Although my mom, who is also a therapist, said I'd always end up here, it was a rather circuitous route... After graduating from JMU with degrees in Spanish and Justice Studies, I was working at a juvenile detention center intending for that gig to be a stepping stone into federal law enforcement. While working there, my curiosity about the lived experiences of the detainees combined with my innate ability to be present and nonjudgmental resulted in the inmates calling me "tio".  I realized I was not meant to be in law enforcement and left that post to get my MSW from Catholic University.  My mom resisted the urge to say, "I told you so." ​ Prior to starting Sunny Ridge Counseling, PLLC, I worked in the public school setting (Arlington Public Schools and Fairfax County Public Schools) for six years, and have worked in the private practice setting at Cabush, Paul & Associates since 2018.  I am also an adjunct professor at George Mason University in the School of Social Work, having taught courses like Psychopathology and Clinical Work with Children, Youth, and Families, among others.  ​ In my free time I enjoy being outside, playing/coaching/watching soccer (though these days I don't particularly enjoy watching Everton), and spending time with my wife and sons (one human, one tuxedo cat).