Welcome to the Circle of Outsiders Substack.
Why a “Circle of Outsiders?” When a man has a past plagued by chaotic, neglectful, or abusive incidents, there is likely to be a lot of distrust. Distrust makes it hard to join, connect, or belong. All men and women who care about them are welcome here, but those who identify as underdogs are more than welcome. Let’s help you find your power. But even outsiders need a circle to sit in.
This site aims to build a bridge between men who have dealt with significant trauma (Capital T trauma) and any support they can get, including therapy, pastoral counseling, or support groups. I also believe that the work that men do at men’s groups like the Mankind Project is unique, helpful, and potentially powerful, so I have a bias toward that kind of men’s work.
While I have an M.A. in General Psychology from Pepperdine University and an MDiv. from Fuller Theological Seminary, I’m neither licensed nor ordained now. I have served as a youth pastor in Pasadena, California, and have been licensed in North Carolina as a psychological associate. I spent almost 25 years off an on teaching and administrating as head of the middle school of Le Lycee Francais de Los Angeles.
I worked for almost a decade as a staff psychologist II in the North Carolina Department of Correction, now called the Department of Adult Correction as part of a few comprehensive treatment teams. A psychological associate, at that time, was licensed to diagnose and treat mental health issues through psychotherapy in N.C.
However, I decided not to continue my psych associate certification to move back to Le Lycee. I’ve since moved on from that great school and am now an independent writer and writer for hire. I spent nearly a decade writing as an independent contractor at 16personalities.com - go take the test. You’ll thank yourself.
So, it should be clear that I am not on this site as a psychotherapist or pastoral counselor. I’m a regular, unlicensed guy, passionate about men’s work and how it addresses trauma. This is a guy-to-guy or person-to-person, mind-to-mind, and heart-to-heart kind of thing.
So, how can I help? Let me know at circleofoutsiders@gmail.com.
- Darrell
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