From Silicon Valley to the Sierra: One Father's Journey to Mental Health Counseling

From Silicon Valley to the Sierra: One Father's Journey to Mental Health Counseling

Sometimes we create the opportunity to make meaningful change happen.

Even while thriving as a technology lawyer in Silicon Valley, Tad had growing thoughts that he might one day serve others in a different capacity, from helping corporate executives navigate complex business and legal matters to serving individuals, couples, and families via mental health counseling. While the arc of his vision spanned many years, his journey from Silicon Valley tech attorney to Clear Mind Counseling's newest MFT student intern reflects a growing calling toward helping others navigate life's complexities.

Trading Tech Startup Life for Family Time

After building a successful career as an in-house technology lawyer at Facebook and Yahoo!, Tad made the intentional decision to retire early and focus on raising his three daughters in the beautiful Reno/Tahoe area. Those years of dedicated parenting taught him something profound about what really matters: connection, presence, and supporting others through life's challenges.

Now that his daughters are launching their college journeys, Tad is embarking on his own educational adventure, pursuing his master's in Marriage and Family Therapy. His transition feels like a natural evolution, applying his analytical skills and rich life experience in service of something that truly aligns with his values.

A Different Kind of Problem-Solving

Tad brings a unique perspective to therapy, recognizing similarities between his legal background and therapeutic work. Both require careful listening, analytical thinking, and helping people find solutions to complex problems. Where law focused on external conflicts, therapy addresses the internal landscapes we all navigate, our relationships, patterns of thinking and feeling, and capacity for growth and change.

Working with individuals, couples, and families, Tad utilizes evidence-based approaches including Emotionally Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Solution-Focused techniques. Whether exploring attachment styles, reframing limiting perspectives, or analyzing relationship dynamics, his goal remains consistent: helping clients develop greater self-awareness and healthier ways of connecting with themselves and others.

His legal expertise proves especially valuable when supporting clients facing divorce. After retiring early, Tad stayed engaged by volunteering "pro bono" to serve clients in need of support with the legal, financial, and emotional challenges that arise with difficult relationship changes, particularly when children and family court processes are involved. Clients appreciate having someone who truly comprehends the complexity of their experience.

Life Beyond the Office

When not in session, you'll likely find Tad exploring the Sierra Nevada with his Goldendoodle puppy, Oliver. Whether hiking summer trails or snowshoeing through winter landscapes, those mountains serve as a daily reminder of why he chose to call this area home.

Tad's love for exploration extends far beyond local peaks- he's traveled to all seven continents, experiencing diverse cultures and perspectives. These adventures have deepened his appreciation for universal human experiences we all share, regardless of geography. Through telehealth technology, he continues supporting clients while exploring the world's beauty and diversity.

His analytical nature also finds expression through stock market trading, bringing the same thoughtful approach that served him well in law to both investments and therapeutic practice.

The Privilege of This Work

What's most striking about Tad's journey is how every experience, his legal career, devoted parenting years, world travels, and market analysis, has prepared him for therapeutic work. Each chapter has provided tools to better understand and support the people who trust him with their stories.

As Tad completes his clinical practicum hours under supervision of Clear Mind Counseling's licensed professionals, he's continually inspired by the resilience and courage of his clients. He finds profound honor in being part of someone's journey toward healing, growth, and deeper connection.

Tad's warm, goal-oriented approach helps clients create meaningful progress and positive change in their lives and relationships. Through thoughtful exploration and evidence-based interventions, he guides people toward increased awareness and more fulfilling connections.

Ready to Begin Your Journey?

Tad is currently accepting new clients and welcomes the opportunity to support you on your personal path toward meaningful progress and positive change in your life and relationships.

From Silicon Valley to the Sierra: One Father's Journey to Mental Health Counseling