About Me
In 2004, I retired from Hewlett-Packard as a vice president and corporate officer after a 30-year career in corporate finance, marketing, and investor relations roles. For the next 10 years, I held either full-time positions or consulting roles for several technology firms. I hold a BA in economics from the University of San Francisco and an MBA from Golden Gate University in San Francisco.
During my time in corporate life, one of the things I enjoyed was mentoring employees. While working full time, I volunteered at CityTeam Ministries in San Jose, mentoring residents in the Men’s Rescue and Recovery program. When I retired from business in 2014, I sought a new career where I could pursue this passion for guiding and helping others deal with life’s challenges.
Since then, I enrolled in the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) course of study, passed the State certification exam, and completed 3000+ hours of practical work as an addiction counselor at CityTeam. I received formal State certification as an addiction counselor in April 2018. Since then I have been in private practice as a life coach specializing in substance abuse challenges. In August 2022, I moved to Bend, Oregon, where I received state certification as an addiction counselor. I now maintain client relationships in California and Oregon.
Unique Perspective
Since being state-certified, I’ve counseled men from 20 to 60 years of age and many backgrounds and my practice is open to anyone who needs help with substance abuse issues or the direction of their life in general. Having experienced life in the corporate world, I’m uniquely qualified to help people struggling with substance abuse while working in challenging work environments. I know what it feels like working in a pressure cooker and I’d like to help you navigate what can be difficult waters at times.
Approach
My view is that substance addiction is a secondary issue--hence my emphasis on life coaching. The primary issue is ineffectively dealing with the everyday challenges of life. Tailored to the specific needs of the client, I will use cognitive behavioral approaches (such as reality therapy and rational emotive therapy) as well as the 12-Step method to help the client challenge his own thinking and decision-making. While goal-oriented, my counseling style is engaging and non-threatening.