I'm the first American-born child of immigrant parents, and for as long as I can remember I've been fascinated by people, stories, and what makes us do what we do.

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I was 22 when I received my Masters in Social Work.  I weaved in and out of the profession for several years before settling into the therapy world. I was an actor and comedic performer in New York City, studying at HB Studio and experiencing many stages. Alongside co-founding Full House and Company, a theatre ensemble, I was part of several improvisational comedy troupes, and writing groups. This is where I discovered something that would quietly shape the rest of my life: people laugh before they listen.

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Comedy has a unique way of lowering defenses. It creates safety, opens curiosity, and allows people to see themselves without shame.

 

As I was adding seasoning to my psychotherapy journey, I realized those same principles belonged in the therapy room.

Over the past several decades I've worked with children, teens, adults, couples, parents, therapists, educators, first responders, and organizations. Along the way I developed practical approaches that blend neuroscience, humor, creativity, trauma treatment, and self-talk into tools people can actually use in everyday life.

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Teaching has always been one of my greatest passions. Whether I'm presenting to a room of clinicians, coaching parents, speaking to organizations, or performing on stage, my goal is always the same: to help people better understand how their brains are wired so they can respond with greater awareness, flexibility, and joy.

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I'm not a neuroscientist, nor do I pretend to be. I see myself as a conveyor of ideas—someone who takes  clinical experience and everyday human struggles and humanizes them into stories, metaphors, and practical perspectives. My hope isn't to offer quick fixes, but to help people discover approaches that, over time, naturally become part of how they navigate everyday life—and even laugh about.

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In my practice, I make a simple commitment to every person who trusts me with their story: to help them discover that there are always more choices than their brain initially believes. When we understand how our brains are constantly seeking safety and connection, we begin to recognize that our reactions make sense—but they don't have to define us. With awareness comes choice. And with choice comes the possibility of change.

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Today, Heal With Neal brings together everything I've loved throughout my life—therapy, education, storytelling, comedy, creativity, and performance.  If you're laughing, you're learning.

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The truth is that Tammi Van Hollander reminded me that healing isn't about becoming someone else. It's about uncovering the parts of ourselves that fear taught us to hide. Her belief in me helped quiet a lifetime of struggle, making room for curiosity, connection, and purpose. If Heal With Neal has a heart, much of it began there.