About Me

My Journey ~ Becoming A Holistic Counselor & Life Coach

I worked as a Retail Store Manager with Radio Shack in 1992 and took a class at William Paterson University: Introduction To Social Work. One day, a woman was yelling at her son in my store and starting to hit him with great force. It bothered me, and I could not figure out what to do. That night in class, I asked my professor what she would do in that same situation. She replied flatly, “Quit your job and become a Social Worker.” I did. I quit my job of eight years, and that’s how this started… sort of.

Michael has been a Counselor, Coach, Social Worker, Community Organizer, Educator, Writer, and Reiki Master for thirty years. He promotes peace, integrity, and safety through Counseling, Reiki, Movement, Meditation, and as a Conscious Dance Host and DJ. Along with his Private Practice, Michael is the Program Manager at Dance New England, a volunteer-centered non-profit that hosts dance events cultivating a vibrant multi-generational community. Michael has received training from H.H. the Dalai Lama, The Gottman Institute, and other revered Teachers and Healers. He is an Ordained Minister of Natural Healing from The Seminary Training Program. Michael has been clean and sober since 1989 and practices Meditation, Reiki, Yoga, and Dance/Movement daily.

I’ve tried to the point of breaking, to find my way in this world flying solo, but it didn’t work. I am not an expert on anything. I have clarity about us humans and what works and doesn’t; I am not always right, but at least headed in the right direction. I listen a lot and effectively, even though I talk a lot. I’m intense, fun, funny, and incredibly resourceful. I’ve survived deserts (The Gobi), addictions (who hasn’t), recovery, therapy (she was persistent), success (professional, personal & spiritual), injury (back, spine), loss (too many to list), gifts (wisdom, intuition, intelligence, creativity) and obstacles (wisdom, intuition, intelligence, creativity, ego, arrogance, ignorance). Still standing. Stand with me! I’m good at what I do.

The job titles and descriptions change, but my work is the same: listening, sharing, holding, breathing, meditating, laughing, crying, and caring.

My work is Brief Holistic Counseling/Coaching. We will typically work together for six to nine months, depending on your treatment plan and what is needed. You will be given “homework assignments” to work on between sessions. These “assignments” will be a mix of internal(reflection/awareness) and external(research/actions) to aid in your growth and development. My experience over the last twenty-five years has demonstrated that the work between sessions creates momentum, hope, and focus on achieving what we are working on quickly. This is what makes Brief Holistic Counseling so effective! When we have an “expiration date”, we become highly motivated to succeed and shift the challenges we are experiencing!

“The art of knowing is knowing what to ignore.”
Rumi

Providence Holistic Counselor, Coach & Reiki Location and Rates

My office is in Warren, RI. I do not accept insurance. I offer a sliding scale fee ($95-$175) based on your own discernment of need. I accept cash, checks, Venmo, Visa, Master Card, Discover, American Express, and PayPal.

I invite you to contact me to see if we are a good fit to work together.

My Influences

I have a diverse range of professional and personal influences including; religious and spiritual leaders, psychologists, sociologists, educators, social change and human rights activists, great writers and texts.

My Clients

I am experienced and ready to support you regardless of whether you are needing Life Coaching or Reiki Counseling as an individual, family or group.

Program Director – Youth Advocate Programs
Education & Recreation Coordinator – Project Breakaway
Family Preservation Worker & Youth Shelter Counselor – Monroe County Youth Services Bureau
Homeless Shelter Manager – Shelter Inc
Case Manager & Group Counselor – Amethyst House
Site Coordinator & M.L.K. Achieving Greatness Through Service Coordinator – Urban League of Greater Madison

