With compassion and grace, I will help you learn practical skills to address your behavioral health needs while discovering and expanding the strengths that make you unique. I will also encourage you to develop your faith and to see God’s goodness despite the circumstances and sufferings you may be going through. This begins with grounding our standing before God through the gospel, which removes any condemnation before the Lord. For those who are in Christ, working from this starting point is a true and steady anchor propelling the individual to cultivate change and a more satisfying life in Christ. For as Christ said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).
My Goal as a Christian Counselor
My goals as a clinician are to help you identify and build upon your inherent strengths to live a healthier, more satisfying life in your pursuit of behavioral health recovery, while developing a deeper trust and dependence upon God and for His glory. My hope is for you to feel cared for and listened to, experience compassion, and gain greater confidence and skills tailored to your unique life circumstances and challenges.
What I Offer in Christian Counseling
I offer a warm, welcoming space where you can feel heard and empowered, experience compassion, and be encouraged in your pursuit of wellness, both mentally and spiritually. You can expect me to be genuine and compassionate as I assist you with your goals at each stage of treatment, with a particular focus on developing hope and a greater trust in God.
My Approach to Christian Counseling
The gospel of Jesus Christ brings about true and lasting change, and we are to remind ourselves of this daily. A Christian approach to counseling recognizes that it is the
Lord who changes hearts. However, Christian counseling also provides the tools and techniques for individuals to tackle their symptoms growing in hope and resiliency through practical and evidence-based methods, while simultaneously encouraging greater dependence upon God. My faith informs my practice at every level and is manifest through compassion, encouragement in times of suffering, and the ability to offer biblical truths specific to the individual circumstances of each client.
Qualifications & Experience
I hold a BA in psychology and a Master of Science in Applied Psychology with an emphasis in Mental Health Counseling, both from Eastern Washington University. I have been working as a counselor since 2015.
My Call to Christian Counseling
From a very early age, I have had a passion for listening to and caring for those who were suffering. Additionally, I became interested in mental health due to my fascination with the field and found that it was a very real way to show the love of Christ and serve others. Being a counselor also resonates at the core of who God has made me to be and is a way to glorify Him through the unique skills He has provided me.
More About Me/On a Personal Note
I have been married to my wonderful wife since 2017 and we have two young children who are incredible blessings in our lives. My hobbies include a love of theology and church history, and spending time outdoors trail running, backpacking, and fly-fishing.
Areas of Expertise/Specialties
- Abandonment and Neglect
- Aging and Geriatric Issues
- Anger Management
- Anxiety
- Bipolar Disorder
- Codependency
- Depression
- Grief and Loss
- Individual Counseling
- Infidelity and Affairs
- Men’s Issues
- Personal Development
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Professional Development
- Relationship Issues
- Sex and Porn Addiction
- Spiritual Development
- Trauma
Depression
Experiencing symptoms of depression can feel overwhelming and confusing, draining you of your strength and impacting the core of who you are and what is important to you. Things that used to interest you or bring you joy no longer seem to, and you may even find yourself exhausted completing the simplest of tasks. Moreover, a contributing factor accompanying depression is that others may not see your suffering, but inside you feel alone and lost, a bystander to life happening all around you.
Symptoms may also feel as if you’re wearing “depression glasses” distorting how you interpret the world, yourself, and even your view of God. We will work together to develop tangible ways of identifying the contributing factors that lie at the heart of your depression, including the unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to symptoms, focusing on evidence-based approaches to wellness. At the core of our work together will be developing hope, resiliency, and confidence in the goodness of God through the healing power of the gospel.
Anxiety
Are you feeling overwhelmed in numerous areas of your life, fearful, “on edge,” or have excessive worry that interferes with your ability to accomplish everyday tasks like leaving the house, going to the store, or attending social gatherings? If so, you may have an anxiety disorder. Anxiety impacts thoughts and emotions, and can even manifest itself through somatic complaints or avoidance behaviors.
Anxiety can make us feel small and indecisive, and cause us to struggle to meet the demands of everyday life. However, there is hope for your battle with anxiety! We will work together to target your symptoms at a pace that feels comfortable and supportive and provides you with the necessary tools to get back to the joy of living. Together we will draw upon the deep well of God’s Word and His goodness to overcome your challenges, offering hope and a clear path forward to living in wellness.
Anger
Anger is a natural emotional response. However, if you are struggling to appropriately express this emotion, anger can be deceptive, fooling you into thinking you were justified in how you responded, all the while leaving a wake of destruction in its path. When consumed with anger, it can be difficult to make sound decisions that are consistent with your values and core beliefs, leading to ripple effects in personal relationships, at the workplace, and with those closest to us.
Anger can have a consuming hold on both our hearts and our minds. This is due not only to the spiritual effects of anger, but also the impact anger has on our brains. For those struggling with anger, shame can be a close companion. We will work to uncover the cause of your anger and develop practical ways of emotional regulation, challenging the automatic negative thoughts that are influencing your responses while learning new and healthy ways of emotional expression. There is hope for your anger found in the power of the gospel, both in forgiveness and its transforming effect on the heart and mind.
Spiritual Development
Life is full of challenges, and this includes our walk with Christ. Are you feeling stagnant in your walk with the Lord, confused about how to serve Him faithfully, questioning His goodness or His will for your life? I will walk alongside you to develop a deeper understanding of the glory and goodness of God, and help you grow in greater fellowship with Him.
This process of growth, called sanctification, can feel like a rollercoaster as we battle the world, our flesh, and the devil, but God promises to finish the work He started in us, which is great news! For in Christ, we have victory, as Christ has said, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Whether you have been a Christian as long as you can remember, or are a new believer in Christ, it would be a privilege to help you see the beauty of Christ in all of life.
Grief and Loss
Grief and the experience of loss can be a healthy and natural response to a given event or life circumstance. However, experiencing grief can be one of the hardest challenges faced in this life. Grief can lead to confusion, disruption in identity, and a wave of emotions that may seem unpredictable and relentless. The experience of grief is also different for each person and the cause is also unique to the individual. We will work together to process your emotions, developing healthy strategies that identify and draw upon your strengths to persevere toward a path of wholeness in Christ. For there is great hope for those who are brokenhearted and suffering, for “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).
Sessions: I offer 53-minute sessions. Sessions can be held more than once per week, weekly, or every other week. Scheduling options are discussed in greater detail during your Risk-Free Initial Session.
Availability (by office location):
- Spokane Valley – Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for Individuals 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), most 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 adolescents, individuals.
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.
