Wouldn’t it be nice to get to know your counselor a bit before you met with them? We think so too! Our heart here at Cornerstone is to choose clinicians who have both professional and clinical training, as well as sharing a deeply-held Christian faith. We are always honored to partner with individuals like our newest clinician, Devin. Keep reading to find out more about him!
Where are you from? Tell us a little bit about your family.
(DEVIN) Well, I’ve lived in a few different places, but I was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee. I grew up in a family of nine (including five sisters and a niece who is like a sister). My parents are both physicians, and because of their heavy work schedule, we also had different au pairs live with us for a year at a time until was ten-years- old. My oldest two sisters have mental and physical disabilities (moderate and severe cerebral palsy). One still lives with my parents and the other lives in a group home. My next oldest sisters are twins. One works in finance, and the other is a caretaker. My little sister is in medical school in Portland, Oregon, and my niece is in culinary school out there as well.
My mom grew up on a farm and loved her animals, and she decided to carry over this love to our family. As kindergarten projects for my little sister and I, my mom would bring chicken eggs into our classroom that we incubated and kept watch over until they hatched. When they finally did, we brought them home to roam around our house with all of our other animals. Over the course of my childhood, we had dogs, cats, goats, chickens, a pig, gerbils, rabbits, chinchillas, a tarantula, and an eel.
What are some of your favorite hobbies?
(DEVIN) My favorite hobbies are reading, exercising, and watching sports. I grew up in a family of readers and growing up there would be times where all of us would be sitting on the couch or in the next room with our heads buried in our books. I mostly enjoy reading fiction, history, theology, and psychology. The three sports I enjoy most are football, baseball, and hockey. I could talk and watch sports all day if you let me. Thankfully, my best friend is a sports writer and is my outlet for this passion.
You were part of Young Life, right? Would you mind sharing a favorite memory from your time in that ministry?
(DEVIN) I was! I volunteered with Young Life for eight years and worked on staff for five. I have many wonderful memories of being a Young Life leader. However, nothing brought me more joy than watching the development of the high school students as they moved forward from accepting Christ and growing with Him to serving others because of their faith.
When did you become interested in being a counselor?
(DEVIN) I was about sixteen when I started telling my friends that I wanted to be a counselor. I spent a lot of time in Alateen and Al-anon as a teenager and young adult and became comfortable with sitting with people in their pain. After college, I began working with Young Life, and while I found meaning and purpose in my job, I concluded that I wasn’t able to use my therapeutic gifts in the manner of which I felt called. Eventually, I left to pursue graduate school and become a therapist.
Have you ever been in counseling yourself? What was that experience like for you?
(DEVIN) I needed counseling for a long time, but I always convinced myself that I could fix my problems on my own. However, I often felt sad and distant from others (even in ministry). It wasn’t until I was twenty-six that I finally had enough courage to enter therapy. For me, I was comfortable with sharing my problems, but having a counselor walk with me through my pain and shame was the most freeing aspect of it all. Because of therapy, I am much kinder, less critical, and more forgiving person towards others and myself.
Thank you for sharing some of your life and experiences with us! What days and hours do you work?
(DEVIN) I work at on Monday (1-9p) at our Castle Rock office, Tuesdays (6-9p) at our Denver office, and Thursdays (6-9p) at our Arvada office. Give our office a call at (303-902-3068)</a > to set up an appointment, I look forward to meeting you!
