“We are, not metaphorically but in very truth, a Divine work of art, something that God is making, and therefore something with which He will not be satisfied until it has a certain character.” – C.S. Lewis
Philosophy and Therapeutic Approach
I understand what it means to feel alone in pain because I have been there. When I was in sixth grade, I was drowning. The bullying was relentless—verbal, emotional, and physical. Every day felt like a battle for survival, and no one seemed to notice. My body manifested what my spirit couldn’t express: migraines, panic, and eventually, a plan to end it all. One night, I tried to take my own life. But God intervened. That crisis forced the truth into the light. I was finally seen. I began counseling. Slowly, I started to believe that my story didn’t have to end in despair.
That experience fundamentally shaped how I view my calling as a therapist. The pain I lived through created a capacity for empathy and understanding that cannot be taught in a textbook. It is why I do this work—to walk alongside you in your darkest moments and help you find hope, healing, and wholeness.
One of the things I love about therapy is that each encounter is uniquely special because of what each person brings to the experience. Your perspective, life experience, personality, beliefs, worldview, preferences, and interests are crucial to your healing and growth. My role as your therapist is to honor who you are by creating a nonjudgmental, empowering space, while using valuable research, expertise, and evidence-based practices to support your growth.
I am an attachment-based therapist, meaning that the quality of your relationships with yourself and others is a foundation for treatment. I utilize Existential Therapy, Reality Therapy, Empowerment Therapy, Family Therapy, Expressive Arts Therapy, Play Therapy, and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to help clients reach their goals. I work collaboratively with you to decide which approaches are best to support your individual needs.
There is a right time for everything on earth… a right time to cry and another to laugh, a right time to lament and another to cheer (Ecclesiastes 3:1). I believe that therapy is a place to cry and to laugh, to grieve and to celebrate, and I commit to inviting each of these experiences throughout your time in therapy.
What to Expect in Therapy
It can be difficult to begin therapy. It is scary to start from the beginning and tell your story to a stranger, and it can also feel intimidating to open up places in yourself that have been closed to so many people.
My goal is to foster a safe, warm, and accepting space where every part of you is welcome, especially those parts of you that have been in hiding for a long time. We will follow your unique process and individual pace of healing and break things down so that you are not completely overwhelmed. Most importantly, you will not be alone!
I often compare therapy to cleaning out a closet; sometimes it looks messier than when you started, but once you have the chance to see what’s in there, organize it, and give things a place, you can breathe a little easier each time you open the door.
In your first few sessions with me, I will collaborate with you to first make sure your questions about therapy are answered. We will get to know one another, make sure that we are a good fit, and set some goals together. From there, we will build trust and work toward increased fullness of life for you. I believe that God desires freedom and flourishing for all people and that he came so that you “may have life and have it to the full” (John 10:10).
I understand that people find themselves in many different places in their spiritual journeys. I am happy to incorporate prayer, scripture, and spiritual practices into your sessions, only with your permission. I am also happy to incorporate art, poetry, music, and other creative expressions as they nurture and awaken your spirit.
Personal Qualifications and Experience
I am a former pastor, award-winning author, speaker, certified master Christian coach, and licensed mental health counselor. I serve as Assistant Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Colorado Christian University, where I have the privilege of training the next generation of counselors—not just preparing them for a career, but discipling them into their calling.
I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Youth and Family Ministry from Colorado Christian University, a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Denver Seminary, and a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Walden University. I am a National Certified Counselor and hold professional counseling licenses in both Colorado and Texas.
I am the founder of Mental Health Made Simple, a platform that strips away clinical jargon and trendy “hacks” to deliver research-backed, practical tools for emotional wellness. Through podcasts, blogs, trainings, and resources, it equips adults, students, parents, and leaders with clear strategies and real-world support for navigating mental health.
I have authored seven books, including HELP! My Teen is Self-Injuring (drawn from my own suicide survival story), The Path Out of Loneliness, The Path to Wholeness, Hope and Healing for Loneliness, and The Mental Health Handbook for Ministry. My work has been featured by WORLD Magazine, The Christian Post, FOX News, Woman’s Day, NBC, Hello Giggles, Reader’s Digest, and more. In 2019, I was invited to the White House to speak on national mental health initiatives.
I have extensive experience consulting with schools and faith-based organizations on emotional and mental wellness, and I continue to speak and train leaders, parents, and professionals on creating cultures of care and support.
Personal Interests
I live in Texas with my wife of 18 years and our three children. Family is at the center of my life, and being a husband and father has deepened my understanding of love, patience, forgiveness, and the messy beauty of human relationships.
When I am not in session or teaching, you might find me reading, writing, spending time outdoors, or enjoying a good conversation over coffee. I believe that self-care isn’t selfish; it is essential. I practice what I preach by making time for rest, reflection, and connection with the people I love.
I am deeply grateful for the journey that brought me to this work—the pain, the healing, and the ongoing transformation. Every day, I am humbled by the privilege of walking alongside people in their stories, and I am continually reminded that we are all in this together.
