Throughout the Bible—and from one day to the next—we’re reminded that in this life we will face affliction, trials, and sufferings of many kinds. Yet, the Bible also calls us to live lives full of love, joy, hope, peace, and contentment—lives without fear, anxiety, or worry; lives free from heavy burdens and troubled hearts. Bridging the gap between these two realities defines the work of Christian counseling. In our work together we’ll take advantage of the safe, nonjudgmental space created by the therapeutic environment as we strive for lives of greater joy, peace, contentment, and healing.
My Goal as a Christian Counselor
My top priority as your counselor is to pursue your greatest good in relation to the counseling topics you bring to our work together. In fact, our work will depend on figuring out what the pursuit of your greatest good looks like in the areas you wish to focus on in counseling. You may have noticed that discerning and pursuing our own greatest good isn’t always how we as flawed humans choose to live. In our time together, perhaps we can aspire to better.
What I Offer in Christian Counseling
In my work as a counselor—with both Christian and non-Christian clients alike—my faith and biblical worldview inform my conviction that every person matters and is imbued with dignity and value. Therefore, clients can count on a caring and empathetic approach to therapy that creates space to process and better understand life’s varied trials and challenges. Clients can also expect to receive acceptance, respect, kindness, compassion, and truthfulness.
My Approach to Christian Counseling
My approach to counseling is grounded in what most grounds me—a biblically centered Christian worldview. In my experience, this worldview perspective offers us the greatest hope for understanding our struggles and sufferings, and the greatest help in discerning what wisdom might look like as we plot a path through and beyond today’s troubles.
My approach also includes a holistic consideration of each client’s unique background, story, experiences, beliefs, and values. In the counseling field, this approach is sometimes called the Bio-Psycho-Social-Spiritual model, and I consider it an important part of my approach to counseling.
Qualifications & Experience
I hold a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwest University, a Doctor of Ministry degree in Worldview & Cultural Engagement from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, a Master of Theology degree in Systematic Theology & Academic Ministries from Dallas Theological Seminary, a Master of Science in Management degree in Organizations & Strategy from University of Texas at Dallas, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business with a major in Management Information Systems from Auburn University. I also have over two decades of experience in pastoral and ministry leadership roles.
I have completed Gottman Couples Therapy training (Levels 1 & 2), Prepare/Enrich training and SYMBIS training for marital and premarital counseling, EMDR Basic Training (Levels 1 & 2), training in Psychological First Aid through Johns Hopkins/Coursera, and the Washington State Telemedicine Certification (WSTC; NRTRC).
My Call to Christian Counseling
Throughout my tenure as a pastor, I found myself increasingly investing more time in the counseling part of my pastoral roles. At some point it occurred to me that perhaps God was fine-tuning my ministry calling and leading me to transition to a more focused and full-time season of serving His people through counseling. Then, in early 2021—with the encouragement of friends, family, and peers—an opportunity to more formally begin that transition from pastoral counseling to licensed counseling work presented itself, and God’s fine-tuning of my calling began to take shape.
More About Me/On a Personal Note
Growing up in the Midwest, soccer shaped much of adolescent life during the warmer months—including club soccer most summers and playing competitively in high school and college. In the colder months, snow skiing replaced soccer, and in college and early adulthood, volleyball league games could often be found on our calendar. These days, my time is more focused on family, friends, and church. I also appreciate good pizza, good coffee, good movies, live music, technology, and—as one of those curious continuous learner types—good non-fiction reading.
Areas of Expertise/Specialties
- Abandonment and Neglect
- ADHD
- Aging and Geriatric Issues
- Anger Management
- Anxiety
- Chemical Dependency
- Coaching
- Couples Counseling
- Codependency
- Depression
- Grief and Loss
- Individual Counseling
- Infidelity and Affairs
- Marriage Counseling
- Men’s Issues
- OCD
- Online Counseling (Telehealth)
- Personal Development
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Premarital Counseling
- Professional Development
- Relationship Issues
- Sex and Porn Addiction
- Sexuality Related Concerns
- Sexual Abuse
- Spiritual Development/Spiritual Questioning
- Trauma
- Weight Loss
- Women’s Issues
Individual Counseling
“In this world, you will have trouble.” These are Jesus’ words to his disciples in John 16:33 (NIV).
