I'm trying to think of a way how to adequately write a review for someone who saved my life. Maybe…read morethat's a little over the top? But I value my life more than anything, at least now, through the work Mark and I have done together, so if anything, it's an understatement. I'll die on that hill.
If I'd never met Mark, and someone asked me to think of the perfect qualities, and most importantly , the relationship, I would want in a therapist, and that person would appear and be my therapist...100/100 times it would describe Mark and he would appear.
It truly is an honor to write a review for this gentle, selfless, and incredible human being. I've known and started working with Mark around 8.5-9 years ago. I was recommended to Mark by an excellent doctor who focus in on addiction that I see (so of course she knew who to refer to). I have seen Mark ever since. I was an aimless upper 20's male who severe untreated addiction and mental health issues and at a turning point in my life, and through the difficult but necessary work Mark and I accomplished together. I have remained clean and sober for 9.5 years. I couldn't imagine not doing drugs every four hours for the rest of my life for 15 years before that.
Mark is kind, generous, compassionate and all the other therapeutic relationship buzzwords you'll see floating around reviews upon reviews of therapists. The thing is, he like, seriously is though. If you are, like I was, another aimless lost 20 something who struggles with addiction, hear me out. What is the hardest thing when talking about addiction? It's the shame. At least to me, but he, before a therapist, is a real human being that has both excellent clinical skills necessary to handle tough issues, but the experience he has amassed in helping people with addiction, it is like he is one of us. It's the best of both worlds. I have never felt shamed, judged, or felt uncomfortable working with him or in the work we do. Mark Is intelligent, and keyed into the latest in recovery and I mean he really is an expert, because I became an expert in recovery myself through the work we have done. I've always felt his therapy and relationship is incredibly professional, but also down to earth and in session, it's just like talking to a good friend. Mark is also someone that, when you have a setback, even if something you feel is monumental, next session or in between...Mark still comes as he always is. Still championing you, that unconditional appreciation, that he has, is still there. Mark has a way of making you feel like you are his only client. Like he was built for you, and I know I hit all those characteristics of someone struggling with addiction. He finds the strengths in you, and always there to meet you where you are at or challenge you if that moment comes. But it is with that unconditional positive regard he has for me and the person I have become that is why I keep seeing him week after week all these years. If you are a young man or young at heart, struggling with addiction, or maintaining, giving Mark a call in any form or fashion you will be taken care of, and the decision you will undoubtedly stack in the significant moments in your life
As someone who has entered the field myself after doing the hard work to get there, Mark is an absolute role model. Professional, but you can see the humanity, intelligent, but not pretentious, always quick to point out that we teach him as much as he teaches us. Now being in the field myself, I am not just saying this, but I have maybe met only one or two out of hundreds of clinicians who are the full package like Mark is. Give him a call, and let him guide you and find the power and freedom within yourself you feel might have once felt as a child and empower you to take on life so you become your own therapist and have the skills to not just deal, but surprise yourself still on what you have in you and achieve those things you only tell yourself in your head that nobody else knows but you want to tell the world!