Mark Stone, (he/him/his), Student Intern

HI. I’M Mark!  

Mark is pursuing his master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Walden University. Before embarking on his counseling career, Mark earned dual degrees in Computer and Electrical Engineering from North Carolina State University. He completed an internship at a small technology firm and was then recruited by major tech companies IBM and Toshiba, where he worked for five years. The mental and emotional strain of corporate life led Mark to change his career path. With the support of his family and mental health therapists, he began his journey to becoming a counselor.

Growing up in a military family, Mark moved every two years and spent much of his early life as the perpetual “new kid” in public schools. A chronic illness that required medical care off the military base further shaped his experiences. He faced bullying both in school and in the tech industry, which deepened his understanding and respect for individuals striving to maintain authenticity in a culture that often demands assimilation.

As a white, cisgender, straight man, Mark continuously examines how his privileged identities influence the spaces he occupies. He specializes in working with individuals who have been historically marginalized, dismissed, or vilified due to their identities or opposition to oppressive systems. Mark collaborates with clients to explore their experiences within their environmental context, helping them identify supportive systems and forge their own life paths. He is dedicated to creating spaces that authentically reflect his clients’ interconnected identities.

Mark works with adults from diverse backgrounds. As an individual with both autism and ADHD (AuDHD), he has a special passion for supporting clients with neurodivergence, anxiety, depression, identity exploration, and life transitions. Mark is LGBTQIA+-affirming and welcomes clients exploring their identities on their own terms, free from societal subjugation.