Psychologists to interview

Dr. Mark M. McNear is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and maintains a private practice in New Jersey. With over thirty years of experience in clinical practice, Dr. McNear now focuses on helping those who have had trauma, abuse, and addictions in their lives, sharing the hope of healing that he has realized in his own life. He graduated from Northeastern Bible College, New York University, and Oxford Graduate School. In addition to his private practice, Dr. McNear has been a speaker to general audiences nationwide. He has also been a frequent guest on nationally syndicated radio broadcasts and podcasts. He has written for magazines and co-hosted panelists in videos dealing with mental health. His new book, Finding My Words, A Ruthless Commitment to Healing Gently After Trauma, is available on Amazon.

Jeffrey Besecker is a dynamic and multifaceted content creator, podcast host, and behavioral therapist who is deeply dedicated to unraveling the complexities of human psychology, particularly focusing on subconscious and unconscious patterns that shape human behavior and influence decision-making. His career path has traversed a variety of fields, including brand development, hospitality management, and the restaurant industry, each contributing to his holistic understanding of human dynamics and behavior. Jeffrey specializes in addressing the unresolved psychological material that influences human responses and personal growth, with a mission to illuminate the unseen forces shaping behavior. Jeffrey Besecker, as a holistic behavioral counselor, has a distinct approach to subconscious and unconscious patterns compared to the traditional approach and practices of his cognitive contemporaries when addressing these deeper-rooted patterns. * His focus goes beyond addressing automatic behaviors or cognitive patterns by looking at the intricate psychological and emotional undercurrents that drive them. This approach incorporates both primary subconscious patterns (root beliefs, emotional memories) and secondary behaviors (habitual responses and conditioned reactions) to examine how they impact behavior at a deeper level.

Joel is a complex trauma therapist with a specialization in dissociative disorders. He runs a mental health collective in Birmingham Alabama. His focus as a therapist is on cutting edge brain based medicine for trauma and depth psychology. He received his BA in comparative religion from Sewanee: The University of the South and his Master’s in Social Work with adults and families from The University of Alabama. Across his 10 year career he has run a youth program for adolescents, worked with geriatric memory care patients, and worked with a community mental health program in service of chronically homeless patients with schizophrenia and severe mental illness. Joel’s academic areas of study include mythology, world religions, Jungian psychology, trauma theories, philosophy, ancient history, and cultural anthropology; as well as the history and philosophy of psychotherapy practice. Joel uses his diversity of academic and professional experience in therapy through an eclectic integration of many techniques for growth, healing, and meaning. Joel believes that therapy must begin with a genuine appreciation for each patient’s unique story and individuality. Joel is an somatic therapy, EMDR and Brainspotting trained clinician who often utilizes parts-based therapies and existential approaches to help clients overcome problems in a supportive and non-judgmental environment. He specializes in helping clients harness their own creativity and strengths to overcome barriers for growth and healing. When treating trauma, Joel uses a “trauma map” to allow patients to understand how trauma is affecting their emotional reality, physical sensations, somatic feelings, posture, communication style, and unconscious reactions. ​ In his personal life, Joel is an avid reader and home chef. He spends most weekends hiking and enjoying the outdoors with his wife and children. He is passionate about travel and exploring new cultures as well as new ways of being. In addition to working as a therapist, he also works as a photographer and writer. Got a question for Joel? Email: JoelBlackstock@GetTherapyBirmingham.com

John Sovec is a therapist/coach in private practice in Pasadena California who works with clients on career transitions, goal setting, and motivation. He is the clinical consultant for The Life Group LA , adjunct faculty at Phillips Graduate Institute and guest lecturer at Alliant University and USC School of Social Work. John is currently a member of the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. John Sovec is the author of multiple publications, is an internationally recognized speaker, and maintains a private practice. John is a respected trainer and presenter in the corporate, educational and non-profit sectors with over thirty years experience having designed professional training models and seminars for the Walt Disney Company, Paramount Studios, Pandemic Studios, Electronic Arts, and Washington Mutual, His work has been featured on The Riki Lake Show, OWN, Bravo, FOX, The Advocate, KTLA, ABC, LA Talk Radio, The Washington Post, readers Digest and columns for Huffington Post, Medium, and Good Therapy. John is the mental health expert for The Lisa Show on SiriusXM and the host of OutCare Chats.

I’m a somatic capacity and leadership coach for conscious and social entrepreneurs who want to lead boldly—with softness and without burnout. I help heart-driven visionaries grow businesses that align with their nervous system, integrity, and personal capacity. My work focuses on capacity-based business growth, expanding the ability to receive, hold, and sustain success without over-efforting or self-extraction. My clients know that business growth is personal growth—it requires deep inner shifts, not just external strategies. And they don’t have to choose between spirituality and business. As a pioneer of Soft Power Leadership, I challenge the push-and-hustle mindset. Strategy alone isn’t enough—true growth requires the capacity to embody and sustain impact, visibility, and leadership. With a background in psychology, talent development, and business, I blend energetics, embodiment, and spirituality to help entrepreneurs build businesses that feel strong, spacious, and sustainable. I’d love to have deep conversations on conscious entrepreneurship, embodied leadership, and redefining success beyond outdated, industrial-era approaches to work and business models.

Shulamit (she/her) is the Entrepreneurs' Therapist. She works with women business owners to care for their mental and emotional wellbeing in an era of relentless stressors that can make you want to lose your crap on the daily. Shulamit has been an entrepreneur for over 27 years and has more than 22 years of professional experience applying therapeutic, coaching and somatic tools to support women's mental health and personal growth. In addition to working with clients 1:1, Shulamit teaches in private and university business programs and speaks locally, nationally and internationally about the intersection of mental health, trauma, financial psychology and entrepreneurship. As an award-winning entrepreneur, masters-level, licensed trauma therapist and trauma survivor, with certifications in Brené Brown's Dare To Lead™ methodology, Trauma of Money, Nonviolent Communication and Yoga, Shula brings a unique perspective and approach to supporting women in business.

Jeffrey Besecker is a dynamic and multifaceted content creator, podcast host, and behavioral therapist who is deeply dedicated to unraveling the complexities of human psychology, particularly focusing on subconscious and unconscious patterns that shape human behavior and influence decision-making. His career path has traversed a variety of fields, including brand development, hospitality management, and the restaurant industry, each contributing to his holistic understanding of human dynamics and behavior. Jeffrey specializes in addressing the unresolved psychological material that influences human responses and personal growth, with a mission to illuminate the unseen forces shaping behavior. Jeffrey Besecker, as a holistic behavioral counselor, has a distinct approach to subconscious and unconscious patterns compared to the traditional approach and practices of his cognitive contemporaries when addressing these deeper-rooted patterns. * His focus goes beyond addressing automatic behaviors or cognitive patterns by looking at the intricate psychological and emotional undercurrents that drive them. This approach incorporates both primary subconscious patterns (root beliefs, emotional memories) and secondary behaviors (habitual responses and conditioned reactions) to examine how they impact behavior at a deeper level.