Finding Your True North:

My Journey to Best of You EVANSTON

A middle-aged man with a spiked hairstyle, white beard, and wearing a black and gray shirt, standing indoors with a neutral gray background.

The Story of MY 
Second Act

For many years, my life looked very different. I spent my 'First Act' in the fast-paced world of technology and sales management. On paper, things were moving forward, but internally, I was navigating a storm of addiction, anxiety, and depression—weighted by trauma I had been carrying since childhood. Like many who struggle, I tried to ignore the depth of those early wounds until the burden became impossible to carry alone. Recovery was the pivot that saved my life, and social work is the Second Act that gives it purpose. Through my own journey of seeking help for substance dependency and processing the layers of my past, I found a clarity I had never known.

I realized that my greatest joy came from living in solutions and helping others find their way through the same darkness I once inhabited. I decided that my Second Act would be dedicated to the service of others—using my own experiences and education to help anyone feeling lost or struggling find the courage to face the unknown and navigate their own safe journey forward.

An Open Book Approach

I am an open book. I share my history because I believe that in the world of recovery, isolation is the enemy. If you don’t hear a story that may sound like yours you may continue to feel alone, drifting without a sense of direction. I share my journey through adversity, when necessary, to show you that even in the fiercest storms, it is possible to find your bearings and navigate toward a safe harbor.

I don’t sit across from you as a clinical observer with all the answers. I approach therapy as someone who knows the landscape of fear and apprehension firsthand. I understand the heavy weight of guilt and shame because I’ve carried it too—but I also know the freedom that comes with rebuilding. At Best of You Evanston, we don’t just analyze the problem; we get into the work together to help you find your bearings and assist you with a safe journey forward.

The Vegvísir: 
Why the Viking Compass?

Inspired by the Viking Compass, my approach is built on the belief that everyone has the capacity with guidance and help to find their way through the storm. You aren't defined by your struggles; we will find your inner strength to ensure that no matter how heavy the seas, you have the tools to find your way to healing. We approach addiction, trauma, and mental health with the respect they deserve—honoring them as your lived experience, rather than a definition of who you are.

While lived experience provides empathy, clinical training provides the tools for lasting change. I have spent the last four years in a clinical environment treating high-acuity patients, with a comorbidity of mental health disorders and episodes with varying mood and affect. This time was spent in residential, PHP, and IOP settings.

Clinical Expertise & Credentials

High-Acuity Clinical Care:

Extensive experience navigating the complexities of mental health, including years treating multiple forms of intense addictions, eating disorders, acute suicidal ideation, self-harm, severe anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions.

Licensure:

LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker).

Specialties:

Alcohol and Drug Use Disorder, Process Addictions, Psychological and Emotional Abuse, Coping Skills, Trauma and PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, Low Self-Esteem, Emotional Regulation.

Education:

Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW), Loyola University of Chicago.
BS in Psychology, Loyola University of Chicago.

Beyond the Office

When I’m not in the office or working virtually, I am usually immersed in the things that keep my own compass anchored in what matters. My 'Second Act' centered around my family—my best friend and wife, and two incredible daughters each currently navigating their own unique journey into adulthood. You’ll often find us together in the thick of a crowd at a live concert; as an old-school punk rocker, nothing beats the energy of a loud show, and I’ve been lucky enough to experience over 300 of them (many with my daughters by my side).

I am a die-hard Michigan sports fan, a dedicated member of the North Shore recovery community, and a perpetual seeker of the world’s most perfect buffalo chicken sandwich. At home in Evanston, life is kept lively by our two dogs, traveling with my beautiful wife and a commitment to continuous learning. Whether I’m at a show or in a session, I believe in the power of curiosity and the importance of meeting every individual—and every day—with non-judgment, kindness, and respect.