Hi, I’m Zachary

Our Therapy Sessions Will Be About You. I Share A Little Bit About Me Below To Help You Determine If We May Be A Good Fit.

Psychiatric Experience

I have spent the last 14 years working with individuals in the mental health field. I spent a significant portion of my nursing career working with children and adolescents with behavioral issues. I learned an unfortunate thing from this: that far too many children grow up dealing with different types of abuse and neglect. I recognize that many of us grow up and still carry the pain of our past deep inside.

In the later part of my psychiatric career, I saw adult clients for a variety of mental health concerns and prescribed medication to help them. While I believe in the benefits of medication, I realized through my work that many people can benefit tremendously from talk therapy. Therapy is my passion and where I believe I can be of the most benefit for my clients. I do not prescribe medication but I can collaborate with your prescribers if you would like me to. You can learn about my Approach To Therapy here.

Life Experience

I’ve been lucky to have a supportive and eclectic group of life experiences.

I grew up in a small country town in Maryland surrounded by farmland. It was very country. I spent a lot of time wandering through the woods, hanging around the local firehouse, and interacting with neighborhood friends and family.

I was raised by parents who thought it was in my best interest to learn about religions and spiritual practices, but never imposed them or required I believe. They took me to churches, synagogues, mosques & agnostic/atheist communities. They also exposed me to spiritual practices such as yoga, meditation & prayer. They encouraged me to learn about them all and see what felt right for me.

I was lucky to grow up in an environment that encouraged my siblings and I to ask questions, explore our identities, and be accepted for who we are. I share this to let you know that I respect, value, and appreciate working with people of ALL types. This includes people on all ends of the political spectrum.

In my teen years I moved to Baltimore City and spent a significant amount of time in the inner-city. This was culture shock in many regards. Suddenly as a white guy, I was in the minority. I am very glad for this experience because it was the first time I was forced to step outside of myself and learn empathy and understanding for a culture outside of my own. This is where I started to learn that we’re more similar than we think, but also that we all struggle in different ways and we must make an effort to understand one another if we are to love and support one another.

In my early adult years, I traveled as much as I could and explored 47 of our United States. I have Hawaii, Alaska, and Maine left to go.

I have spent the last 10 years living in an eclectic and artsy city. In time, just like my experience in Baltimore, I have come to embrace and appreciate this new culture and my life has been enriched in so many ways.

I write this narrative you let you know that I have sought out, and lived an abundance of cultural experiences that were initially outside my comfort zone. The reason I was able to go out of my comfort zone so much is because I have a genuine desire to understand people and meet them half way. I believe the best way to do that is to be present, listen wholeheartedly, and refrain from judgment. This is what I will do with you.

Career Experience

High School Janitor - Forklift Operator - Goodwill Material Handler - Hotel Bell Hop - Hostel Manager - Wilderness Therapy Guide - ER Nurse - Security Guard - College Admissions Support - Home Health Pediatric Nurse - Therapist

Education

Associates of Nursing - Cecil College

Masters of Nursing - UNC Chapel Hill