About Craig Bleak

Who is Craig Bleak?  This sounds like a philosophical question that could take a few pages but if you're like me you would probably be bored by the second paragraph or sentence so I’ll spare you.  In reality, I am still learning about myself each day.  Probably like yourself, I am a student of life and I seek to learn and strive to apply the insights and understanding that certain basic principles of enduring happiness entail.  I still find that I get frustrated with myself for not applying sound principles of peace and happiness 100% of the time and I have found increasing joy and happiness when I have made choices that coincide with these basic principles.  I have found that the “pursuit of happiness” requires all of my effort, intellect, prayers and devotion.  While I consider myself a rookie in the field of mental health, I have always been fascinated and studied the common motivators for our behavior and social interactions and believe I have a theoretical understanding of mental health and human behavior that can be of assistance to many.

As far as my personal life goes... I am married with one very lively son who keeps us on our toes.  I enjoy sports of all sorts and find my passions have always been running, nature, art, family and reading.

Pertaining to academics, I received my bachelor’s in social work and my master’s in clinical social work from an accredited program that emphasized the provision of mental health services to family and youth.  Some of my most valued experiences have entailed the two years I worked with at-risk teenagers and their families in residential facilities and gained some understanding of the plight and difficult struggles of our teenage youth and their families.  I have worked for the past two years as a family and youth therapist under the tutelage of the director of a public mental health facility.  I am currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program in the field of Social Work.

About Larry Dunning

Sometimes I wonder how and why I entered the field of mental health.  Then I remember all the questions I had about myself, life, family, relationships, and suddenly I become very, very aware of why I got into the profession of counseling…to find some of those answers, and, in so doing, to attempt to help others find their answers.  That is my hope for this website…to help those seeking some of those same answers.  We all have challenges, and we all need a helping hand along the way.  We are hopeful that some of the guidance you find here would help in your understanding of self, relationships, life, and would help you as you progress in your path through life.

I have a Ph.D. in psychology, and have been practicing as a psychologist for 20 years within a community mental health center.  Most of my work has been with children and youth, but I have counseled many parents as they have tried their best to help their children.   My passions are my family (I have a wife and three sons), road biking, choral music, and camping (although, unfortunately, I am the only one in my family who shares that particular passion).  I have found that those pursuits have enhanced my time here on earth.  We hope that the information you find here can in some way enhance your experiences, and help make your life and your relationships richer and more fulfilling because you chose to spend some time here.