Passing the Torch to a New Generation
of Mental Health Professionals

Autobio

 

 

My first course in the mental health field was An Introduction to Psychology. It was with the late Dr. Jack Granofsky, the professor who told us that he went to the movies every day—his psychotherapy sessions. I took every undergraduate psychology course he taught and eventually became his teaching assistant. I'm beyond thankful to Dr. Granofsky for introducing me to psychology—and my passion.

 

After graduating from college with a Bachelor's degree with a dual major in Psychology and Speech Arts & Sciences, I was accepted into a Doctoral Program in Clinical & School Psychology. My dissertation focused on identifying desirable characteristics of psychotherapists. In two and a half years, I completed a Master's degree and a Ph.D. There's more to that story.

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I then began my first job as a school psychologist. I vividly remember being asked for a hall pass by a teacher and deciding thereafter to grow my beard and don a suit. I also started teaching as an adjunct instructor at a local university. I taught An Introduction to Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Understanding Human Behavior, and Counseling Psychology. A supervisor told me that teaching was an excellent way to prepare for the state licensing exam—and it was. 

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I also began working at a community counseling center, where I gained invaluable clinical experience and accrued the required number of supervised hours.

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After becoming a licensed psychologist, I opened a clinical practice. By day, I evaluated and counseled with high school students. After school hours, I shifted my focus from teaching to seeing private clients as a clinical psychologist in the afternoons, evenings, and weekends. 

 

My passion for psychology continued to flourish. While working with a particular client, I developed a unique interest in helping people during times of crisis, rather than focusing on the aftermath of a crisis, as is the case with traditional crisis intervention. I began consulting with journalists such as Diane Sawyer of Primetime Live, Dennis Murphy of Dateline NBC, and, more recently, with Ali Bauman of CBS Evening News and Kaitlan Collins of CNN.

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I was intent on understanding ways of reaching people during the earliest phase of traumatic exposure—potentially preventing acute stress reactions from becoming chronic and debilitating stress disorders.

 

I invested a year wearing body armor and "riding shotgun" during the night tour with police officers, supervisors, and paramedics in police ambulances. I ultimately created a protocol to empower all caregivers to address the "hidden trauma"—traumatic stress. This led to the creation of Acute Traumatic Stress Management (ATSM).  

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Eventually, I left the schools, enabling me to realize the potential of the many hats I could wear as a psychologist. I became an author, speaker, and traumatic stress consultant for schools, colleges, universities, hospitals, healthcare providers, law enforcement, fire/rescue agencies, pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies, and diverse public and private entities worldwide.

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Some of the more exciting opportunities were being called upon by the United Nations Department of Safety & Security to train mental health professionals around the world in Paris, France, and in New York City; presenting for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) as a guest instructor; and consulting with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the wake of September 11th.

 

Recognizing the potential of organizations in addressing emergent psychological needs, I founded several organizations, the most recent being The National Center for Emotional Wellness. 

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I remember the inception of CuriosityStream, launched by the Discovery Channel's founder. I thought that a website offering practical information during a crisis would be beneficial, so I created CRISISstream. 

 

I became increasingly engaged in collaborating with the legal system as a forensic psychologist. Forensic psychologists focus on the intersection of psychology and law. I began to specialize in three areas: Emotional Distress Claims, Fitness for Duty Evaluations, and Fitness to Practice Evaluations.  

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For years, I enjoyed evaluating law enforcement candidates—providing another set of eyes and ears for law enforcement agencies in selecting first responders. I also conducted evaluations to determine if an individual was psychologically suitable to be issued a firearm.

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My interest in the theatre prompted me to create and mount a theatrical production. The theatre provides a unique opportunity for people to share stories of overcoming and becoming. Today, SESSIONS is positioned for the theatre and video-on-demand (VOD) executives.

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Technology has advanced faster than our ability to adapt. Unfortunately, correlated with this proliferation of technology is an alarming increase in mental health problems. Anxiety has become the most common mental illness in the United States, and depression is now among the leading causes of illness and disability worldwide. Observing this trend, I created AI-Integrated Emotional Wellness, and today I enjoy consulting with diverse organizations.

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In November 2025, my life and career unexpectedly changed. As I explained to family and friends, I knew that a health condition would eventually affect my functioning, but I didn't anticipate it happening in my early sixties—I naively thought that that was a 70s and 80s thing. I was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

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Thereafter, I focused my energy on sublimation—touching lives through The National Center for Emotional Wellness.

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​Today, after nearly four decades of "going to the movies," it's time to pass the torch. I'm working to inspire a new generation of mental health professionals through dynamic autobiographical presentations that focus on the virtually endless opportunities in The Greater Career. 

 

 

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