Collectors MD is proud to welcome Kevin Kastrava Jr., MA, LPC, LCADC, ICGC-I to their growing Referral Network.

Kevin is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed/Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor, and International Certified Gambling Counselor (ICGC-I) who brings a rare blend of clinical expertise and lived experience to the work. A recovering addict himself, Kevin understands the shame, secrecy, and “one more” mindset from the inside—then meets it with evidence-based care, accountability, and hope.

What Kevin Brings:

• Gambling-Specialized Care: relapse prevention, urges/trigger planning, and recovery stabilization for casino, sports betting, online gambling, and gambling-like behaviors.

• Evidence-Based Modalities: Motivational Interviewing, CBT, DBT-informed skills, and trauma-informed work.

• Whole-Life Repair: rebuilding financial health, repairing relationship trust, restoring self-worth and identity beyond the gamble, and reconnecting to purpose and community.

In Kevin’s words:

“I’ve walked through the darkness of addiction and know how isolating it feels. The truth is—you can break free. We’ll do it one honest step at a time.”

Earlier this year, Kevin was our first guest on The Collector’s Compass, where we unpacked the psychology of gambling, how it overlaps with hobby behaviors, and practical ways to recognize warning signs before compulsion takes control.

Availability & Access:

• Licensed Counseling: New Jersey (primary practice).

• Referral Network Support: Intro 1:1 conversations for Collectors MD members nationwide, with warm hand-offs to appropriate care.

• How To Connect: Visit our Get Help page on Collectors MD to request a confidential introduction to Kevin.

Collect With Intention. Heal With Support.
#CollectorsMD | #Therapy | #HobbyHealth | #RipResponsibly

Contact Kevin: cardcounselor@hotmail.com, @kjk92_
Watch Episode #1 of The Collector’s Compass

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For more information or to connect with a trusted professional through Collectors MD’s growing network, visit collectorsmd.com/resources.

Collectors MD is proud to announce the addition of Traylor Disbrow, LPC-A, to their growing referral and support network.

Traylor is a therapist based in South Carolina who brings both clinical expertise and lived experience to the challenges collectors face. His work spans anxiety, depression, grief, addiction, gambling recovery, and the powerful pull of “immediate gratification” behaviors—whether in collecting, technology use, or spending.

Drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Attachment Theory, Traylor helps clients understand the root of their compulsions while building healthier habits and resilience. His background includes facilitating alcohol and drug recovery groups, working directly with individuals struggling with gambling behaviors, and candidly sharing his own journey with compulsive collecting.

Traylor recently joined founder Alyx Effron on The Collector’s Compass podcast, where he spoke openly about the addictive patterns embedded in collecting, the importance of honest self-reflection, and how peer support and therapy can work hand-in-hand to create lasting change.

Collectors MD has always been about creating a bridge between peer support and professional resources. By welcoming professionals like Traylor into our network, we’re ensuring that members have access to trusted voices who understand both the mechanics of addiction and the unique dynamics of the hobby.

Traylor provides licensed therapy to residents of South Carolina, and offers informal 1:1 conversations and support to collectors nationwide.

Collect With Intention. Heal With Support.
#CollectorsMD | #Therapy | #HobbyHealth | #RipResponsibly

Traylor Disbrow’s Psychology Today Profile
Contact Traylor: traylordisbrow@palmettocounseling.com, @traylordisbrow
Watch Episode #6 of The Collector’s Compass

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For more information or to connect with a trusted professional through Collectors MD’s growing network, visit collectorsmd.com/resources.

Published September 18, 2025 | By Dayae Kim, LMFT, Collectors MD Referral Network

In my practice, I work with motivated, high-achieving, and successful individuals—whether in school, their careers, or family life. Many of my clients are driven, independent, and proud of what they’ve built. Their success often comes from their ability to work well on their own and push themselves beyond limits.

But with this strength comes a hidden challenge: stress management, burnout, and difficulty asking for help.

For many people, asking for help feels like weakness. After all, many of them have gotten to where they are by figuring things out themselves. But what happens when the pressure builds and it becomes so overwhelming that it starts to show up as sleepless nights, physical pain, or constant worry and rumination?

When Independence Turns Into Isolation

One of my clients operates a thriving company. When his business recently ran into several challenges all at once, he instinctively took on multiple roles to fix the problems. At first, he managed, but eventually the weight of it all started to show—he felt exhausted, his sleep was suffering, and he was experiencing intense physical pain in his neck and shoulders.

When I asked him if he believed he could figure it all out by himself, his immediate response was “yes”. That had always been his answer as he did well being self-reliant. But when I gently pointed out the toll this was taking on his health, he paused. For the first time, he considered that maybe he didn’t have to figure everything out alone.

What he was experiencing wasn’t weakness—it was the weight of carrying too much, for too long, without support. Throughout the session, we discussed what he could do to alleviate some of these symptoms and how he could seek help in ways that would not only reduce his stress but also allow him to feel good about it.

