About Dr. Norris, Financial Therapy

Who I Am

I’m Dr. Robin Raniero Norris a coach and marriage/family therapist who has a passion about doing financial therapy. I help couples and leaders talk about money and finances in more comfortable ways. My Doctoral degree is in Counselor Education and Supervision from Capella University. I earned a double eagle with a Master’s and Bachelor’s from Boston College. My Licenses are in Virginia 0717001193/ California 41187/ Telehealth only Florida TPMF14.

I grew up on the New Jersey Shore. I also lived extensively on both coasts of the United States and in the United Kingdom. Through my moves I have had the privilege of meeting with a broad range of clients from many cultures and social structures.

Windward Optimal Health started through my enthusiasm about helping others achieve a balanced life around money and finances.  I combine the knowledge I gained from being a scholar and a sailor to help achieve teamwork in couples. I instill a go-getting attitude with individuals in the field of financial therapy.  Life is about always learning, exploring, sharing, and connecting. I am on a quest to the get people to a more settled place in their financial lives.

I enjoy working with male industry leaders and couples around the psychology of money, financial therapy, trauma, loss, self-exploration, and communication.

My Heart of a Teacher

As a community resource, I have provided aftercare support for families from the Steve Harvey and Hoarders shows. I have been interviewed by ABC news.

I continue to enjoy my work also as an adjunct professor teaching master’s level courses for the Counseling department at William and Mary. I also taught undergraduate level courses for the Human Services department at Old Dominion University. Courses I teach include Crisis Management, Ethics, Field Observation, Addiction and Family Systems, and Introduction to Substance Abuse.

My being a scholar seeps into my sharing through the writing of a blog that you can find here.  If there are topics of interest that you would like to see written, want me to speak about, or would like me as your therapist or coach don’t hesitate to reach out to me. In order to be an ever expanding teacher I continue to grow my own knowledge base through workshop attendance and by reading both trade books and professional articles such as those located in the Financial Therapy Association Journal. I also attend monthly Executive Circle meetings run by Drs. Brad and Ted Klontz through the Financial Psychology Institute .

Why Financial Therapy and How It Is Different Then Psychotherapy for Mental Health?

Money can be fun and terrifying at the same time like riding the coolest roller coaster ever. My role as a financial therapist is to guide you through the ride. This can include the before, during, and after to assist you with the emotional balance of it all. Everywhere we turn there are talks about the hard stuff in life such as sex and death. But, the one thing that has the most daily impact in our lives is money. Money is physical, emotional, psychological and helps shape who we are as people whether we want it to or not. It even drives who we surround ourselves with, guides the choices we make, and shapes the dreams we have.

***All financial therapy that happens with me is coaching and is not psychotherapy. You will not be diagnosed with a code from the Diagnostic manual for mental health. This service is not reimbursable  through insurance of any kind. Psychotherapy however does involve a Diagnostic code and may be reimbursed through any out of network benefits you may have. Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account (HSA & FSA) money can be used for psychotherapy only and not coaching. I can not and will not be both your coach and therapist in the time that I know you. When we connect, you can help me to understand which service you are needing coaching or psychotherapy. If you need both, I have a robust referral list of many other providers in both categories that I can suggest you might consider looking at to see if they too would be a good match for your needs.

How I Can Help

My approach to financial therapy is to listen to your story.  I help you discover the parts that you may not have noticed before. While I aid you look at your numbers, it is not important to me what specifically the money amount or number is. What it and the pattern of numbers mean to you is the key element.

With me, you will find methods that work for you and your lifestyle that you want to achieve. There are many wonderful resources that talk about saving and spending for the today and the tomorrow. I will help you to create systems that will be tailored to you and your needs. I’ll help you to discover tools that works for your learning style. Through this, you will hopefully find more calmness in your daily choices. My therapy style is to allow for a no judgement zone and to be open and honest. Not everyone is ready for this, but those that have come on board have said it was worth it.

Click here to reach out to me today.