Therapist Mark Awdykowyz Photo

Mark Awdykowyz, LPC

Stress, Anxiety Addictions Trauma, Abuse Anger management Depression
Video Phone Live Chat Messaging

About me

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.






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Professional experience

31yrs in practice
Stress, Anxiety Addictions Trauma, Abuse Anger management Depression

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

Clinical approaches: Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Solution-Focused Therapy

Services offered

Video
Phone
Live Chat
Messaging

License information

WY LPC LPC-1815

Reviews

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