What Asking For Help Actually Looks Like

Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re incapable. It means you’re human. It means you’re choosing sustainability over burnout. And it often looks very different than people expect:

• Asking directly for support—for example: “I can’t do this right now, could you take this on?”

• Delegating tasks when too much is on your plate.

• Seeking guidance from a colleague, peer, or mentor who has been through similar challenges.

• Taking a break—mentally or physically—to reset before continuing.

Sometimes the most effective leaders are the ones who know when to lean on others.

Shifting The Perspective

If you’re someone who prides themselves on being independent, asking for help can feel uncomfortable. But consider this—asking for help doesn’t diminish your accomplishments, it protects them. It gives you the space to breathe, recover, and continue leading in a way that’s sustainable.

Instead of seeing it as a weakness, try viewing it as a strategy for longevity and resilience.

Tying It Back To Collecting

Collectors often carry this same burden of independence. Many in our community believe they have to manage the financial stress, the compulsive urges, and the emotional highs and lows of collecting all on their own. But just like in life and work, you don’t need to figure it all out yourself. Asking for help in the hobby might look like joining a support group, talking with peers who understand, or even pausing before the next purchase to reach out to someone who can hold you accountable and help you stay grounded. Collecting is supposed to bring joy—not isolation. Sometimes the most courageous step a collector struggling to find his or her footing can take is to admit, “I can’t do this alone”.

Conclusion

If you find yourself pushing through exhaustion, stress, or burnout, it might be worth asking: What would asking for help look like for me? Whether that’s at work, in your relationships, or even in therapy, asking for help is often the first step toward balance and relief. You don’t have to carry everything alone.

If you or someone you know is carrying too much and is ready for relief, you’re always welcome to schedule a consultation with me.

#CollectorsMD
The real strength isn’t in carrying it all yourself—it’s in knowing when to share the weight.

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In the heat of the chase, boundaries dissolve—adrenaline surges, limits fade, and the rip never ends. That’s when the role of local card shops and breakers becomes critical. True stewardship of the hobby isn’t about maximizing one night’s revenue—it’s about protecting collectors when they can’t protect themselves.

At Collectors MD, we believe the future of the hobby depends on accountability and responsibility. Shops and breakers who intervene—who prioritize people over profit—help preserve not just wallets, but relationships, peace of mind, and the purity and joy that collecting was meant to bring.

The best way to keep collectors in the hobby isn’t by fueling burnout, but by helping them sustain a healthy, intentional journey. That’s the reform we’re fighting for every day at Collectors MD.

Collect With Intention. Not Compulsion.

#CollectorsMD | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

https://www.instagram.com/p/DOlkk_-Ef72/

Published September 07, 2025 | By Meryll E, Collectors MD Supporter

From the moment my son was little, I knew he was special. I can still picture him standing at his easel when he was three years old, looking up at me with such determination and saying, “I’m working!” Even then, I could tell he would pour his whole heart into whatever he loved.

As he grew, he was smart, outgoing, and confident. He loved sports and carried himself with pride. He strived to succeed, to stand out, and to be the best at whatever he put his mind to. He went on to build a career and a life for himself, but what many people didn’t see was the private struggle he carried with him.

My son’s love for collecting started in childhood. I remember buying him Power Rangers, Beanie Babies, and Pokémon cards just to see his face light up. Later, it was about video games, sneakers, and eventually sports cards and memorabilia. But somewhere along the way, what began as a hobby filled with excitement and joy shifted into something more dangerous. The thrill of collecting slowly became a compulsion. The joy of discovery gave way to the chase, and collecting became an addiction—one that carried emotional and financial weight eerily similar to gambling.

A mother’s love might not be able to fix the struggle, but it can light the way through it.

The Turning Point

Watching him struggle was heartbreaking. I saw my confident, capable son lose himself to something so many people don’t understand. But I also saw resilience. I recognized the same spark from that little boy at the easel—only now, it was a spark to fight back and rebuild.

Over time, he found a way to turn his pain into purpose. By speaking openly about his journey, by connecting with others who shared the same struggles, and by focusing on recovery, he began to heal. And through that healing, he has been able to help others start their own paths towards redemption.

A New Identity

Today, my son is not defined by addiction. He is defined by his courage to face it—and by his determination to help others do the same. What once was the darkest chapter of his life has become a platform for awareness, education, and recovery.

A Mother’s Message

If you love someone who is struggling with compulsive collecting—or any addiction—know that your love and belief can be a lifeline. You may not be able to fix the problems for them, but you can stand beside them as they find their way forward.

To anyone battling this struggle: you are not alone. There is a way out. There are people who will understand, and who will walk alongside you.

Closing Reflection

Love isn’t just a feeling—it’s an action. It’s noticing when something is wrong, speaking up, and holding onto hope even in the darkest times. That love carried my son forward—and it can carry you, too.

#CollectorsMD
Love is the strongest support we can offer—when collecting turns into compulsion, love can be the lifeline that brings us back to light.

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