MEET BILL
I am a counselor, author and professional trainer who specializes in treating trauma, anxiety and depression. My passion is to help people effectively cope with the stress of life’s difficulties by offering online and in person therapy, books and tools for emotional intelligence, coping and wellness courses, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) training.
AS A COUNSELOR
My first goal of therapy is to establish a trusting relationship. If you don’t trust me, why would you tell me your dreams and secrets? Why would you dive into the abyss of reprocessing your past secrets and trauma? Why would you dirty your hands digging in the dirt of your own difficulties? Why would you trust me to teach you coping skills? The answer is simple: you wouldn’t.
One of the remarkable things about therapy is that it is so individual. All therapy is different based on what a person brings with them: genetics, family of origin, race, sexual orientation, where and how they grew up, relationship issues, religion, trauma, medical issues, personality features, current stressors, a person’s abilities to cope, and dozens of other phenomena.
I once read that there are three types of clients:
Customers – those who are there to work, change, grow or learn.
Visitors – those who are there to dip their toes into the water and see what therapy is like. They usually attend a few sessions then call it quits, and
Complainers – those who are there to complain about their lives or the world’s woes.
It would be great if everyone who went to therapy were customers, but it doesn’t work that way and that’s okay. I accept whoever walks into my office. Acceptance is a key component of therapy. It can turn a visitor into a customer, a complainer into a visitor or even a future customer. Acceptance also goes a long way in establishing a trusting relationship.
AS AN AUTHOR
When I was young I dreamed about being a writer. The adults told me don’t be foolish, it’s a waste of time. One day I realized that I was, had always been, and would always be a writer. To me this meant,
“A longing to inquire
Into the mystery of the heart which beats
So wild, so deep in us - to know
Whence our lives come and where they go.”
- The Buried Life by Mathew Arnold
Children’s Books
In my life I have journaled feverishly, wrote poems, plays, published a few short stories and even won a writing contest while in graduate school as a counselor. Somewhere along the road I started writing for children.
I have had the pleasure of creating the Zach Rules Series including:
Zach Apologizes
Zach Gets Frustrated
Zach Makes Mistakes
Zach Hangs in There
Zach Stands Up
These engaging stories follow seven-year-old Zach at school and at home as he learns important tools to overcome everyday kid struggles, learns epic ways to cope, and about the power of friendship.
I also created Zoey Goes to the Hospital, an honest and comforting story, written in English and Spanish to support kids in the hospital or receiving medical treatment.
Adult Literature
During Covid I wrote a book for adults called 30 Ways to Cope Now (and not five years and endless hours of therapy from now).
My goal has always been to create moments for the reader's imagination to soar, to stir the chords of emotion and to give readers the tools to help them on their inquiry into life's difficulties and joys.
Through writing, I learn over and over to work through my fears, listen to my own heart, follow my own bliss, and that I don’t dare just dream - I create what I want, now.
Perhaps you too have had the same experience.
AS A TRAINER & SPEAKER
Employee Training
As a Certified Employee Assistance Professional for many years, I recognize the powerful role EAP’S play in supporting employees in work/life balance and overall mental health.
I work with EAP partners in developing and presenting dynamic training to support employees in a wide range of subjects. My presentation style is full passion and energy which enables me to connect with audiences online and in person.
I am blessed to be an affiliate of Lifematters and other EAP‘s across the country.
School Visits
I provide author visits to schools on variety of social and emotional learning topics. As an author who happens to be a counselor, I understand the impact books and ideas have on students. I provide exercises that teach the writing process including how to bring emotion in writing, active vs passive writing, time management and patience in the writing processes.
I also use a variety of activities including live reenactments of the Zach Rules Series as well as introspective and critical thinking exercises about the Zach Rules Series topics.
Speaking Engagements
Do you want your business to have high retention rates, effective communication between employees and departments, efficient workflows that yield better customer experiences and higher profits?
I provide presentations on topics designed to give participants tangible tools and skills to improve effectiveness and efficiency at work as well as managing their life/work balance.
Contact me today to discuss how I can tailor my speaking expertise to help improve your business.