Many things drew Adam to be a Mental Health Therapist. During high school he knew he wanted to be a therapist. Adam was a psychology and creative writing major during his undergrad and was very passionate about both. He was torn between doing a PhD in counseling psychology and an MFA in creative writing and ultimately chose the latter. After which, he started out in another career as a content marketer and did it for over a decade. But he always felt like his career was missing something. After 2020, Adam’s world changed; his best friend was the first “young person” to pass from COVID. In processing his grief, Adam got introduced to social work and learned what an LCSW was and did—he was sold. That same fall, he applied for MSW programs and got into the University of Utah. After experiencing the power of transpersonal therapy, Adam knew he wanted to help people who deal with grief and trauma. Addiction also runs in his family, and it became an area of focus as well. Since then he has worked both at private practices and residential treatment centers. His passion is simple: Adam loves working with people who are at the most difficult crossroads in their life. His goal is to help them figure out what direction resounds with their true self.
Adam received his Bachelor’s degree in 2008 in psychology and creative writing, with a philosophy minor. A Master’s of Fine Arts in writing in 2012, and a Master’s of Social Work in 2023. He is a writer that has published creative and non-fiction pieces. Adam loves writing as a form of healing and survival, and enjoys using it as a modality with clients. Adam is trained in EMDR, Gottman, Mind Body Bridging, ACT, DBT, and CBT. Carl Jung is his favorite philosopher/psychologist and he loves using his methods to inform his practice.
Adam’s areas of expertise focus on Trauma, grief, SUD/addiction, family, couples, depression, anxiety, thought disorders, mood disorders, and OCD. He is comfortable working with people from all walks of life!
An important item Adam believes people should know about mental health is that you don’t have to have a “disorder” in order to get value and growth out of mental health therapy. Just as one doesn’t just “go to a doctor when sick,” one doesn’t need to be “ill” to get mental health care. Every single human on this planet has something to gain from prioritizing their mental health. There should not be, and shouldn’t have ever been a stigma associated with processing your lived experiences or most challenging ones. It’s also okay to not be okay.
Fellow clients would describe Adam as chill, understanding, compassionate, the antithesis of pushy or “in your face”, but also someone who can help you with accountability. Not someone who judges, but rather someone who hears you with accurate empathy. Funny, appropriately irreverent (DBT approved), and a personality that helps you feel comfortable even in your most vulnerable moments.
In his free time Adam enjoys golfing (walking 9/18 holes at Bonneville is his favorite), snowboarding up Big Cottonwood Canyon, splitboarding, surfing when he can (San Diego will always be home to him), fly fishing, hiking, being with my dogs and traveling the country/world with them, cooking, reading/writing, and video games too. Lastly, enjoys learning and growing and doing difficult things.