My Clients
- Many successful entrepreneurs, executives, professional athletes, engineers, graduate students, sales and marketers and others who have perseverance and want to perform better.
My Story
- In 1955 I was born to a strong Irish Catholic mother, my father was struggling to find work having moved from a rural upstate farm. We were the only white family in a poor and violent neighborhood.
- My childhood experience was filled with family members with schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, PTSD, physical abuse and depression.
- I was extremely hyperactive when I was in grade school. In the early 60’s only the most severe cases of hyperactivity in children were treated; but not mine. I had what is now called ADHD, back then. As a result of not being able to stay still, I had a lot of drive. I channeled it into a series of jobs that allowed me to learn a lot of productive skills: At the age of 5, I delivered newspapers, by 8, I was earning money by working on cars and fixing appliances, at 16, I was an apprentice electrician and owned a couple of ice cream trucks. Not all positive, I did have difficulty staying in school; but I was resourceful and by 18, I graduated high school and finished my second year of college. I joined the military and at 19 became the youngest Army commissioned officer at that time. Through this I learned discipline and perseverance. I learned to be fearless and that I can learn different vocations.
- In 2000 I was critically injured in a boat explosion incurring 35% burns, and an explosion head injury (TBI), and PTSD.
- I spent the next 8 years getting help and learning how to deal with stress, anxiety, depression, PTSD, attention, memory and processing speed issues. I progressed, ultimately getting a doctorate in clinical psychology – majoring in neuropsychology (2013), studying eastern methods, finding out I had the gift of healing, refining methods and teaching thousands how to deal with similar issues.
- In summary, within my life experience, I have been, an infantry captain, finance director, management scientist, fortune 50 consultant, race car driver, software company owner, c suite executive and now a licensed clinical psychologist. I have dealt with poverty, violence, ADHD, anxiety and depression as well as recovering from a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
HOW THIS EXPERIENCE BENEFITS YOU!
- Been there, done that! I truly understand and empathize with the feeling. I can relate, without enabling.
- Using this experience, I have developed a straight forward program to get you to wholeness. regardless of your past life experiences or failed attempts with other programs.
- My program supports continued personal growth, going beyond solving for issues and survival to learning skills to prosper and live life.
For those who want the details…
Headline from the BALTIMORE SUN, May 24,2000
“Man critically hurt in boat explosion”
Most clients tell me my most inspiring story is my recovery from life threatening injuries from a boat explosion in May, 2000. Injuries that included TBI, 36% burn injuries to skin, nerves and lungs, as well as, psychological injuries – anxiety, depression, PTSD. I lost my company and life’ savings. This event was the start of a twenty year journey to develop the new me. It was my transformation from a person:
- who had to be retrained to walk and how to grasp and use his hands from nerve damage
- with many cognitive issues, I could not make change for a $20 bill at a convenience store
- had attention with memory deficits so significant that I lost 17 pairs of prescription glasses and had 5 car accidents in my first year after the incident
- anxiety so severe that I could not sleep well and depression so deep than my psychiatrist labeled my desire to have the pain stop as “a passive death wish”
to a person who gradually, over the years, functionally evolved from:
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- a low of being so dysfunctional that I was on Social Security Disability Insurance
- next step was driving a truck
- took the Kaplan GRE course 8 times as cognitive rehab to train my mind to focus, attend, improve memory, and obtain 8th grade skills
- then going back and starting college over to obtain a second bachelor’s degree to get my base skills back
- eventually getting a low level analyst job, progressing through 12 years to manager, consultant, and VP of product
- Lastly, earning a doctorate in clinical psychology at the top of my class and becoming a clinician.
PERSONAL GROWTH PHILOSOPHY
More importantly, however, I learned not to look back and try to become the person I was, but to look forward and grow into the person I could be. I changed from a person who was overly egotistical, confident, competitive, a risk taker, capable of being rude and inconsiderate when in a hurry, who was always overcompensating, striving for more, to a person that is grateful for what he has, slowed down enough to let others go first and to show compassion to all he meets.
I learned that true healing is always physical, psychological and spiritual; a profound change in psyche is what leads to peace, contentment, compassion and love.
I believe the power of therapy comes from connection of the client and the therapist and often to even a greater power. I draw from existential – Catholic – Jewish – Buddhist philosophy, taking what is universal and practicing meditation and prayer every day.
Insight is the advantage gained from reflecting on experience. I don’t talk about myself. I do use personal stories to make a point. I have one for almost every situation. You will find that I love to share life and adventure, and am genuinely happy.
I specialize in trauma, loss and cognitive deficits. My remedies amplify the very best aspects of systems theory, modern neuroscience, evidenced based psychological techniques, cognitive mind body practices and spirituality in healing deep and often complex psychological afflictions.
In summary, I am well prepared by life to sit with you, help guide you and stay with you as you go through the storms of life on your journey, on your own transformation.
Yours in the universe,
“Doc”
Roger LaVine, Psy.D.
Licensed Psychologist PY10647
Education:
- Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology 2014, Carlos Albizu University, Miami, FL;GPA 4.0, Graduated with honor of Ultimate Distinction, Dissertation Topic: Burnout
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology 2006, Widener University, Chester, PA; GPA 3.95, Summa Cum Laude
- Bachelor of Business Administration 1986, Western New England College, Springfield, MA