I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Central Washington University. I also hold a Master of Divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary, and a Master of Arts in Counseling and Care from Faith International University. I have twelve years of experience serving as a pastor, and have spent more than thirty years counseling couples, mentoring other men, teaching classes, and leading numerous small groups.

My Call to Christian Counseling

It wasn’t too long into my pastoral career that I realized counseling people through whatever storm they are in or decision they had to make was by far the most rewarding aspect of my calling. However, when the church we planted shut down a number of years later, I thought I was done with pastoral ministry. I went back into the business world, somewhat confused as I tried to make sense of my distinct call to shepherd people.

I should have realized much sooner that God had always been nudging me to counsel others. He kept putting people in my path who needed an advocate, that is, someone to actively listen to them, pray with them, give them encouragement, and provide feedback when appropriate. I am now a Christian counselor, and I could not be happier. It may have taken me a while, but I finally realized how the Lord truly wants to use me in serving His kingdom. Therefore, it would be my honor to come alongside you and be your counselor.

More About Me / On a Personal Note

I am a husband with an incredibly supportive wife, two adult children, and three grandchildren. Together, my wife and I live a glorious, yet somewhat boring life, and that is by design. We love the simple things in life, such as walking our dog to the local farmer’s market or taking a drive down a long, windy road in our convertible. Sometimes we might go explore a new restaurant, or perhaps make dinner and watch a good movie together.

Personally, my favorite time of day is early in the morning when I can read the Bible and enjoy a cup (or two) of piping-hot coffee. My wife loves the ocean, so we also like to make an occasional trip down to the Oregon coast for rest and relaxation. We both find it so easy to encounter God’s presence there. And lest I forget, one of my greatest passions – for better or worse – is getting out my 12 gear to watch and loudly cheer for my favorite NFL team, the Seattle Seahawks!

Areas of Expertise / Specialties

• Aging and Geriatric Issues
• Anger Management
• Anxiety
• Chemical Dependency
• Coaching
• Couples Counseling
• Codependency
• Depression
• Grief and Loss
• Individual Counseling
• Infidelity and Affairs
• Lifespan Integration
• Marriage Counseling
• Men’s Issues
• Online Counseling
• Personal Development
• Premarital Counseling
• Professional Development
• Relationship Issues
• Sex and Porn Addiction
• Sexual Abuse
• Spiritual Development
• Trauma

Couples Counseling and Marriage Counseling

On the surface, men and women do not seem very compatible. But when God is at the heart of a relationship between a man and a woman, the issues between them begin to fade. The focus becomes less about protecting myself and more about protecting my partner.

Marriage is a beautiful, sacred, and worthwhile institution. Christian counseling helps couples make sense of some of the teachings in the Bible, and by the power of the Spirit, can unleash the power to transform an otherwise broken relationship. When built on the foundation of God’s transformational power, your marriage can be rock-solid and withstand the many storms of life.

Grief and Loss

When we lose someone we love, for most of us life just seems to slow down to a crawl. When we grieve, it can be an all-consuming thing, and everything else in life suddenly seems secondary. You simply feel numb. If you are like most people, it can be a very isolating time when you may just want to be alone for a season. You want time to consider how you are going to move forward without that significant person in your life anymore.

Sometimes you might feel like crying, and sometimes you may want to scream. Either way, grief tends to make us feel hopeless and empty. However, grief is a God-designed way for people to process their loss. Christian counseling can help you work through that process to help you find your bearings once again. When you are ready to talk about it, counseling can help you find your way out of the darkness. Sometimes a safe place to face the pain and explore your feelings is the best way forward.

Sex and Porn

If you struggle with an addiction to sex and/or pornography, there is hope. The good news is: you don’t have to live your life bound by the chains of addiction to pornography or sex. The bad news is: there is no formula, magic book, Bible study, or psychiatric treatment guaranteed to help you break free. No matter what, it is going to take every ounce of your determination to help you overcome. But here’s the really, really good news: Jesus knows your struggle, and He wants you to be free. Not just free, but free indeed! Through counseling, an alliance built on brokenness, faith, transparency, and God’s transformative power can be formed to give you your life back again. Breaking free from the clutches of pornography and sex addiction takes guts and a willingness to confess your failures to a trusted person. But if you are willing to go through that process, He is willing to go through it with you. And so am I.

Anxiety

Anxiety is a tricky thing. Some well-meaning but naive Christians might advise someone who is dealing with anxiety to simply “have more faith.” After all, the Bible tells us to not be anxious, but to present our requests to the Lord through prayer and thanksgiving, right? Well, yes. And in a vacuum, that is certainly true. However, we don’t live in a vacuum. Instead, we live in a difficult and sometimes overwhelming culture full of stress and strife.

Sometimes we go through experiences and just feel overwhelmed with fear, dread, and uneasiness. During those times, it becomes more about working through a complex process than it is about “just getting over ourselves.” God is with you always, and surely wants to heal you of the anxious thoughts that can be crippling. But sometimes we need a fellow sojourner to walk through the darkness with us and help us to find our way to the other side where there is hope. As your counselor, I would be honored to come alongside you and help you discover the sources of your anxiety. Together we can explore ideas and strategies designed to help you overcome those thoughts and get back on your feet again.

Individual Counseling

In the book of Romans, the apostle Paul writes, “I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me” (Romans 7:21-23, NLT).

Indeed, I am convinced that the war that Paul writes of is universal to all of humanity. We all struggle with some things, and many of us struggle with a multitude of things. The good news is that Jesus can empower you to confront whatever issues you are facing. That might be a broken relationship, an issue of health, some big decision that you need to make, or any number of other concerns. No matter what you are facing, you don’t need to go through it alone.

When you come to Christian counseling, a powerful bond is formed between you, your counselor, and the God of the universe. The One who knit you together in your mother’s womb is on your side and can help you navigate all the challenges you encounter along life’s journey.

Availability (by office location):

• Puyallup – Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday
• Online (WA Only)– Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday

Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for individuals and couples looking to pursue counseling with me. Please note that there is a fee for the Risk-Free Initial Session as it is a clinical hour and reimbursable to most insurance companies, but if you choose not to reschedule and continue therapy after the initial session, the entire fee for the session will be waived. For ongoing treatment, the full fee per session is required at the time of service.

Insurance: As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA), some insurance companies will reimburse for a portion of my services (as an Out-of-Network Provider). Please consult with your insurance provider as to whether they specifically cover individuals and couples.

Receipts/Statements: In the event you require a printed or digital receipt, I will provide receipts for personal use, insurance reimbursement, Flex Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).

Payment options: Cash, Check, or Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, & American Express). A fee of up to 4% per transaction may be added for credit card payments.