Kareem Puranda

Kareem is a native of Bronx, New York who made his way south on a football scholarship to Livingstone College. Upon graduation he worked as a police officer. During his law enforcement career, Kareem was also a Detective, a Special Response Team member, a School Resource Officer, Coach, Mentor and Volunteer. He witnessed the good, the bad and the ugly of police work. Seeing a dire need for counseling within the agency and the multi-cultural communities he patrolled, Kareem changed careers to become a dual licensed clinician. He is also certified in treating trauma. Kareem has extensive experience working with outpatient and residential treatment programs for people with substance abuse and/or mental health issues. He is a natural at helping people work through the delicate and uncomfortable conditions of life's journey. His private practice, Self-Talk Counseling & Consulting, PLLC provides group, family, and individual counseling services. They offer CBI, Drug Ed & Anger Management classes and mental health services.

With his distinct professions, Kareem brings a unique therapeutic approach to populations on both sides of the law. He specializes in counseling law enforcement officers, first time offenders, and juvenile delinquents. Kareem is relatable, practical and very passionate about healing people and building trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Kareem provides speaking engagements, trainings to police officers and teachers and conducts various presentations in the community.

In his efforts to reach the youth, Kareem established a nonprofit called Achieving Success On Purpose, INC (ASOP) in 2012. ASOP teaches free chess lessons and helps adolescents develop social and emotional intelligence to refute negative societal narratives.

Kareem is the author Breaking the Code of Silence: A Cop’s Journey to Triumph and Truth, and a self-help manual for law enforcement titled, COPS (Constructs of Policing Self). In his spare time, Kareem enjoys teaching chess, coaching football and spending time with his wife and 4 children.