Qualifications & Experience

I hold a Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Ministries from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, a Master of Divinity in Pastoral Ministries from Lincoln Christian Seminary, and a Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministries from Puget Sound Christian College.

I’ve been counseling for over 35 years. My experience includes serving as a U.S. Air Force Chaplain, pastoring churches, teaching at a Christian college and seminary, leading a parachurch organization that trained churches, and coaching pastors.

I am also certified in Critical Incident Stress Management, Taylor-Johnson Temperament Analysis, and Prepare-Enrich.

My Call to Christian Counseling

When I was a church pastor I kept noticing that so many Christians had serious hang-ups and disabilities because of brokenness in their lives that had not been resolved and their lives were miserable as a result. Ignored problems, buried issues, dysfunction that wasn’t recognized, etc. They were saved but they were not free from their past, their sin, or their problems. I wondered where the life-changing, transforming power of God was when so many within the church hadn’t changed in decades. They had pain but were pretending everything was okay. As a result, I’ve sought to bring a ministry of hope, healing, and transformation.

More About Me/On a Personal Note

I have three daughters, seven grandchildren, and one great grandchild. I love the Pacific Northwest and try to take full advantage of the mountains and water, skiing during the winter and sailing during the summer. I am an accomplished drummer, having done studio work on 24 Christian albums as a studio musician as well as having toured throughout Asia, Australia, and the U.S. with two Christian music groups.

I know grief and loss, having lost two of my daughters: Cassandra when she was 13 years old through suicide, and Angela when she was 31 years old as a result of a brain tumor. I also lost a brother when he was 36 years old and my father when he died at the age of 84. I know that there is nothing worse in this life than losing a child—and how to survive it!

I also know personally what it is to suffer from traumatic events, having been stationed in Saudi Arabia during a massive bombing. I was one of the chaplains there that also became instrumental in helping the base heal from the devastation, loss, and PTSD.

Areas of Expertise/Specialties

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Marriage Counseling
• Couples Counseling
• Premarital Counseling
• Domestic Violence
• Grief and Loss
• Infidelity and Affairs
• Professional Development
• Spiritual Development
• Abandonment and Neglect
• Anger Management
• Coaching
• Individual Counseling
• Relationship Issues
• Sexual Abuse
• Trauma and PTSD
• Family Counseling and Parenting
• Adult Victims of Abuse: Mental, Emotional, Physical, and Sexual

Adult Victims of Abuse

Mental, Emotional, Physical and Sexual—So many of us have been scarred by the pain of divorce, alcoholism, and physical or sexual abuse that we just want to pretend it didn’t happen or that it doesn’t impact our lives anymore. However, a part of us knows that is not true. With love and compassion, I will help you uncover the real root of your pain and together we can overcome the lingering damage of your past to finally be free from it.

Anxiety

Between financial struggles, family dynamics, health issues, and the typical problems of everyday life, it’s easy to feel weighed down and trapped by our circumstances. Anxiety can be a paralyzing condition ingrained in a person’s being. I’ll share with you the keys to unlocking the chains of anxiety and despair once and for all so you can be free to enjoy the abundant, joy-filled lives we were created for.

Anger Management

Anger is a completely normal, usually healthy, human emotion, but when it gets out of control and turns destructive, it can lead to problems—problems at work, in your personal relationships, and in the overall quality of your life. It can make you feel as though you’re at the mercy of an unpredictable and powerful force. You may have tried to control it by sheer willpower and found that it works—for a while—and then, you just lose it once again. I will help you identify the root causes of your anger and show you how to deal with it in a way that is healthy for you and everyone around you. Anger doesn’t have to control you anymore!

Coaching

Tom Landry, Head Coach of the Dallas Cowboys from 1959-1989, once said, “Setting a goal is not the main thing. It is deciding how you will go about achieving it and staying with that plan.” Coaching empowers individuals to gain clarity of purpose, increase spiritual growth and leadership skills, develop a life strategy, and see their plans to completion.

As your personal coach I will assist you in figuring out who you are, help you in setting goals for your personal, work, and family life, then create specific action plans with you. Action plans are goal-specific tasks and exercises to advance your performance. The customized individual coaching and accountability format will increase your ability to implement your goals and move ahead in life.

Trauma and PTSD

Throughout my counseling career, I have worked with victims of trauma and PTSD as well as having experienced it in my own life in the military. You don’t have to try to handle the burden of a traumatic event on your own. I can help you regain a sense of control over your life so that the event doesn’t determine who you are anymore.

Availability (by office location):

• Puyallup –  Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays

Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for Individuals, Couples, and Families 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 a majority of 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, Couples, Adults, and Families.

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 3.7% plus $0.15 per transaction will be added for credit card payments