who values a therapy space that is both observant and profoundly human. We will likely be a strong match if: You value a "clinical shorthand": You are looking for a therapist who understands the high-pressure cultures of medicine and academia and can meet you as a peer in the room. You are navigating a significant turning point: Whether you are facing a career shift, a relationship transition, or a change in identity, you want a space where those challenges can be explored with both curiosity and professional depth. You seek a "grounded" connection: You aren't looking for a passive listener or a cheerleader. You want an active, relational partner to help you identify the patterns that have stalled your progress. Our work is a collaborative investigation where we utilize the relationship itself to transform internal tension into a reclaimed sense of personal agency and intentional action. I provide an identity-expansive, affirming environment for all, including those navigating nontraditional relational structures and diverse lifestyle expressions. My thirty-year background in behavioral science informs a sophisticated, multi-layered perspective on the intersection of biological patterns and relational dynamics, ensuring a rigorous yet compassionate clinical experience. Beyond the clinic, my own practice of groundedness is rooted in the observant world of "cinema crop" photography and the disciplined endurance of road cycling—pursuits that favor a focused, atmospheric perspective on the "wide-angle" transitions of life.
Anxiety
Couples Counseling
Life Transitions
ADHD
Addiction
Anger Management
Man
Adults (18 to 64)
Elders (65 and above)
Teenagers (13 to 17)
Michigan
Psychodynamic
My practice is rooted in Relational Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, a model that understands our current internal friction as a product of our historical and developmental relationships. With over 30 years of experience in behavioral science and clinical practice, I move beyond surface-level symptom management to address the "structural patterns" that repeat in your professional and personal life. My background in behavioral pharmacology provides an additional layer of insight into the biological intersections of mood and behavior, allowing for a high-logic, comprehensive assessment. How I Use It in Practice In our sessions, I act as an active, observant partner rather than a passive listener. We utilize the therapeutic relationship itself as a live laboratory to identify unconscious constraints and rigidities that stall your progress. Instead of merely treating "anxiety" or "burnout" as isolated events, we investigate the underlying dynamics—the "why" behind the "what." This approach is particularly effective for high-functioning professionals and medical providers who find themselves stuck in unsatisfying relational loops or career transitions. We work to transform these internal tensions into grounded autonomy, providing you with the clarity needed to reclaim your agency and navigate life’s turning points with precision.
Couples Counseling
Relational Dynamics: An Integration of Gottman and Tavistock Frameworks In my work with couples, I utilize a high-logic integration of the Gottman Method and the Tavistock Model of Relational Dynamics. This dual-lens approach allows us to address both the surface-level communication failures and the deeper, often unconscious, structural patterns that stall a partnership’s progress. How I Use It in Practice We begin by identifying the specific behavioral "frictions" using Gottman’s research-based frameworks. This provides immediate, pragmatic tools to de-escalate conflict and restore a baseline of respect. However, we do not stop at symptom management. Using a Tavistock lens, we investigate the "couple-as-a-system," exploring how individual histories and identity-related tensions intersect to create rigidities in the relationship. The Result: Relational Agency My role is that of an active, observant consultant. We work to transform reactive cycles into a grounded, collaborative autonomy. This is a candid partnership designed for couples navigating significant life transitions, career-related burnout, or long-standing relational loops. The goal is to move beyond "getting along" toward a sustainable, intellectual, and emotional alignment that respects each partner's individual agency.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
My Tactical Approach: Integrating CBT and Short-Term Focused Therapy Experience and Strategy While my foundation is in long-term relational dynamics, I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Short-Term Focused interventions as tactical tools for immediate stabilization. With a background in behavioral science and pharmacology, I view these modalities as "functional assessments"—identifying the specific cognitive loops and behavioral rigidities that are currently disrupting your daily agency. How I Use It in Practice In our work, CBT is not a standalone "checklist." Instead, it is integrated as a high-logic framework to address acute symptoms like anxiety, professional burnout, or reactive conflict. We map the mechanics of your thought patterns to identify where your internal narrative is out of alignment with your goals. By applying these short-term strategies, we create the cognitive "breathing room" necessary to do the deeper, psychodynamic work. This allows us to provide immediate relief from surface-level friction while simultaneously investigating the structural patterns that created the friction in the first place. The Result: Strategic Autonomy This integration is designed for the perceptive individual who requires a pragmatic, results-oriented starting point. We focus on transforming reactive behaviors into intentional actions, providing you with a clinical shorthand to navigate high-pressure environments—whether in the medical clinic, the boardroom, or personal transitions—with clarity and grounded precision.