Having been raised as an only child and a second generation American, my father was a functional alcoholic who taught me the meaning of hard work and relational disconnection. My Italian mom was nurturing, provided unconditional love and began teaching me how to cook at age 13. When my parents divorced when I was a young teen, it left me feeling hurt, angry, confused, lost and alone. At seventeen, I joined the US Marines, hoping to prove my worth or die trying in Viet Nam. Fortunately, I was never shipped overseas. That four-year stint resulted in drug addiction, two meritorious promotions and a spiritual awakening that has kept me sober since November 1976. After an honorable discharge, my formal education began in the allied health profession, followed by biblical studies, a Masters in Divinity, a Masters in Theology and a Masters in Community Counseling.
My spiritual journey began taking root in 1978 through The Navigators ministry. In 1982, I married my one and only wife; she has been instrumental in helping me develop into a better man. After completing seminary, I served in inner city rescue ministry for nearly 12 years, then returned to active duty as an Army Chaplain due to 9/11, and retired in December 2013. I then worked for the Veterans Health Administration in a psychiatric residential treatment facility for mental health and substance abuse disorder; I retired in September 2019.
Life is full of uncertainties and it rarely turns out as we had planned. I believe that we are sojourners in this world and need the support of a healthy community of family, friends and a life grounded in the truth that's wrapped in love. We all have made mistakes and poor choices along the way; I know that I am no exception here. I also know that the world isn't always a safe place and some of us have suffered trauma at the hands of others. Sometimes, those whom we had trusted to keep us safe actually caused the harm. So whether we struggle with guilt and shame, anxiety, depression, anger, substance abuse, addictive behavior or simply can't seem to make sense of life, we shouldn't allow ourselves to journey alone. I believe that there are solutions to life's challenges. Those solutions, though not always easily uncovered, are designed to be revealed by embracing the struggle together and pushing through them. We are not designed to navigate life alone, nor avoiding life's difficulties through denial, self-medication or any other unwanted or unhealthy behavior that masks the pain. I believe that as humans in the Western culture, we tend to suffer in silence. What is that about? Consequently, I believe we should all begin with a very short, but profoundly deep question: "Do I want to become well?"
During my four plus decades of recovery, it has been a privilege to assist people as a chaplain, teacher and counselor. Listening to my clients' stories has also helped me become a better person and certainly, a more empathic listener and less of an interrogator. I consider myself a fellow pilgrim in this journey called life who longs for a place where righteousness, peace and joy abounds. I enjoy working out daily, cooking, reading for personal growth and professional development, teaching, encouraging others, meeting positive and like-minded people, driving my 1972 VW and seeking to maintain a healthy balance in my life.
Additional areas of focus:Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Parenting issues, Self esteem, Compassion fatigue, Drug and alcohol addiction, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Mark Awdykowyz. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Mark has been very good to help me sort out my thoughts and guide healing patiently.
Written on Jun 11, 2024 after therapy with Mark for 1 year and 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, parenting issues, and self esteem
Mark understands the root causes of what I am expressing emotionally and helps me to identify those and identify steps/actions to help resolve them. I feel like he understands me, I like that he doesn't give up on me. I appreciate the Godly aspects of our sessions that help me to focus on what is most important and reset my heart and mind to move forward in the right direction. I have found our sessions very effective and valuable to my overall spiritual and mental health.
Written on Oct 05, 2023 after therapy with Mark for 9 months on issues concerning depression, and parenting issues
Mark has been wonderful to work with. Very happy with Mark and the work we have done!
Written on Jul 27, 2023 after therapy with Mark for 11 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and parenting issues
Mark has been extremely helpful to me as I work through some tremendous losses in my life. He is an effective listener and summaries what he has heard, verbally and in writing at the end of our sessions. These summaries allow me to reflect on our sessions, minimizing my own bias related to my experience.
I appreciate that he has helped me be accountable for the work I have to do to heal and progress in my life. I particularly appreciate the resources he has provided for me.
Written on Jun 08, 2023 after therapy with Mark for 2 months on issues concerning depression, and coping with life changes
Mark has helped me align myself exactly where I needed to be. He helped me guide myself by validation, accountability and understanding. He empowered me and will forever be thankful for that.
Written on Apr 19, 2023 after therapy with Mark for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, self esteem, and compassion fatigue
Mark is an incredibly compassionate and gentle soul. He is also perceptive and direct and so attentive, truly everything you could desire in a mental health professional. I feel completely respected and understood when working with him. Having his insight and support has improved my life immensely.
Written on Apr 06, 2023 after therapy with Mark for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, coping with life changes, and adhd
Mark listens attentively, identifies and addresses the real issues, and provides useful suggestions.