Credentials

B.A. in Social Welfare – University of Wisconsin
Crisis Intervention Specialist – 1993
Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Specialist – 1993
Wraparound Services/Child-Family Team Facilitator – 1993
Child Protective Services Training – 1994
Psychodynamics Training – 1995
Marriage and The Family Specialist – 1995
Foster Care and Adoption Services Coordinator Training – 1995
High At-Risk Youth Intervention Training – 1995
Certified Traditional Usui Reiki Teaching Master – 1995
Certified Traditional Usui Reikii Practitioner and Counselor – 1995
Ordained Minister of Natural Healing – 1995
Family Systems Training – 1996
Circle of Courage Youth At-Risk Trainer – 1996
Family Preservation In-Home Specialist Training – 1996
At-Risk Youth Group Counseling Training – 1996
Parent Support Group Training – 1996
Teen and Gang Violence Intervention Specialist – 1997
Wilderness Challenge Facilitator – 1998
Youth Experiential Learning Leader – 1999
For The Benefit of All Beings – Ten-Day Training with The Dalai Lama – 1999
Substance Abuse Counselor Training – 2000
Recovery Dynamics Substance Abuse Group Intervention Training – 2000
Substance Abuse Group Facilitator Training – 2001
Dr. Martin Luther King Youth Leadership and Diversity Facilitator – 2002
Diversity Sensitivity and Competence Trainer – 2002
Seminary Healing Apprenticeship (Two-year Program) – 2003
Playback Improvisational Theatre Training – 2005
Hip Hop Classroom Pedagogy Educator – 2006
Qi Healer Six-Day Intensive Training – 2009
EFL/ESL Classroom Teacher Certification – 2010
Komyo Reiki Kai Master – 2010
Legal Guardianship Training – 2011
Ordained Minister and Wedding Officiant – 2014

My Experience & Success As A Holistic Counselor & Life Coach

Addictions; Trauma, PTSD, Obsessions, Stress, Depression, Anxiety, Panic, Dating, Intimacy & Relationships; Crisis Management, Attention & Distraction; Inner Discernment; Old Patterns; Meditation & Mindfulness; Reiki; Spiritual Healing; Abuse, Professional & Career Development; Teens, Couples and Family Issues; Aggression & Violence; Anger, Loss and Grieving; Fear, Pain Isolation, Disconnection, Social Issues, Trust, Commitment, Self-Esteem, Time Management, Communication, Eating & Diet; Body Image, Abandonment, Control, Perfectionism, Rejection, Prejudice & Discrimination, Spirituality. If you have concerns or obstacles not listed, please contact me before assuming I am not able to support your need for growth and development.

Services

Reiki

Reiki is a method of accessing deeper knowledge, wisdom and personal obstacles that are typically hard to recognize in normal consciousness. I was trained as a Traditional Usui Reiki Teacher Master to use Reiki when working with others as a safe, grounded and non-invasive means for supporting personal growth, health, and wellbeing.

Learn More

Holistic Counseling

We can all benefit from support and guidance. Holistic counseling can help. We view clients as whole people with challenges expressed in various aspects of our being. Counseling can be very beneficial for people working through personal problems such as past trauma, mental illness, physical health, spirituality or relationship issues.

Learn More

Life Coaching

Life Coaching is geared towards working from this moment forward, which may or may not include working through childhood, traumatic or life-changing experiences leading you to today. Life Coaches typically work with you for a somewhat brief period to meet your goals and intentions or seeking support and guidance from a professional.

Learn More

Meditation Training

If you are feeling moved towards beginning or strengthening your meditation practice, I may be able to help. For me, the aspect of a daily meditation practice that I am typically most grateful for is the experience of being present. I offer Meditation Instruction for beginners as well as ongoing training for those seeking a deeper practice.

Learn More

Online Support

I am now accepting online clients through Zoom and FaceTime! This allows us to work together if you are outside of my local area. I find this work supporting and effective. I invite you to contact me to schedule our first session today.

Location & Rates

My office is Warren, RI. I do not accept insurance. I offer a sliding scale fee ($95-$175) based on your own discernment of need. I accept cash, checks, Venmo, Visa, Master Card, Discover, American Express and Pay Pal.

About Me

My Journey ~ Becoming A Holistic Counselor & Life Coach

The job titles and descriptions change, but my work is the same: listening, sharing, holding, breathing, meditating, laughing, crying, and caring.

Providence Holistic Counselor, Coach & Reiki Location and Rates