Mark received his undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, master’s degree from Naropa University, in Boulder, Colorado, and brings 10+ years of clinical experience applying mindfulness-based interventions to those suffering from substance use and dual-diagnosis disorders.
Mark’s mindfulness-based perspective on treatment for substance use disorders is informed by the many Buddhist meditation retreats that he has participated in over the years, as well as by his daily meditation practice. Working in this way with his own emotional experience has allowed Mark more ability to look closely at himself in a kind, non-judgmental way to find the opportunity for growth in his pain, a practice he brings to his work with clients.
Over the course of his career working with clients to recover in residential, outpatient, and community mental health settings, Mark has seen first-hand the benefits that consistent application of mindfulness-based practices can have on people’s ability to recover. These include a greater ability to tolerate and cope in healthier ways with cravings, an increased capacity to accept oneself free from guilt and shame, as well as greater emotional and relational flexibility.
Mark is also trained in eye-movement and desensitization reprogramming (EMDR), DBT, and Motivational Interviewing facets of which he incorporates in various ways during both individual and group treatment.
In his free time, Mark enjoys spending time with his wife, son, and daughter exploring nature through hiking, camping, and paddle boarding all over the beautiful state of Colorado. Mark also enjoys watching the Minnesota Vikings and Twins, and listening to music, in whatever free-time he has leftover.