I believe knowing your therapist, their professional experience, and a glimpse of their life is essential. I was born in Chicago, Illinois, and lived with my mom, dad, three sisters, maternal grandmother, and Aunt – growing up with six women in the house was a good lesson; I grew up with solid and positive female role models. If anyone has ever watched the movie “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” that was my life. I attended a Chicago Public School Monday through Friday and a Ukrainian Catholic School on Saturdays. I was immersed in the Ukrainian culture, only speaking the Ukrainian language in the house and participating in anything and all things Ukrainian – including Ukrainian ballet and dancing from age five to thirteen. When I was thirteen, my family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where I met most of my closest friends. I played football in high school and college at Ohio Northern University. I graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps (USMC) Reserves in my Junior year. After graduating, I completed Officer Candidate School and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the USMC. I served 11 years in the Marines and two tours supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. I was honorably discharged, and my wife and I decided to stay in North Dakota. After my military career, I served as a Project Manager with Nokia (formerly Navteq), doing digital GIS mapping software development for a few years. It wasn’t the right path for me, so I returned to graduate school through the Veterans Administration Vocational Rehabilitation Program and earned a Master of Social Work from the University of Minnesota. I was blessed to get an internship at the Fargo VA Medical Center, working with homeless Veterans and serving as an Outpatient Mental Health Therapist. I also served as a Readjustment Counselor at the Fargo Vet Center, working with combat Veterans, families, and survivors of Military Sexual Trauma.
