About Brian
Therapeutic Approach:
I focus on a systemic, collaborative client-centered approach to therapy and love working with both individuals and couples. Working with clients faced with diverse challenges has contributed to my drive towards reducing stigma, providing a safe space for vulnerability, and acknowledging that healing takes time.
No two clients have the same needs or benefit from the same approach, because of this I practice a variety of modalities. Including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. With couples I enjoy integrating components from both ACT and Gottman and love to see the shifts that can happen in partnerships thanks to the safety created in therapy.
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Training and education:
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I hold a Bachelor of Science in Substance Abuse Counseling and a Master of Arts in Social Work. Over the past decade plus of experience I’m thankful for the variety of training I’ve experienced that has helped me with meeting each client and couples unique needs. I am a lifelong learner and am always reading/listening to therapeutic books, and attending training to learn new and effective ways to better serve my clients. Some things I’ve really enjoyed in the past few years have been becoming certified in substance use prevention, a highly selective fellowship focused on serving at-risk youth, and publication in smoking cessation.
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Areas of interest:
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I am passionate about building therapeutic relationships based on trust and respect, while valuing the client as the expert on their own lives and aspirations. I pride myself on learning something new about the world through the eyes of each client I meet. I love my role in helping clients develop the tools necessary to weather the tribulations of life outside of the therapy session.
I enjoy helping clients work through personal and familial challenges compounded by the stress of everyday life. I recognize that life transitions and the difficulties that come with them are inevitable and difficult. My years of experience in addiction counseling also help me provide a compassionate approach for those that find addiction related behaviors resurfacing with the stress of parenthood. My experience as a father inspires me to work with other fathers as they navigate the exciting and equally demanding roles of caregiver and partner. I love helping fathers become the parent they want to be to their own children and heal past trauma and negative experiences that impact this. My work with couples aims to enhance relationship satisfaction and support conflict resolution through effective communication, negotiation skills, and meeting one another’s needs.
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What brings me joy:
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My wife and I enjoy being active outdoors walking, running and occasionally hiking. We have always been lovers of dogs as well as food (both cooking AND eating, of course!) With the pandemic I was inspired to take up golf and find it to be relaxing.
Since having a child, we have gradually learned how to integrate those interests and hobbies into our family's lifestyle. Walks and runs are now accompanied by a stroller. Races and hikes have been replaced with trips to the zoo and the aquarium. While the transition from being a partner in a marriage to adding the role of being a parent has presented challenges, my family continues to be a source of joy and fulfillment.
University of Cincinnati, Master's in Social Work
University of Cincinnati, Bachelors of Science in Substance Abuse Counseling
Link to licensure
verification: https://elicense.ohio.gov/oh_verifylicense