DOES THERAPY WORK?

Sometimes. Sometimes not. The mental health field in the United States is vast, with roughly 200,000 therapists and more than 80,000 psychologists. Most therapists are women, and many rely primarily on traditional talk therapy models. Those approaches can be very effective, but they do not work equally well for everyone.

Men, in particular, often arrive in therapy carrying years of pressure to suppress emotion, avoid vulnerability, or define themselves entirely through work, stoicism, anger, or self-reliance. Many do not respond well to approaches that feel passive, abstract, or disconnected from the realities of their lives.

My own path has included both traditional and unconventional approaches, which is why I tend to work in a more adaptive and personalized way. Some people need structure and accountability. Some need practical tools. Some need a place to talk honestly without being judged. Others need help understanding patterns they have repeated for years without realizing it. The growth of alternatives such as coaching, peer support, men's groups, and psychedelic-assisted therapy reflects the reality that people are looking for approaches that feel more direct, flexible, and relevant to their lives.

Therapy works best when it fits the person, not when the person is forced to fit the method.

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! I'm 56 if you are wondering.

WHAT ABOUT BRAIN SCIENCE AND MEDICAtIONS?

I am fascinated by the phenomenon of human consciousness as long as I can remember.

My undergraduate thesis in philosophy focused on John Searle's The Rediscovery of the Mind, and I later studied in the Mind, Ethics, and Epistemology M.Phil program at The University of Edinburgh. I am also currently enrolled at Harvard studying Brain, Behavior and Psychology independently.

Can consciousness ever be fully explained? Perhaps not. It may always remain one of the central mysteries of human life. We can understand patterns, observe how thought shapes mood and behavior, examine the stories people tell themselves, and make practical changes that improve their lives. In short, the brain's fundamental power remains a mystery.

Note: I am not a prescriber, but I can refer clients to one when needed and help them think through medication, side effects, adherence, and the relationship between medication and the broader work of therapy.

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 as well. However—I charge for my time. Think of it this way—would you ask a plumber to come over and fix a leak to see how they do it? No you wouldn't.

WHAT ARE YOUR CREDENTIALS?

I am an ordained lay teacher in the Rinzai Zen Buddhist tradition affiliated with Charles River Zen in Boston, and a practicing Catholic. With more than twenty years of contemplative training, I integrate classical philosophy, depth psychology, and trauma-informed care into a grounded, disciplined therapeutic framework. My work focuses on accountability, symbolic meaning-making, and the restoration of coherence in the self. I am also a survivor of childhood abuse, a recovering addict, and a rugby fan.