I decided to become a counselor because as a youth minister in the 80's I began working with teenagers then college-age adults and discovered that I was frequented by my peers about not only existential life questions but real problems that faced individuals who I was able to assist, learn, and grow from individuals who had past traumas, abuses of parents, relationship problems, conduct problems, depression, and low self-esteem. I began mentoring several persons and learned that one's past doesn't define their future. I also learned the values of compassion and kindness and empathy. I discovered that everyone has a purpose in life and need only to invest in others first in order to become aware of a greater need of humanity which then gives the imeptus for greater self-awareness.

I have worked with all age ranges of clients but have discovered that when an individual comes to the counseling table and is "ready" to change rather than being coerced and is eager to learn rather than a critic, then I am able to facilitate the change that is already existent and possible in them.

Having completed both my practicum and internships in inpatient behavioral units of hospitals, I have gained valuable experience not only in working with the severely mentally ill population but with anyone that has diagnoses that debilitate them. I have a special interest in clients with the more severe diagnoses such as bipolar or schizophrenia disorders as well.

The one thing I wish all clients knew is to never give up, that failure can be a friend, and that someone out there believes in them regardless of their past.

I chose to practice at Thriveworks because of their goal of allowing the clinician to have the responsibility not only being able to thrive in their specialty but the freedom to thrive with freedoms of not only with in-office experiences with clients but working with clients from home as well.

I am inspired by my creator first, by good books with pertinent knowledge I learn every day from them in the field and self-help out of the field, by histories and biographies of others who give light through their experiences, and in general just by being able to experience each day as unique and created for me to explore.

In a client's first session, they can expect me to be genuine, open and honest about myself, and someone who is not fake but is real and struggles in the world to make sense of their environment and others. They can expect someone who shows interest in them and is ready to explore ways to overcome life's challenges.

I would like to accomplish with an individual in their first session a therapeutic bond that keeps them excited about their future.

Client's should know before scheduling their first session that I am someone that is congruent (genuine) and can meet them in their world first with empathy and second, second with belief in them, and third with an eagerness to allow them to grow from challenges rather than be debilitated by them.

On my time off, I can be found spending valuable time with my wife and family, investing myself in good books including the bible, having regular reflection times in the mornings where I grow most of all spiritually, mentally, and emotionally, and occasional retreats with my wife traveling somewhere even if it's only an hour away, which I believe is pertinent for any individual's good self-care.

My spirituality and character define me nonprofessionally and my overall belief in God, my wife and family, and mission in life to help others who are less fortunate.