For too many of us, too much of the time, the reality of this common biblical refrain resonates deep down to our bones. Through the reflective work of individual counseling, we’ll create a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental space to face personal challenges of every kind—along with their requisite emotional wounds, symptoms, and the life consequences that often accompany our trials and sufferings.
Through our time together we’ll better understand how your relationships, experiences, and choices have shaped your past and present. We’ll also consider the paths available to you for growth in healing, hope, wisdom, and peace. Our work together will also foster increased overall confidence and resilience in life, growth in coping skills, greater awareness and management of stress and emotional dysregulation, and a stronger sense of personal identity and self.
It would be an honor to partner with you and walk with you during this season of your life’s journey and its trials. It would be my privilege to be part of your story of growth, hope, and healing.
Couples Counseling | Dating – Premarital Counseling – Marriage Counseling
The Bible offers us so much wisdom about relationships of every variety, including the unique blessings, complexities, and challenges associated with romantic relationships and marriage. A verse not often mentioned in conversations about relationships and marriage is 1 Corinthians 7:26, which reminds us that “those who marry will have worldly troubles” (ESV).
Anyone who is or has been married, or even in a long-term relationship, understands the truth of this verse and knows the level of deep hurt and distress that can come from these vulnerable relationships—wounds that can impact every part of our lives.
In couples counseling, we’ll create a safe place to work through the hurts and consider the habits and happenings that have burdened your relationship. Our work together will also likely include goals such as growth in understanding the nature of love and marriage, learning to set appropriate partner expectations, growing the ability to have healthy conflict, and growth in communication skills, empathy, trust, and intimacy.
In terms of my personal and professional experience, my wife and I will be celebrating 25 years of marriage in 2025 and I have over 20 years of experience counseling couples. I have been trained in Gottman Couples Therapy (Levels 1 &2), I am a Certified Facilitator of the Prepare/Enrich premarital and marital tools and assessments, and a Certified Facilitator of the SYMBIS premarital and marital tools and assessments.
God can use your relationship troubles and trials to grow, heal, and shape you and your relationship if you’re willing to do the work—and I’d be honored to be part of that good work with you.
Spiritual Development | Spiritual Questioning – Discipleship – Spiritual Growth
It has been well said that spiritual development is best understood as a journey more than a destination—a work in progress and a lifelong pursuit. Additionally, spiritual development is one of those pursuits that must be defined differently for each person seeking it. Identifying each person’s next steps of spiritual development will depend greatly on where they are starting, as well as a host of other variables. What we know more concretely, however, is that the process is active and that it’s focused on growth (Ephesians 4:15; 1 Peter 2:2), transformation (Romans 12:2), and imitation of Jesus (Ephesians 5:1; 1 Corinthians 11:1; 2 Corinthians 3:18).
In terms of experience, I have two decades and counting of pastoral and related ministry experience, a Master of Theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary, a Doctor of Ministry degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a major in Worldview & Cultural Engagement, and a passion for partnering with the Holy Spirit in His work of change and growth in the lives of God’s people.
Wherever it is that you’re starting from on this journey—from “I’m not sure about this Jesus guy,” to “I’m a pastor,” or anywhere in between—it would be my joy to partner with you to identify and take the next steps God has put before you.
Sessions: I offer 53-minute sessions. Sessions can be held more than once per week, weekly, or every other week. Other scheduling options can also be discussed during your Risk-Free Initial Session.
Availability (by office location):
- Bothell – Wednesdays & Thursdays
- Mill Creek – Tuesdays, Fridays & Saturdays
- Online (WA only) – Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays
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 (LMHC), 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.
