I love living in Bangladesh! 

So a bit about me, I was born in Germany, grew up in America and have been living abroad since 2009. I first visited Bangladesh in 2011, and my family and I have called it home since 2014. During this time, I have worked in the development sector and remain deeply committed to supporting people and communities. Currently, I serve as the Managing Director of our family’s social business, Action Joy Enterprise Ltd., a role I stepped into after completing my MBA in International Business.

At the heart of my work is a passion for helping people grow, heal, and move forward. In counseling, I aim to provide a safe and confidential space where individuals can process what they are going through. When people feel truly safe, both the mind and body are able to begin healing and restoring. Many people feel hesitant to begin counseling due to concerns about medication or diagnoses. In my work, I do not prescribe or diagnose. Instead, I begin with talk therapy, creating a safe and confidential space where people can open up and begin inner healing. I hold a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and am a U.S. National Certified Counselor (#1600207). My training and experience include working with ADHD, depression, anxiety, neurodivergence, trauma, and high-functioning autism. While I work with clients of all ages and backgrounds, I often support young people and those navigating international transitions. When appropriate, I integrate creative approaches such as art therapy and play therapy.

Alongside counseling, I have been teaching English internationally since 2009. I have worked with learners across a wide range of ages and proficiency levels. I earned my Doctorate of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership and a Master of Science in Education: TESOL. My current focus is IELTS speaking preparation. I enjoy equipping students with practical tools and confidence to perform well under exam conditions. Because IELTS is highly structured, my approach centers on realistic speaking mock exams followed by clear, targeted feedback and focused practice strategies.

In addition to counseling and teaching, I am an American Board Certified Coach (#5963). Coaching allows me to take a practical, forward-focused approach—helping individuals clarify their goals, develop actionable plans, and build sustainable habits. I often describe this process as helping people “dream in realistic HD”—bringing clarity to their goals and creating a step-by-step path toward achieving them. This usually means slowly changing habits through helpful accountability structures that set people up for accomplishing their goals. I also place a strong emphasis on confidentiality, ethical practice, and creating a space where clients feel safe, respected, and not judged.

Regarding my personal life, I have the best wife and 5 kids a man could possibly ask for. When I am not working, you will usually find me playing sports with my kids. I am also constantly practicing Bangla—often while trying (not very successfully) to resist the temptation of delicious Bengali street food. Jhal muri is my favorite… extra jhal, of course!

In my limited free time, I enjoy going to the gym. These days, however, my workouts are becoming less about lifting weights and more about maintaining mobility and managing the realities of an aging body.

If you would like to learn more about my professional background, studies, and qualifications, feel free to explore my CV below. Otherwise, there is a good chance we might one day run into each other at the jhal muri stall.