I come from a hard-working Italian family in Chicago, though it's been a long time since I called the Midwest home. I’ve lived coast to coast in the States, as well as in Europe & Morocco. I've also traveled to over forty countries, sometimes to work with spiritual teachers & indigenous leaders, other times to hike through magical forests, marvel at snowy mountains, or jump through waterfalls - and always to observe the world from new perspectives.
Because I've encountered a wide range of relationships, lifestyles, and beliefs in both my personal & professional lives, I've been shaped into an adaptable, open-minded human, able to provide clients with a wealth of resources and wisdom gained not only from scholarly research, but also from an array of deeply lived experiences. Sometimes I feel as if I've packed ten lifetimes worth of living into this life so far. Not to mention, I'm an old, old soul.
I have formally studied at New York University, in Aix-en-Provence France, and at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where I received my graduate degree. Upon graduation, I was invited to teach in the UNLV Honors College, where I am currently a Professor teaching multi-disciplinary seminars. You can find out more about me as a Professor here. I also enjoy writing and have published a variety of stories & poems. You can read some of my older, published work (and new, unpublished work) here.
My background as a spiritual guide, counselor, and shamanic healer evolved over decades of intensive shamanic work & focused learning from intuitive therapists, spiritual teachers, and indigenous medicine carriers who shared their wisdom, lineages, and direct transmissions with me. I am eternally grateful for the 14-year relationship I've had with my primary teacher/healer/shamanic guide who has played a vital role in shaping the way I hold space for my own clients; he always places integrity, alignment, and love at the center of his healings. I am also indebted to the Sufi master with whom I studied in France, who first activated my innermost heart. And I give great thanks to the Yawanawa family of Amazonian Brazil for sharing their pure, unadulterated, Earth medicines with me; my relationship with plant medicines wouldn't be as grounded as it is if I hadn't made multiple pilgrimages to Brazil to learn from Peu (the respected Yawa pajé), Biraci (the chief), and Putanny (the chief's wife & first female Yawa medicine carrier.)
Shamanic Background
As well, the time I've spent in group meditations at the Mount Adams Buddhist Temple and Druid Sanctuary in Washington State has been so dear to my soul; the clean energy of the grounds & temple, the sweetness of the alpaca on the farm, and the power of the volcanic mountain all combine to form a pristine container within which inner-journeying becomes effortless and supported. Additionally, I've had the privilege of learning from the greatly-understated Dr. John Beaulieu, a counselor, healer, and sound therapist living in upstate New York. And, Dr. Marta Meana is a therapist/mentor/researcher (and my former boss!) who taught me endless lessons in leadership & inter-personal dynamics. Thank you, too, to Dr. Lisa Cunningham who trained me in Jungian Sandplay Therapy for Adults; this is a fascinating modality in which the client's own unconscious psyche acts as healer.
Most recently, I've returned to my Indo-European roots and dived into the energies and shamanic traditions that stem from that part of the world, where my own ancestors thrived. Not only has this recent work re-connected me to the power of my blood lineage, but it also re-connected me to an archetypical part of my identity I hadn't been consciously nourishing.
And finally, I am thankful beyond words for my most reverent teacher: my Beloved. Our relationship is a continual, wild, revelatory dance...and the most meaningful spiritual practice I've ever had.
On My Guidance Style
After working closely with conscious, high-achieving clients for over a decade, it's clear to me that when people devote themselves to the process of change while receiving skillful guidance along the way, they evolve their realities in ways they formally thought impossible. Although this process of transformation can involve radical intensities, peak experiences, and being pushed to your limits, it doesn't need to. In fact, the inner-alchemical process of luminous transfiguration is often quite gentle and nurturing. Generally speaking, I take the latter approach with my clients as it allows for a safer psychological setting, more stability, a more sophisticated refinement of the client's qualities, and less risk of the client "getting lost" in novel experiences and new techniques.
As well, because I am aware of the organic nature of personal evolution, my approach with clients is not rigid; we'll adapt & change our journey together based on your unique needs, what you're working on during any given month, what you want to explore more deeply, and what brings you the greatest sense of satisfaction and progress.
Thank you for taking the time to explore my site and offerings. It would bring me great happiness to serve you along your journey.
​"We are all just walking each other home."
Ram Dass