TJ is a husband, father, former collegiate athlete, and Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling candidate at University of Houston – Clearlake. Following completion of his undergraduate degree, TJ spent the next several years working in data analytics and finance. This ultimately though, felt unfulfilling as he saw many of his coworkers struggling with stress and burnout from not only their day-to-day jobs, but also from their home lives and unpacked trauma. “This is just business” was never just business, as we all bring our experiences with us everywhere we go. He decided to take a leap into counseling in the fall of 2022 and work to heal the very issues that plagued his coworkers, and community at large.

Having taken a dive into the clinical literature, serving the community in various capacities, and himself having overcome seemingly insurmountable odds, TJ leans on his life and scholarship experience to create spaces for vulnerability, authentic expression, and healing. His experiences include being on the leadership board of several employee engagement organizations, founding a wellness accountability group for millennials, and founding another group focused on creating a space for emotional vulnerability for men.

TJ’s passion lies in working with underserved communities, and breaking the barriers to access and stigma surrounding “doing the work”. He believes that a meaningful life is created, and the tools necessary to create that meaning can be made available to everyone.