We love the Colorado Springs community that we have gotten to know over the years. At Cornerstone, we want to continue to offer affordable Christian Counseling to as many people as we can in the Colorado Springs area. So we have the exciting pleasure of introducing the newest member of our team, Paul!
1. What’s been your career journey up to this point?
I graduated from Grand Canyon University with a B.A. in Christian Studies (emphasizing in Biblical Literature and youth) and a minor in philosophy. I was able to take this education back to where I grew up in Naperville, IL, and worked with an amazing youth ministry team at an awesome local church.
For ten years I was part of many opportunities to encourage youth, work with families, train and build up other leaders, do some speaking, and support the community around us. It was also during this time I met my wife.
As our wedding approached, God ultimately showed me that He had even more planned for our lives, and there needed to be some changes. We moved to Colorado and I pursued a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through Denver Seminary.
Now with this completed, I stand humbled and in awe of my experiences and I am crazy excited to see what comes next in my future!
2. Why did you join the Cornerstone team? What are you excited about?
Sometimes, there are moments where you just know there is a perfect fit for you somewhere! This is how I felt about joining the Cornerstone team. A lot of counselors can burn out when they are on their own, so I’m excited about being a part of a team that is going to support each other to be the best counselors that we can be. And when we are at our best, our clients will be able to be at their best. This is the right environment to cultivate healthy growth, however, that may look.
3. What drew you into the counseling field? Why did you become a therapist?
I love being able to help people. I honestly believe it comes naturally to me. Spending so many years in youth ministry, I realized that the times I loved the most were when I could sit down and get to know someone. When I took a step back and looked at where these strengths were, and where God was guiding me, I made the change to become a therapist!
4. Have you been through counseling yourself? What was that like for you?
Yes! I have done premarital counseling and my own individual counseling. I believe both were very rewarding and helpful for each time in my life. Premarital counseling brought my wife and I closer together before we were married. Individual counseling gave me a place to process things going on in my life. Having another perspective and understanding allowed me to see situations in a completely different light.
5. What would you tell someone thinking about counseling?
I would say that this can be one of the most rewarding experiences in your life if you give it a chance. Sometimes we just need that different perspective and an opportunity to get out of our own heads from time to time. Give counseling a chance to make a change in your life–it might just be the thing you need to get to where you want to go!
6. What’s one random or fun fact about you?
I absolutely love cooking. I grill, bake, broil, smoke, and sautee any time I can. I find it to be a very grounding and peaceful experience. Focusing on the smells, tastes, colors, and textures can revolutionize any cooking experience.