Written on Dec 21, 2022 after therapy with Mark for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety
Mark has a great listening ear and offers great empathy during his sessions
What I particularly enjoyed was his vulnerability to share similar stories of what he went through which helped give me hope with my own circumstances
He is gentle and really works at your pace- he also tells you the truth with love and is quite objective in doing so
Written on Dec 04, 2022 after therapy with Mark for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety
Mark is a wonderful therapist and has helped me through some very difficult times in my marriage, and helping me better deal with my depression and anxiety.
Written on Oct 31, 2022 after therapy with Mark for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, coping with life changes, and adhd
Mark has been and continues to be an attentive and extremely knowledgeable therapist. I have had less than ideal and unproductive experiences with therapy before working with Mark. He has helped me work through my issues and become a healthier me even when I have doubted myself at times during the healing process. I am so glad I reached out because it has changed my life for the better in so many ways and I will forever be grateful!
Written on Aug 31, 2022 after therapy with Mark for 4 months on issues concerning depression, relationship issues, and grief
He is great at listening and has great advice. He has the tools to help face, deal and cope with issues.
I’m still waiting to get on a more personal level but right now I’m stuck on one situation.
Written on Jul 06, 2022 after therapy with Mark for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, anger management, bipolar disorder, and adhd
He is amazing!
Written on Jul 03, 2022 after therapy with Mark for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, and coping with life changes
Mark dives right in! He helped me to identify my feelings and what is true about those feelings. I needed a real, solid plan to go forward with healing, and Mark was very straight forward with helping me make one. He used many different tools to get to the root of the issue and made sure I knew we were a team. He used experiences from the past to relate to me and really put himself in my shoes. I will continue to use these tools as I move on to my next chapter of life! Mark made it very clear that he is ready to help with anything!
Written on Mar 30, 2022 after therapy with Mark for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting issues, self esteem, and anger management
Mark has changed my life. I would t be who I am without his guidance. He’s fabulous.
Written on Jan 06, 2022 after therapy with Mark for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, grief, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Mark is the best therapist I have ever worked with. My gains are unmeasurable in the last 6 months since I have been working with him.
Written on Dec 08, 2021 after therapy with Mark for 6 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, self esteem, and anger management
Appreciate Mark's help a lot! I have been seeing quite a few therapists now but not a lot could really help me touch the root of my struggles. I can see that I am really making progress with the help of Mark.
Written on Nov 10, 2021 after therapy with Mark for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
Mark is an amazing therapist. I have grown so much recently and have been healing thanks to his guidance and wisdom.
Written on Nov 08, 2021 after therapy with Mark for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and addictions
I've been working with Mark for about 4 months and I've made more progress with him than any other therapist. He helps me feel safe and explore my emotions and trauma while learning to cope better. He is quick to respond and always helpful.
Written on Sep 29, 2021 after therapy with Mark for 4 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, parenting issues, and self esteem
Mark has played a key role in helping me to identify, analyse and understand the issues that I wanted to address when starting counselling. He has been fundamental on my journey and it didn't take long to see the benefits of his support. I would highly recommend Mark to anyone looking for help, as he is very easy to talk to and always asks the right questions, whilst giving you plenty of time to process new information. He also recommended reading materials, which was a great help in diving further in to the issues I had been experiencing. Quite simply, counselling with Mark has changed my life for the better, and it helped me well beyond the issues that I went to him for originally.
Written on Aug 30, 2021 after therapy with Mark for 2 months
Having Mark as a therapist is a truly life-changing experience. He is always listening closely and supporting you by wrapping the truth in love. Using his extensive knowledge and experience, Mark is always trying to help you take the right path and become your best version. He is patient, understanding, empathetic, and kind. Strongly recommend him to everyone who looks for a therapist who will help you seek the truth and change yourself into the person you want to be.
Written on Aug 26, 2021 after therapy with Mark for 5 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, and self esteem
Mark consistently asks the right questions to unveil core beliefs and the underlying issues. His willingness to listen, his precise summaries and wisdom in advice makes me feel understood and comforted. I'm hopeful that I can continue to heal.
Written on Aug 08, 2021 after therapy with Mark for 1 month
one session with Mark could change your life.
Written on Jun 21, 2021 after therapy with Mark for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, and self esteem
This is my first time in counselling and it was a great experience. Having someone who is genuinely willing to listen and understand you is such a big thing for me. Even tho I just ended the subscription due to some issues, Mark would still sent me messages that I needed to hear. He's great and honest with his words, and i didn't felt uncomfortable opening up to him.
Written on Jun 18, 2021 after therapy with Mark for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, compassion fatigue, and adhd
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