Bob Zima
Bob Zima
Most men aren’t interested in therapy. Why? Because they believe it won’t help them get what they want—and they’re not wrong. Traditional therapy, self-help books, and wellness programs are often designed with women in mind. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that. Women are, after all, the primary consumers of these services & products. And women account for 75% of the professional counselors offering care. And that leaves a gap. We talk a lot about reducing the stigma of mental health care for men, however, we’re placing the emphasis on the wrong syllable. The real challenge isn’t just stigma—it’s relevance. To truly reach men, we need to make therapy appealing by focusing on what they care about: improving performance, managing stress, repairing relationships, regaining control, and solving real-life problems. As a male therapist, I get it. I design my counseling approach to speak directly to the needs of male clients—whether they're seeking individual therapy or looking for a male perspective in couples work. No fluff. Just results, practical insight, and straight talk along with humor and understanding from a guy who calls himself a Frequent Flyer to Hell and Back.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Our first session is all about connection. Research consistently shows that the relationship between counselor and client is the most important factor in successful therapy. I truly admire your courage in taking this first step—opening up to someone new takes bravery. During this initial conversation, I want to learn what’s going on in your world and what brought you here. We’ll discuss your goals, and I’ll share my therapeutic approach, philosophy, and style so we can determine if I’m the right fit to support you. As a strengths-based counselor, I work to normalize what we often call “LIFE”—the challenges, changes, and chaos that come with being human. With humor and a narrative, storytelling lens, I help people build the psychological fitness skills that support a more fulfilling life. My own journey includes recovery from addiction, rebuilding after financial collapse, and navigating the profound grief of losing two of my four children. These personal experiences, alongside my clinical work in ERs, Community Mental Health, and Private Practice—and my work as a teacher and keynote speaker—have shaped my ability to walk alongside others as they design the life they truly want to live.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I am a strengths-based counselor who seeks to normalize what we call 'LIFE.' Using humor and a narrative, life-story approach, I help people develop and refine the psychological-fitness skills needed to improve the quality of their lives. I’ve lived through many challenges myself—recovery from addiction, rebuilding after financial devastation, surviving two open-heart surgeries, and grieving the loss of two of my four children, who passed away far too soon. These experiences, combined with my personality, clinical training, and professional background, shape the way I work with clients. In addition to my counseling practice, I’ve gained clinical experience in a variety of settings, including ERs, Community Mental Health, and Private Practice. I’ve also had the privilege of teaching and touring as a keynote speaker, sharing insights and stories from my own life and professional work. Drawing from these personal and professional experiences, I aim to help people plan for and achieve the life they’ve always wanted. Together, we work to develop new perspectives, embrace challenges, and build the skills needed to navigate life with greater confidence and meaning.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I work with men and couples who struggle to communicate, cope, and problem-solve effectively that often fuels anger and relationship conflict. Counseling works best when you’re willing to lean in. I create a supportive, collaborative space that encourages honest engagement—because the more you invest in the process, the more meaningful and lasting the change. Using evidence-based therapies, authenticity, and a good dose of humor, I tailor my approach to meet the unique needs of male clients—whether they're looking for individual support or a male perspective in couples work. No fluff. Just straight talk, real insight, and results—delivered with the understanding of a guy who proudly calls himself a Frequent Flyer to Hell and Back.
About Bob Zima
Serves ages
Licensed in
Accepts
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Narrative
Narrative therapy seeks to separate us from our problems. In narrative therapy, problems are problems while people are people. People are never problems. We are never the problem. Our family and friends are never the problem. The problem is the problem. By sharing life stories of the past, present, and future I help clients disconnect themselves from the dysfunctional behaviors, unwanted emotions, and lousy outcomes that sometimes plague their lives.
Reality Therapy
Plan. Do. Check. Act. These are four basic steps that can miraculously improve the quality of our lives. When it comes to creating better coping, problem-solving, and communication skill sets, we must plan. We must implement new skills and strategies. We must check out the effectiveness and efficiency of these skills and strategies, and when necessary modify and adjust. Reality therapy helps us make a reasonable and executable plan to improve the quality of our lives.
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
We think. We feel. We act. When in a therapy session, Thinking, feeling and acting are discussed in a linear fashion. The reality is that life is process oriented and circular. Understanding how our thoughts Drive automatic emotions which are then expressed through behaviors is a key to improving our overall mental wellness. if we change how we think we will change how we feel and we will change how we act ultimately leading to different outcomes.
Motivational Interviewing
If a baseball bat worked to motivate people to make changes, I'd use it. But it doesn't. I use Motivational Interviewing because this theory respects the reality that most of us find change a bit difficult and occasionally unappealing. I use motivational interviewing to explore the possibilities of change and how, if those changes are possible, my client's lives may be different, healthier, and more enjoyable.
Humanistic
There isn't a single research study in the world that doesn't support that the therapeutic and professional relationship between counselor and counsel is the single most important factor in therapy being effective. In session, I am me, warts and all. I strive to be authentic, genuine, and transparent and I seek the same for my clients as we connect and work.