Steve Marks, LPC, CPCS

While most of my peers are busy retiring, playing golf or traveling the world, I signed a lease and opened my own practice, Radical Pathways Counseling. If “retirement” is doing what you want when you want, then I have been retired for 10 years. Teaching DBT skills and working with people to create a life worth living is my calling, my purpose and my passion.

A few not-so-minor details that might influence your choice as to whether or not to work with me: I am quite contentedly married for over 31 years to my beloved Saber. I have two “only” children, Philip (39) and Hayley (33) and 3 A-Dorable! grandchildren (and their delightful momma Sabrina). Sadly, Philip and the kiddies live in Los Angeles so I don’t get to see them as much as I’d like. Saber and I have lived in Ellijay, GA for 17 years and may actually be screwed down for life here. We’ll see… For fun I play the guitar (I prefer 12 strings), toodle around in my 2007 Miata or ride “The Dragon”, my 2001 Honda Shadow Sabre 1100. I am a Christian, and while the Gospel is truly at the heart of what I do and why I do it, I don’t get preachy or condemning. My acceptance of my patients (students) is unconditional, although I WILL question where your beliefs come from and what informs them.

I have worked with the Intensively Trained team at Atlanta DBT (www.atlantadbt.com) for over 9 years, and in that time have become the primary classroom skills trainer. I also have a caseload of individual students. I have intensive level trainings in DBT, DBT-F (family), DBT-PE (trauma) and the sub-specialties of eating disorders and substance abuse. I do not treat eating disorders as the level of care required is beyond what I am capable of providing. I have worked with patients from the Georgia Regional hospital system and have trained their paraprofessional staff statewide in DBT skills, and have taught DBT both in-home and in office for 12 years. I am the co-creator of the first anywhere Stage 3 DBT curriculum, as well as an intensive yet comprehensive 20 week DBT curriculum.

My trademarked phrase “Understanding Brings Authority” goes to the heart of DBT: We experience our emotions and by Observing them and Describing with accuracy what we’re feeling, we gain authority over the emotions. We can CHOOSE what we pay attention to. We all feel what we feel! Whether we pay attention to those feelings is now a choice. That is freedom.