About the author
Author, professional speaker, coach, and certified hypnotherapist, Joseph Zarek is on a mission to eradicate domestic violence and Post Traumatic Stress-Disorder (PTSD). This became important to Joseph because he was molested at the age of six by a camp counselor, and grew up with an abusive, alcoholic father whose extreme destructive actions and behavior tore his family apart. Joseph spent two decades traveling around the globe in the military. After multiple deployments into harm’s way, Joseph was misdiagnosed with PTSD. When it was time to separate, the Veterans Administration told Joseph he didn’t have PTSD. This is when Joseph made it his mission to eradicate PTSD. While he might not have it; today there are many men and women with PTSD being told they don’t have this condition. Some suffer in silence, some take their own lives. And while there are many individuals in the private and public sector doing the best job they can caring for over Vets; Joseph believes not taking care of, or turning away Vets is just wrong. Joseph believes our men and women in uniform deserve better.
Joseph is one of today’s foremost experts in handwriting analysis. Qualified in both forensic psychology and counseling, he has presented more than a thousand briefings, lectures, and multi-media presentations, as he spent two decades traveling in the military around the globe as the go-to-guy in the fields of cryptology, military intelligence, special and national security. He has authored, proofread, and edited thousands of publications like intelligence information reports, articles, professional evaluations, manuals, memorandums, instructions, and presentations. After two decades in the military, Joseph went on to work for the government catching naughty folks.
Joseph has also pre-screened, interviewed, and processed over 4,000 individuals in the US Navy for security clearance eligible up to Top Secret SCI. He successfully utilized handwriting analysis to detect pre-existing behavior and personality trait red flags.
But this doesn’t tell his whole story. Having overcome the challenges of Spina Bifida, he enlisted in the Navy, served with honor and then nearly lost his right leg to gangrene in the First Gulf War. The result was a permanently paralyzed leg, but still, Joseph successfully completed in the January 2010 Walt Disney World Marathon race in Orlando, FL. It took him seven hours to complete the course. At mile 18, his shoes went flat and body was spent. A running coach appeared out of nowhere, and asked Joseph why he was running. Joseph replied “I’m running for veterans who can no longer run.” This motivated Joseph to finish the marathon. Doctors had told him, you’ll end up in a wheel chair at some point. If that happens it happens – there will always be people worse off than me and I have nothing to complain about,” he said.
Joseph completed his undergraduate degree at Marymount University, and holds the following certifications: U.S. Navy Alcohol and Drug Abuse Managers/Supervisor (ADAMS) Facilitator, Document Examination, American Institute of Applied Science (AIAS), Forensic Document Examiner Certificate, the International School of Forensic Document Examination, Certified Statement Analyst, Advanced Forensic Investigator Certificate, John Reid’s Basic and Advanced Interview and Interrogation Techniques, International Conversational Hypnotherapist, FBI Developmental Instructor Certificate, and is working on his dual masters in Forensic Psychology and Counseling. Joseph also is an honorary chair of the Coalition of Handwriting Analysts, International (CHAI).
No one is more motivated and more willing to see things in a positive light or more ready to accept a challenge. Years ago, Joseph survived near death from MRSA, a virulent bacterial infection. Two surgeries to remove the MRSA, and speaking to a priest and rabbi couldn’t deter Joseph. As the Chief Surgeon told Joseph get his house in order, because over 70% of individuals at this stage where you’re at don’t make it. Joseph just smiled and said “Doc, this may be true, but you and your staff treat me like I’m part of the other 30%; because I still have a lot of work to do!” Joseph knew he had a lot more to do in this world and he made a commitment to God that if he could stick around a bit longer, he would dedicate himself to helping people. And with his mission, do his part to help eradicate PTSD.