Richard began counseling individuals, couples and families over thirty-five years ago as a Catholic priest in Guatemala, Central America. It was in Guatemala that he learned Spanish and where he first dealt with the devastating effects of trauma in the lives of the Mayans. He continued counseling and spiritual direction as Director of a Theological Seminary in San Antonio, Texas.

After resigning from ministry and graduating with a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from John F Kennedy University in Orinda, CA in 1990, Richard interned as the bilingual therapist at the Family Resource Center in Salinas, CA. Subsequently, he was employed by the City and County of San Francisco’s Child Protective Services, working with children and families whose lives were affected by physical abuse, neglect and sexual trauma. Richard became licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in 1993 and, motivated by a desire to resolve emotional pain and the effects of trauma in adults and children, he opened his private practice in 1995.

Richard brings to his practice of psychotherapy a background in spirituality and social justice concerns, and views each individual as a unique manifestation of the vital creative universal source. He is respectful of all religious and spiritual backgrounds, including those who espouse no religious affiliation.

Richard recognizes that each person possesses an inherent vitality, or self-healing power, that moves the mind-body organism toward health and balance. At the same time, past patterning and traumatic events can pose obstacles that keep the person trapped in symptoms and dis-ease. Removing those obstacles can lead a person to a deepening wholeness and sense of connection within oneself, and support the resolution of symptoms.