About Gary

My Story

I have worked in mental health for almost a decade and have become very passionate about helping people reach the personal goals they set for themselves. Despite how someone has been treated, I believe everyone has a chance to tell their story and find their happiness. I aim to help identify those maladaptive beliefs, challenge them, and change them to allow you to live the happy and healthy life we all deserve. In my experience working with trauma survivors, it is so incredibly rewarding to hear, “I am worth it” and, “It was not my fault” after completion of therapy, and I want to be able to help you get to that place, too.

As a high school student, I always seemed to be the one my friends went to for a listening ear or shoulder to cry on. I decided to make this passion my career and continue to enjoy hearing the stories, strengths, successes, and goals of the people around me. I have always operated under the belief that everyone has the capacity for growth and my years as a mental health worker and a counselor have proven that to be true. There is nothing more satisfying than knowing you made the world a little better because of your interactions and it is such a driving force of why I became a counselor.

I’ve worked in a lot of different areas over the years but have found my niche in trauma, adverse childhood experiences, sex and porn addiction, anxiety, and depression. I really enjoy watching the transformation people undergo when they realize they are deserving of love and respect. Trauma survivors are often left with the belief they somehow deserve the mistreatment, they are inherently bad, or it is their fault. Take it from a counselor with years of experience, it is not your fault and you are not alone. That belief is easier said than done, but very well worth the journey to arrive at that realization.

During the pandemic, I was struggling. I was working from home and caring for a new baby. My self-care went out the window, I was experiencing burnout from my full-time 9-5 job, and I engaged in some not-so-healthy coping skills. After a difficult conversation with my wife, I decided that it was time for this therapist to find a therapist. My only regret is that I hadn’t reached out for help sooner. I know what it’s like to feel like you have nothing left to give, it wasn’t until professional help and some changes I made that I found out that I had so much more to give. I just needed to learn some better ways to navigate this thing called life.

My Background

I received my Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Oklahoma and my Master’s in Psychology from the University of Dallas. I have worked with the domestic violence population, clients of community mental health centers, trauma survivors, as well as young athletes on mental toughness. I received my counseling license in 2017 and have been working as a therapist, supervisor, and trainer for other mental health professionals.

While counseling is one of my passions, I have also coached youth club volleyball for the past 15 years. Outside of therapy, I am a proud husband and father of a toddler who keeps me on my toes and an infant who loves attention. You can often find me in the kitchen trying out a new recipe or chasing my two dogs and toddler around. If the weather is warm, you will find me happiest at the beach or by a pool hanging out with family.

Why Work With Me

We all struggle. Some more so than others, but we all struggle at times. It’s important to understand that struggle, where it comes from, and what you can do about it. That’s what I aim to do. I strive to help people understand themselves better, the impact trauma or a difficult childhood has, and how to grow. If you’re tired of struggling so much, give me a call and start your path toward happiness.

One of the specific therapies I offer is Cognitive Processing Therapy, which is designed to address concerns and disturbances stemming from trauma. I’m also a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist(CSAT) and work with sex and porn addiction.

Fee Structure

Sessions are 50 minutes long and are $150 per session. I am in network with Aetna and Optum and can also provide a superbill that you can submit to insurance for review if you are out of network. Group prices depend on the size of the group. Please contact Gary with inquiries about group therapy or training.

Next Steps

Feel free to contact me for a free 15-minute phone consultation to see if we would be a good fit.

Check out my podcast “Six Minute Counselor” on Spotify and Apple podcasts.