"I have had dozens of careers yet I've only had one job - working through challenging situations with people. Whether in boardrooms or therapy rooms, my passion remains helping individuals navigate complexity and find clarity."
A Unique Professional Journey
My path to psychology wasn't traditional. I began with a BS in Psychology from UC Santa Cruz, then earned an MBA from Wharton and spent decades in business - from engineering at Hewlett-Packard to executive roles including Chief Operating Officer at NagraStar. This diverse experience became invaluable when I returned to clinical psychology, earning my MA and PhD from Fielding Graduate University.
Following a successful business career in various line and executive roles, I now specialize in personal counseling and psychotherapy, college and life counseling, executive coaching, treatment of depression and anxiety, couples counseling, parenting, failure to launch, divorce, transitions of all kinds, terminal illness and life threatening circumstances. I bring both worlds together in my practice, understanding the pressures of professional life because I've lived them, and knowing the psychology of change because I've studied it deeply.
Professional Timeline
Education
Bachelor of Science, Psychology
University of California, Santa Cruz
Master of Business Administration
Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania
Master of Arts, Clinical Psychology
Fielding Graduate University, Santa Barbara
Doctor of Philosophy, Clinical Psychology
Fielding Graduate University, Santa Barbara
Professional Experience
Engineering & Product Management
Hewlett-Packard, Palo Alto, California
Vice President for Product Technology & Co-Founder
Covalent Systems, Mountain View, California
Vice President for Product Engineering & Marketing
Community Health Computing, Houston, Texas
Sr. Vice President for Technology & Engineering
Integrated Medical Systems, Golden, Colorado
Vice President, Dish Network Engineering
Echostar Communications Corporation, Denver, Colorado
Chief Operating Officer
NagraStar LLC, Denver & Switzerland
Domestic Violence Counseling
Orange County, Long Beach, Yuma, Pittsburgh, Cleveland
Personal Counseling and Psychotherapy
Santa Fe, New Mexico & Laguna Beach, California
My Approach
Evidence-Based & Practical
I integrate cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and psychodynamic approaches. But I also bring practical business wisdom when it's helpful. Sometimes the best intervention is psychological; sometimes it's strategic; often it's both.
Brief & Focused
Having run businesses, I respect your time and money. My therapy is designed to be efficient without being rushed. We work with clear goals and measurable progress. Most clients see significant improvement within weeks or months, not years.
Collaborative & Respectful
You're the expert on your life; I bring psychological expertise and life experience. Together, we develop strategies that work for your unique situation. I don't pathologize normal life challenges - I help you navigate them effectively.
Beyond the Office
I live between Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Laguna Beach, California, with my family. I'm an avid reader, particularly of history and philosophy, which often informs my therapeutic work. I believe in the importance of living a full life outside of work - something I help many of my clients achieve.
I've been married for over 40 years and have raised a family while navigating multiple careers. These personal experiences, combined with my professional training, help me understand the real complexities of modern life - the challenge of balancing ambition with contentment, success with meaning, and individual needs with family responsibilities.
"My goal isn't just to help you solve problems - it's to help you build a life of virtue, exhilaration, comfort, and happiness. That's not naive optimism; it's the result of strategic thinking combined with psychological wisdom."
Ready to work together?