Mark has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for 30 years.  Most of that time he worked as a Mental Health Consultant, primarily with the county’s telephone crisis line. In that role, he provided supportive and crisis counseling to an enormous variety of people in every imaginable life situation.  He also held other county positions: helping Head Start teachers, families and students; providing therapy for young people with psychosis; overseeing group homes; and assisting adults accused of crimes. All of these experiences have strengthened his understanding and appreciation of human diversity, and contributed to him becoming a kind and caring empath.  

 

Mark is soon to be semi-retired, and is eagerly looking forward to his next life stage, providing ongoing support to people needing it. His counseling style is to build on his clients’ strengths and work together to help them address anything that might be in the way of them having a fulfilling life.  He draws from a variety of clinical approaches, particularly Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), with its focus on the interplay between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and Lifespan Integration (LI), which explores how events and relationships affect body and mind.   He also believes strongly in the healing power of nature, and hopes to do a fair amount of “walk and talk” therapy (for those who are able) through the parks and neighborhoods of our beautiful city.   

 

A few other things about Mark: He’s been married since 1989, and has relished being a parent of two wonderful young women who have recently begun their adult journey.  He is a passionate lifelong supporter of the rights of all people to have what they need and be who they want to be. He enjoys music, creative writing, and other artistic expression. He has always liked sports, especially baseball, and is an avid fan of his hometown Houston Astros.  His favorite place to be is next to the ocean, and he takes his dog Ginny there whenever he can.  He loves to laugh, and has told more silly “dad jokes” than his daughters might prefer. Finally, he is grateful for life itself, and the opportunity to live on this amazing planet.