Geoffrey Zehnacker, MSW, LICSW
geoffrey@affinitypsych.com
Hello all! My name is Geof (he/him). I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW). After my military career in the U.S. Marines was cut short by traumatic brain injury, I found a love of continuing education and received my Masters in Social work from Walden University, followed with four years of work on a PhD at North Dakota State University. I am a transplant to the midwest, growing up in Delaware and upstate New York. I have lived in three of the four corners of the U.S., served overseas, and traveled nationally and internationally.
How I Work
I like to think that I specialize in people, not issues. I feel that rapport and trust are the foundation of any relationship which is why I do not narrow my practice down to specific populations or issues. I like to consider myself an open book, and as long as it doesn’t become about me, I am happy to share my successes and failures with anyone who can learn from them. I have a wide range of humor, and connect with sarcasm, banter, and always a good joke.
I am here for you (whoever you are). I adjust my approach to what works best for you – I do not expect you to have to conform to my therapeutic approaches. I do utilize play therapy (not just for the young in age); I support animal assisted interventions; and I utilize traditional approaches. But, I focus on what makes you most comfortable and fits best for you.
What Sets Me Apart As a Therapist?
This is my second career. I have a depth of personal experiences that have not been afforded to many others. I came into this profession backwards starting with a focus on being a researcher and educator; but, the personal loss of a MD friend who completed suicide redirected me down the provider path. With this diverse life experience, I understand trauma, and the grief, loss, sadness, fear, and all the other emotions that come with it. I pride myself on my ability to observe and see things that get blurred and overlooked by others.
I recognize that people are usually not seeking out a therapist when they have tons of free time, so I offer non-traditional working hours. I try to have availability early mornings and late evenings as well as one weekend a month, making my availability a unique asset. I don’t want therapy to be your full time job, and recognize that your time is valuable.
