About

Welcome! My name is Don Nelson. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (M.S., LPC, CDCI). I have been counseling and coaching (AASP) clients for over fifteen years.

Counseling is my so-called “encore career.” Prior to becoming a counselor, I had a successful career in oil and gas-related industries in Alaska. I had a long career and (in retrospect) I appreciate my good fortune. However, my job was not, as they say, my passion. Far from it.

As with many dramatic life changes, mine began with a crisis. Following a traumatic death in my family, I began working less and less. It didn’t take long for me to stop working altogether. I just didn’t see the point. I was anxious and depressed for weeks at a time. After a time, I decided to ask for help. I found a counselor in the phone book (I know, right?) and made an appointment.

My new counselor didn’t have many answers and seemed like just a regular guy. However, he asked lots of questions and listened intently. I liked him. More importantly, I "connected" with him. We began working together to get me functioning again. (Note: Client/therapist rapport is arguably the highest predictor of successful therapeutic outcomes.)

Soon after beginning therapy, my mood and level of functioning improved remarkably and I returned to work. However, my priorities had changed. While in counseling, I had developed a mission statement and goals. I was determined to live more mindfully and according to my values. I also wanted to understand the nature of, well, my own nature. As time passed, understanding the “human experience” had become my passion.

Today, after eight more years of college and 15 years of work experience in counseling, I am mindful of how grateful I am to work at something I am passionate about, not to mention helping folks with whom I have a special affinity. My only regret is that I did not begin counseling (both for myself and as a career choice) earlier in life. On the other hand, I believe my life experience, prior to counseling, has helped me to be a better counselor.

I also remain mindful that a counselor-client relationship is a professional relationship. Some counselors believe they have to be an expert in all things. I believe that you are the only expert in you and your experiences. I do, however, believe that I am a good counselor. That having been said, I am just a regular guy (like my own counselor). But, I also believe I have is a wealth of knowledge about the human condition—how to resolve conflicts; both internal and external, that may be holding you “captive” in a place you don’t want to be. I remain eternally curious. If my professional history is any predictor, I believe I can help you move forward, toward the life that you imagine.

Finally, the fact that you have decided to ask for some help is a big deal! Change is hard. Maybe the hardest thing you will do in life. Let’s try improve your odds of making those changes on your own terms. I think it will be worth the effort.

Warmest Regards