Professional Biography
Dr. Ireland received his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park. Prior to working as a psychologist, Dr. Ireland began his career as an engineer, followed by extended work in higher education as an academic advisor and career counselor for undecided students. Dr. Ireland further developed his expertise in career-related issues through research around college students’ career exploration and decision-making process. Before joining HRC, Dr. Ireland has subsequently worked in several university counseling centers at University of Maryland, North Carolina State University and UNC-Chapel Hill. Dr. Ireland feels fortunate to have worked in many settings that valued multicultural approaches to therapy. Because of significant training and education in identity, career, and human development, Dr. Ireland has familiarity with a range of issues facing college students and adults including adjustment/transitional concerns, anxiety, depression, academic and career burnout, career exploration, career transitions, interpersonal and relationship concerns, identity development issues, LGBTQ+ concerns, trauma, existential issues, and grief/loss.
Personal Statement:
As a therapist I am primarily focused on providing my clients a safe, accepting, and collaborative space where we can partner together in exploring your concerns, gaining new insight, drawing on your strengths, and empowering you to make changes. I believe it is vitally important to bring a multicultural and social justice lens to the unique and intersecting identities that shape who you are, as well as the familial, cultural, and environmental contexts you navigate.
In psychologist lingo, I consider myself an insight-oriented, relational, and emotion-focused therapist, who draws mostly from psychodynamic principles and relational-cultural theory. In practice, I seek to provide trauma-informed care in a flexible manner, employing techniques that best fit the needs of my clients, and considering the way systems of privilege and oppression influence well-being. This general approach to therapy includes building on your self-awareness of the thoughts, emotions and behaviors at the heart of your concerns, exploring early origins of these thoughts/feelings, examining the interpersonal patterns that arise in your life, and providing an emotionally safe and trusting space to attempt new ways relating to yourself and others. I am invested in the personal growth and psychological well-being of all clients and hope to find ways to help you lead a more meaningful, connected, and intentional life.
Credentials and Associations:
Ph.D. Counseling Psychology, University of Maryland
M.Ed. College Student Personnel Services, University of Maryland
B.S. Engineering Physics, Ohio State University
North Carolina Psychological Association (NCPA)
American Psychological Association (APA)
Division 17 – Society of Counseling Psychology
Division 29 – Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy