Joel has been working as a clinical psychologist since 1996. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, USA, he moved to Aotearoa/New Zealand with his family in 2002 to work with the Community Alcohol and Drug Service (CADS) in Hamilton. Since then, he has worked with University of Auckland, Centre for Gambling Studies, CADS Auckland, Ara Poutama Aotearoa and Odyssey House, Christchurch. From 2014-2021, Joel was living in Gold Coast, Australia working as the Associate Clinical Director of Lives Lived Well and Senior Psychologist with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Community Health Services. Most of his career has focused on helping people change addictions and the many co-existing problems that often accompany them. 

Joel is an Adjunct Associate Professor with the School of Psychology, University of Canberra and a Senior Clinical Lecturer with the National Addiction Centre, University of Otago, Christchurch. He is a certified trainer in Motivational Interviewing and provides workshops here and overseas.

Joel works from an integrated Family Systems, Existential, Person-centred, and Cognitive Behavioural approach.  He works with young adults, adults, couples, and families seeking change and growth. He is skilled in working with addictions, trauma, and other psychological challenges. Regarding addiction recovery, Joel is experienced working alongside 12-Step (AA, NA, GA), SMART Recovery and moderation management approaches. Joel has a particular interest in working with people who are feeling “stuck” in their lives and wanting to move forward with meaning and purpose.

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