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Guest Name
David Yonkin
Guest Occupation
Psychotherapist, Gender Specialist, Clinician, Consultant, Spiritual Facilitator, Consciousness Explorer, Parnomral Phenomena Researcher, Writer
Guest Biography
I received my Master's in Clinical Social Work from New York University in 2001 and am in private practice as a licensed and credentialed psychotherapist.   One of those over-educated persons, I have other degrees and certifications in music, art history, fine arts, computer graphics, and journalism.

I have lived in New York City for 30 years, and so have a deep and abiding sense of this amazing city that I adore, having seen and survived more than I sometimes care to remember, including the AIDS epidemic which claimed so many. My work with depression, death and dying, grief and loss stems directly from this experience, as does my focus on substance abuse recovery and sexual addictions. I have a strong understanding of the 12-Step Program and work with  people in early recovery, and with those with more time who seek to strengthen the deeper spiritual aspects of their program.

A Gender Specialist, I am a full member of WPATH (The World Professional Association for Transgender Health, formerly HBIGDA,) a global organization of trans-care providers. I've worked with people of trans and intersex experience for almost 15 years, providing assessments, diagnoses, referrals and ongoing therapeutic support before/during/after gender affirming transitions. I interface with surgeons, endocrinologists and other professionals, providing them with letters of recommendation for hormonal and surgical treatments, as well as ongoing aftercare support on a mental health basis. I'm also a member of the American Psychological Association.

I have many years of experience working as a clinician and consultant for a private employee assistance program on Wall Street, interfacing with employees, managers, and their Human Resources across the globe — I'm well-versed with the grief, fear and trauma arising from downsizing or the threat of it, while being faced with decimated departments and added responsibilities and hours.  Many are faced with difficult decisions about the current job, and my wish is that any decisions are made from as clear a mind as possible.  As well, I have a certification in life coaching, which is quite useful when working to seek such clarity and support change.

Having a deeply spiritual commitment to myself and others, I explore, study, and utilize various meditational and  contemplative techniques — sometimes called "mindful awareness" among other things — in my own life and in my therapy practice. I have privately studied Celtic Shamanism and Jungian dreamwork, and have a certification in Consciousness Studies from The Monroe Institute in Virginia.  For many years I have been working with other professionals in research and development in what might be termed  "paranormal phenomena"   — and have written and published in this area.