TOM'S STORY

Tom’s journey as a therapist has taken many twists and turns. Beginning as a play therapist working with children and their parents, his early expertise was working with families, school systems and community projects to minimize the impacts of divorce on children. During an extended life crisis, Tom himself detoured into the abyss of drug and alcohol addiction as both of his parents had before him. Difficulties with his own relapse and recovery led him to a deep inquiry into the role that trauma and shame play in addictive and self destructive behavior.

His fortuitous affiliation with John Bradshaw gave Tom an opportunity to broaden his skills as a therapist and to integrate his knowledge of children’s needs with those of adults who have suffered from a wide variety of stress induced learning experiences. In his quest for further understanding, Tom’s scientific curiosity led him to study the science of early trauma and shame and their devastating impact on adult emotional function.

Tom’s triumph over his own difficulties and unwavering commitment to his own growth and recovery has made him a compassionate teacher and therapist. His search for the essential necessities involved in healing body, mind and spirit, along with his personal discovery of the deep intrinsic drive to wholeness in each of us, illuminates not only his own path in recovery, but also the path for others. His openness to many different avenues of healing has provided him with a wide variety of tools and skills for assisting others on their journey.