About

Hello,
Thank you for checking out Find A Therapist; for taking that first step to improve your situation. Thank you for looking at my profile, I am glad you are here!

When we first meet, we will take some time to just get acquainted and learn some things about each other. I always encourage clients to interview their counselor like you were hiring someone to do a really important job for you, because you are. It may feel a little uncomfortable at first, that is normal, but if your counselor just doesn't seem like a good fit, interview a different one until you are satisfied. Then, when you feel comfortable enough and when you feel you have established a level of trust with your counselor, we’ll begin working together to discover a way for you to get from where you are, to where you want to be. How does that sound?

The next task is to co-construct strategies and find tools that you will find immediately helpful in making those changes you are wanting to make. I emphasize “co-construct”, meaning we will do it together. Most often, subscribers just need someone to come along side you in your effort, coach you when you need it and rejoice with you when you begin to see success. Some things can get better very quickly, others may take longer, but you can arrive at a place of peace if you are determined to keep the faith until the light breaks through.

It is important for my clients to understand that my private practice is built on Biblical Counseling principals, using many Cognitive Behavioral Counseling techniques. Many secular counseling techniques are very useful to people of faith, emphasizing rational thinking, changing the pathology of lies we tell ourselves, taking responsibility for one's own actions and circumstances regardless of the cause.

A little personal history: I began my adult career right out of college as an Associate Pastor in a medium sized town on the outskirts of Chicago. Later in life, I was privileged to be the founding pastor of a Home-Missions church in Minnesota. During that time, I began a dual career as I was blessed to be hired by a large bank in St. Paul, Minnesota as a programmer trainee, beginning a 17 year journey in IT. I retired from my IT career as a Senior Systems Analyst/Programmer at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota in 2001. During my pastoral and counseling career, I have spent 12 years primarily in pastoral ministry and 12 years providing social services/counseling, with an additional 10 years as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas. I am comfortable working with clients from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

In mid-90’s I had the blessing of working at a private counseling clinic catering primarily to clergy and Christian leaders. It is important to understand that everyone, at every level of life, has challenges and difficulties that are very real to them, and at times it is necessary to reach out and let someone else help put back what life has taken from you.

Since returning to Texas in 2002, I have worked largely with community mental health services. They serve a multi-cultural clientele, most of whom live below poverty guidelines. Many of these clients have severe and persistent mental health disorders and require a good level of multi-cultural understanding.
In my practice, I use a “trauma aware” approach, knowing that each client has most likely had a life experience that has felt very traumatic to them. I have had specific training and experience in “Stress and Trauma Care”, through the American Association of Christian Counselors, of which I am and have been a member for several years. Also, one of my greatest privileges has been working with War Veterans experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome for several years, most often using Cognitive Processing Therapy.

I have provided pastoral counseling to couples and families for most of my career, and I strongly believe in the family unit as being absolutely the basic building block of society. Couples experience equal time and equal respect in sessions, which are a place to build up and not break down. In couples counseling, the relationship is the client, it must be. Any relationship is salvageable if both partners are heavily invested in recovering the love they once had and building on it for a lifetime.
Most importantly, I love what I do, and the clients I work with, partnering with folks just like you, to find a better life for you and your loved ones! Thank you for visiting with me. I look forward to the opportunity to join you in your journey!