I struggled a lot as a young man. Looking back, I wish that I would have had someone who could have been there to support me, to help me figure things out, and to validate who I was and what I was working towards. Without this guidance I ended up expending a great deal of time and energy in areas that weren’t fulfilling or productive, and created a lot of pain for myself and the people around me. I eventually did figure things out, but I often ask myself what might have been different if I would have had the support to really understand myself, and make decisions based on this self-awareness? This is the primary motivation for the work that I do with young men.
I was originally trained through the Co-Active Training Institute (www.coactive.com), and have integrated a number of other modalities into my coaching over the years including skills related to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and somatic coaching. I have been coaching private clients since 2007, and have focused exclusively on coaching young men since 2009.
My wife Rebecca and I are the proud parents of two amazing young women, so I have a first-hand understanding of the challenges and rewards of parenting teens and young adults. I want to support other families to make this phase of parenting as positive and enjoyable as possible.
Feedback about my work…
“Patrick has been a uniquely effective mentor to our son who has been struggling to take on his adult roles and responsibilities in a dignified manner. Our son put it best: “He helps you help yourself. He keeps your head high even when you can’t. He keeps you in your corner even if you are struggling to be in that corner. He is a friend when he needs to be, a mentor when he needs to be, and he makes you constantly check yourself.” We pay Patrick to help our son, so his first priority is our son’s interests, not ours. This is important to note. Patrick champions what’s important for the long term benefit of our son. To this end, he fully listens to us, too. Patrick has a special way of assessing the family dynamic (for better or worse), engendering trust, easing tension, and helping everyone to support our son with integrity. ” — Parents of 24 y/o man from Boulder, CO
“We are so grateful for your input into our son’s life and process. He has so appreciated you. We feel like you have been a real gift to him. Thank you for all you have done to help him continue working through his “stuff” and for holding him accountable. We hope you will always be a part of his life in some way” — Parents of 22 y/o man from Denver, CO
“I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate all your efforts on my son’s behalf and mine as well; the support, guidance, … and “boundary holding” you provided were an integral part of his plan and success.” – Mother of 22 y/o man from Los Angeles, CA
“Thank you for all you have done for our son and for us. Each interaction we had with you was positive and meaningful. But you may not know that on two occasions, your words and actions had a profound effect on me, my outlook and my convictions. There are not that many powerful moments [in life] and I am greatly appreciative.” – Mother of 19 y/o man from Chicago, IL