Motivations

I was raised in a military family and spent many of my early years in a state of exploration and travel, visiting many countries and living in various places throughout the US.

No matter where I went or lived, I was always fascinated by people and their unique qualities, differing cultures and ethnicities, and alternate world views.

Early in life I made it my mission to place myself in the shoes of the people I encountered in order to see the world through their eyes.

After many years of wandering, traveling, and working random jobs my passion for people and helping others grew and eventually led me to school where I completed my bachelors and masters in psychology and counseling.

Shortly after completing school I began working with the homeless population in the streets of Wilmington, NC.

Eventually, this pursuit led to the establishment of a food bank and residential living facility in downtown Wilmington where I offered professional counseling services for many years to homeless residents residing within the facility.

In March of 2001, my life took an unexpected turn. This turn was brought on by a near death experience that occurred at sea when I was out deep sea fishing with friends off the Carolina Coast.

This experience gave me a tremendous respect for the ocean and the Coast Guard, and the associated trauma led me to ridding myself of worldly attachments and spending the next year pursuing new and interesting experiences and all that life has to offer.

Whether performing mission work for Karen and Akha Tribes in Thailand, building homes for the less fortunate in Appalachia, or feeding and serving the homeless in San Diego and Wilmington, I have always enjoyed helping those in need, and all of my experiences including my many failures and struggles have formed me into the person and clinician I am today.

My personal failures and mistakes have taught me the value of perseverance, faith, humility, and kindness and I am extremely grateful for them all.

I believe that while we are not all the same, we share a common ground, and that is we are all susceptible to pain, to hard times, to struggles, to isolation, and to feelings of hopelessness, shame, and guilt.

My goal as a clinician is to create a nonjudgmental atmosphere and connection that fosters and encourages positive transformation and change while simultaneously relieving stress and promoting peace.

I am extremely grateful for life and for the opportunities I have been afforded.

I look forward to the days ahead and the possibility of working with you.

Experience

8 years: Oceanside Counseling LCMHC PC: Owner, Clinician, Private Practice, Wilmington, Jacksonville, NC

19 years: Relationship / Career Coach: Wilmington, Jacksonville, NC

5 years: Military Family Life Counselor (MFLC): Contractor, Camp Lejeune, NC

1.25 years: Family Services: IIH/FC/DT: Director, Wilmington, Jacksonville, New Bern, NC

2 years: Rehabilitation Counselor, Wilmington, NC

4 years: Military One Source: Contract Clinician, Private Practice, Jacksonville, NC

11 years: Wilmington Dream Center: Clinician, Private Practice, Wilmington, NC

9 years: Jarrod Gray LCMHC PC: Owner, Clinician, Private Practice, Wilmington, Jacksonville, NC

2 years: Brynn Marr Hospital, Juvenile Intensive Treatment Unit: Clinician, Jacksonville, NC

1 year: New Alternatives: Social Worker, El Cajon, CA

1 year: Fort Bragg Family Life Center/The Waters Center: Clinician, Fayetteville, NC