About

There are times in life when everyone needs a little more than what a conversation with a friend, a family member, or even a pastor can offer. That’s where my services as an experienced professional counselor come in and offer hope that the issues you are facing can be better than they are now. 

To help you understand a little about who I am, here is some of my background:  

Professional

I am twice a graduate of Liberty University first studying Psychology (Bachelor of Science) and then Professional Counseling (Master of Arts).  Beginning in 1988, my counseling experience includes working with a community based addictions center, working with developmentally disabled populations, Hospice grief and terminally ill patients, and individuals and couples with a wide range of issues.

I am a life-long learner and frequently add to my educational training through professional seminars. These seminars keep me current on issues and allow me offer a wide range of professional help. Below is a  list of seminars I have attended.

I was ordained in July 1990 and have served churches as a youth pastor, minister of education, senior pastor; but most of my ministry has been as a counseling pastor. My experience as a pastor and as a professional counselor bring a unique quality to the field of Christian counseling. 

Professional Memberships

American Association of Christian Counselors

Marriage & Family Network

Biblical Counseling & Spiritual Formation Network

Grief, Crisis, & Disaster Network

Personal

I was reared near Williamston, Michigan and enjoyed spending time at my grandparents’ farm north of Fowlerville. In the early 1980s I moved to Florida where I met my late wife. Raising three children together was an adventure and I have often jokingly suggested that the perfect spacing of children is every 6 to 12 years after unintentionally testing this theory with my own sons. An interesting side effect is that my youngest son was only four years old when my oldest grandson was born.

After 26 years of marriage, my wife succumbed to cancer.  In time, I remarried and began a journey of building a new and rewarding marriage relationship. This journey includes embracing the fascinating role of step-father.

Life events have brought a wealth of real-life and practical experience to my counseling practice. Life has given me a desire to see others enjoy loving and fulfilling marriage and step-family relationships. It has given me a deep understanding and compassion for those who are terminally ill and those experiencing grief before and after the death of a loved one. Most of all, life has given me a passion to help people through counseling.  

Links

Our story through Carrie’s terminal illness

Additional Professional Training (current as of July 2017)

Addiction and Recovery: Transforming the Heart. July 18, 2017, Eric Scalise, PhD.

Smart StepFamilies. May 23rd, 2017, Ron L. Deal, LMFT, LPC

Best Practices in Crisis and Trauma Response: The First 24-48. April 11th, 2017, Tina S. Brookes, Ed.D, MSW, LCSW

DBT: An Adaptation for Christ-centered Therapy. March 28th, 2017, Marian C. Eberly, RN, MSW, LCSW, PhD, BCPCC

The Church and Mental Illness. January 24, 2017, Ed Stetzer, PhD.

Neurology of Emotions and Relationships: Empowering Counseless Toward “Mind Renewal”. November 15, 2016, Fredrick A. DiBlasio, PhD.

Take Your Life Back. October 6, 2016, David Stoop, PhD. and Stephen Arterburn, M. Ed.

The Soul of Shame: Retelling the Stories We Believe about Ourselves. September 8, 2016, Curt Thompson, M.D.

Compatible or Combatable? Creating Couple Closeness through Connected Communication and Constructive Conflict. August 16, 2016, Jared Pingleton, PsyD.

Play Therapy: A Developmentally Appropriate Intervention with Traumatized Children. July 19, 2016, Daniel Sweeney, PhD.

FANTASY: Right, Wrong or 50 Shades of Grey? April 19, 2016, Shannon Ethridge, M.A.

Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts. Feb 18, 2016, Les Parrott, Ph.D.

Don’t Call it Love: Breaking Trough the Cycle of Relationship Dependency, Jan 19, 2016, Gregory Jantz, Ph.D.

The New Era of Couple Therapy: On Target Effective Ways to Build Secure Bonds, December 8, 2015, Sue Johnson, Ed.D.

The New Christian Counselor: A Fresh Biblical and Transformational Perspective, October 20, 2015, Ron Hawkins, D.Min, Ed.D.

Asperger’s and Autism Across the Lifespan: Challenges, Strengths and Techniques from Childhood to Marriage, September 1, 2015, Stephanie C. Holmes, M.A.

The Fight of Your life: Men and Sexual Temptation, Addiction, Pornography and the Power of Purity, August 13, 2015, Mark Laaser, Ph.D.

Ethical Principles in Christian Counseling: Staying Oriented in Challenging Times, March 17, 2015, David Jenkins, Psy.D., Joseph J. Martins, J.D.

Making Advances: Treating Female Sex and Love Addicts, November 18, 2014. Marnie Ferree, M.A..

Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy: Strategies and Interventions in a Christian Context, October 21, 2014. Sharon Morris May, Ph.D..

Understanding and Using the DSM-V: Changes, Updates and Clinical Implications for Christian Counselors, August 20, 2013. David Jenkins, Ph.D., Linda Mintle, Ph.D., Gary Sibcy, Ph.D..

Moving Forward: Six Steps to Forgiving Yourself and Breaking Free from the Past, June 18, 2013. Everett Worthington, Jr., Ph.D..

The God Shaped Brain: How Your View of God Transforms Your Life, April 23, 2013. Timothy Jennings, M.D..

Boomers and Healthy Aging: Navigating the Challenges of Illness, Downsizing and Retirement, March 19, 2013. Kathie Erwin, Ed.D..

The Art of Loving Well: Tips and Strategies for Cultivating Marital Passion and Intimacy, February 12, 2013. Clifford Penner, Ph.D.; Joyce Penner, M.N., R.N.

Finding Hope in the Darkness: An Integrative Treatment Approach for Depression and Mood Disorders, January 22, 2013. Michael R. Lyles, M.D..

Creating a Culture of Blessing: Practical Applications for Your Church, Practice and Family. December 4, 2012. John Trent, Ph.D..

Resiliency, Combat Trauma and Military Suicide: Effective Faith-based Interventions, November 13, 2012. Major General (Ret.) Bob Dees, AACC Military Director

Love & Respect: God’s Ingredients for Great Relationships, February 28, 2012. Emerson Eggerich, Ph.D., Tim Clinton, Ed.D..

Understanding Suicide Grief: Touchstones for Hope & Healing, Lansing, MI, October 7, 2010. Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D.