Zak Borden (He/Him)

My Approach to Helping

My approach is anchored in the practice of building present-moment and somatic (body-based) awareness. Your story is important and needs to be tended with care. At the same time, I offer the space and gentle guidance to allow you to slow way down and build the capacity to feel what is happening in the here-and-now. I invite teachings from the natural world to nurture a broader, ecological view of your mental health and encourage greater psychological flexibility.

My Personal Beliefs and Interests

I hold deep values of inclusion, social justice, cultural humility, and openness. By cultivating mindful curiosity, compassion, and acceptance, together we can create the conditions for a more natural and lasting change. I entered the counseling profession with 30 years of experience in holistic music education and performance, teaching adults both individually and in groups to connect with their innate creativity. That work inspired a much deeper inquiry: how might we become more grounded, flexible, engaged, loving, and creative human beings? I embarked on years of study in Buddhist meditation, movement practices, and solo trekking in the wilderness. Slowly, I grew to be more present with my own pain and patterns, which invited deeper healing, community, self-compassion, and a desire to serve.