John truly enjoys working with individuals, couples and families. John believes everyone should have the opportunity to experience Brainspotting and its transformational power to help heal and recover from trauma and negative experiences. And Brainspotting’s transformational power for growth and expansion with artists, athletes, creatives and leaders.
John is a Certified Brainspotting Practitioner; Brainspotting Consultant and Trainer in Training. He is dedicated to bringing Brainpotting to non white mental health and healthcare professionals in Counter-Space or Affinity Space environments.
John was born in Guyana, South America and currently maintains a full time private psychotherapy practice in Oakland, CA with specialties in treating Addictions, Anxiety, Depression, Eating Disorders and Couples/Relationships. He was the first Black male psychotherapist in the world to become a Certified Gottman Method Couples Therapist.
An enthusiast for Brainspotting, John completed Brainspotting Phase 1 in February 2018. Since then, he has completed Phase 2; Phases 3 & 4, Brainspotting Masterclass with David Grand, Phd, Founder and Developer of Brainspotting; Brainspotting with Addictions – Crocodile Set-up; Brainspotting with Children and Adolescents, Brainspotting-Reframing and Reprocessing Language; was co-trainer with David Grand, PhD for the first ever Brainspotting Phase 1 training for Therapists of Color in Atlanta, GA December 2019.
John has 29 years post masters experience working with very distressed families and couples. His experience includes both direct service and clinical supervision in healthcare (medical and psychiatry), community mental health, homelessness/homeless prevention and child protective services and private practice.
John graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work with Departmental Honors from Atlantic Union College in South Lancaster, MA. He holds a Master of Social Work with a concentration in Health and Mental Health from Walla Walla University and a Two Year Post Masters Certificate in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy from City University of New York – Hunter College School of Social Work. He is also a Certified Cognitive Behavioral Therapist in the treatment of Anxiety in Children and Youth by the Anxiety Disorders Association of British Columbia.
John served on the boards of directors for Washington State Chapter for the National Association of Social Workers and the New City Chapter for the National Association for Social Workers where he co-chaired the LGBT Social Work Committee and was founding co-chair of the Social Workers of African Descent Committee.