If what you have done yesterday still looks big to you, you haven’t done much today.”- Mikhail Gorbachev
Philosophy and Therapeutic Approach
You are the expert on your own life. My therapeutic approach is collaborative, with you in the driver’s seat, and my skills and knowledge providing guidance along the way. Our sessions will be tailored to your unique needs and the issues you desire to work through. My counseling style is built upon connection and respect, offering a judgment-free space for you to come as you are.
I come with the perspective that our lives are full of choices, and we all carry the effects of both good and bad decisions. Therapy can help you recognize these choices and develop a deeper understanding of their impact on your daily life, fostering growth and healing throughout the process.
What to Expect in Therapy
In our first session, we will spend time getting to know one another so we can determine whether we are a good fit. A therapeutic relationship should be based on trust and understanding, and to help build this foundation, you can expect me to listen attentively and attune to your needs. As you share your story with me, I will ask questions that help us dive deeper into what you wish to focus on. Together, we will create goals that you want to work toward throughout the therapeutic process.
I will encourage you to approach your time in therapy with an open mind about how to reach your goals and the timeframe it will take to do so. When it comes to your counseling journey, there is no such thing as a quick fix, but through hard work and dedication, you will experience life change.
We can integrate faith into your sessions if that is something you would like. I will only do so with your permission, as I understand that we all come from different spiritual backgrounds and may hold varying beliefs.
Personal Qualifications and Experience
I never dreamed of working in the counseling field until I served in the military. My 8-year enlistment as a medic in the United States Air Force helped me understand the importance of mental health. After my time in the military, I attended Troy University, where I obtained my undergraduate degree in psychology. With my degree and military experience, and a desire to help the community, I decided to join the Colorado Springs Police Department in 2016. While working as an officer, I interacted with people who needed help right where they were and gained experience in working with trauma, abuse, and addiction. My eyes were opened to the reality that many of our most vulnerable population do not receive the help they need, or the positive treatment they deserve.
As a student at Liberty University, my theoretical orientation leans toward Solution-Focused Therapy. This modality emphasizes the circumstances of the present and places a focus on the future, much more than past experiences and problems. We are unable to change our past, but we can focus on an achievable and specific goal for the future. You may have greater strengths and resources than you realize, and these can be utilized during counseling.
Personal Interests
I am married and have two children who take up most of my free time. When I get some time alone, I am a huge nerd. I love watching anime, reading fantasy novels, and listening to music. I love going to concerts, and being from Tennessee, I’m partial to country music. I also love to play video games, a hobby I started when I was little that has only gotten more expensive as I’ve gotten older.
My mom named me after Joshua from the Old Testament, and I’ll leave you with a verse from his namesake.
Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
