About brian

I specialize in trauma-informed therapy, substance use treatment, and working with first responders—a population I deeply understand from personal and professional experience. Many helpers struggle in silence, reluctant to seek support, and I strive to create a space where they feel safe, understood, and free from judgment.

Part of my Journey

My path to becoming a counselor was shaped by my own transformative experience. After a 12-year career in law enforcement—serving in patrol, traffic, investigations, and field supervision—I faced my own battle with addiction. Seeking help was one of the hardest but most rewarding decisions of my life, and it was in treatment that I realized the profound impact counselors can have. That experience ignited a passion in me to help others find hope and healing.

I went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Addiction Counseling: Integrated Recovery for Co-Occurring Disorders from the Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies, where I graduated with a 4.0 GPA, received the Chief Academic Officer’s Award of Excellence, and served as the student-elected cohort representative. Today, I use my lived experience and clinical expertise to bridge the gap between understanding and healing for my clients.

Therapeutic Approach

I believe in meeting clients where they are and tailoring treatment to their unique needs. My work is rooted in Person-Centered Therapy and Socratic Dialogue, with interventions drawn from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Psychoeducation, and Gottman Method Couples Therapy.

Clients appreciate honest, direct conversations that don’t feel cold or clinical. I balance real talk with deep empathy and nonjudgmental support, ensuring clients feel both challenged and empowered in their growth.

Special Focus: High-Stress Professions

I know firsthand the culture of silence that exists in law enforcement, firefighting, emergency medicine, military service, and other helping professions. Many professionals in these roles struggle with burnout, PTSD, addiction, or moral injury, yet fear seeking help. My background allows me to provide a safe, stigma-free space where they can be vulnerable without having to "talk shop" or over-explain their world.

Beyond the Therapy Room

When I’m not working, I enjoy playing music, gardening, exercising, hiking, travel, reading, and spending time with my partner and our rescue pets. I remain actively engaged in peer-led recovery communities, recognizing the importance of connection and lifelong growth.