Philosophy and Therapeutic Approach

Sometimes in our communities, there may not be opportunities to be open with our emotions. To talk about what we’re going through. I want you to know that it’s ok to talk about anxiety and depression; it’s ok to talk about your struggles. You are not alone. Therapy provides a safe space to help you find your voice.

My heart’s desire and calling, much like the prophet Isaiah’s declaration, is to help you understand that I am here to help. I am here to come alongside you and create a safe space where you can share the difficulties you are experiencing, and together, we can work toward a plan that will help you to heal and grow. Even if you feel trapped in your problem, I believe there is freedom in Jesus Christ! There is also hope in Jesus, and I cherish the opportunity and privilege to work together to refresh that hope and experience breakthrough.

I am passionate about helping couples to experience the fullness of relationship through Christ in their lives through trust-building and restoration. I am also passionate about helping individuals find their voice and know who they are in Christ.

What to Expect in Therapy

Take a deep breath. You are in a safe space. In therapy, you can share anything that you want with me—in this safe space, you are not going to be judged or silenced. You are not going to be told what to say. If you are coming from an experience where you have felt hurt, silenced, or that you can’t open up about the things that are happening, there’s a place for you here. You do not have to feel like you’re an island. Let’s talk about those things together.

My goal is to develop a relationship with you that is based on trust and empathy. Respect is very important to me—I want you to feel respected, and I want you to feel heard. I am here to champion you to meet your goals!

My therapeutic work is rooted in my passion to walk alongside others and help
them to thrive and live their lives to the fullest in Jesus. Identity development is a very important aspect of the work I do with clients. To your comfort level, I incorporate prayer and the Bible, leaning on the Holy Spirit as our guide in your healing journey.

Your time is valuable, and I always work to tailor our time in session to your needs, as you move toward accomplishing your goals. I hope that my experience as a pastor and a therapist will bring a depth of empathy, warmth, and understanding to our time together.

Personal Qualifications and Experience

Young people drew me to the therapy field. I am currently a pastor of a Denver-area church, and worked as a youth and young adult pastor for many years. During my time, I married 2 couples in our young adult group, and walking with them through the journey of communication, prayer, and honoring God in marriage was so powerful. There were so many young adults with questions around anxiety, depression, and identity. Having someone they could talk to was so important, and I saw the opportunity to learn more about how to counsel well by returning to school. 

I am currently a graduate student at Colorado Christian University, pursuing a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. I am fluent in Spanish, and have an undergraduate degree in Accounting, and a Master’s degree in Strategic Leadership.

Personal Interests

I have several passions and interests that I look forward to incorporating into my counseling sessions with clients. One of those passions is helping young couples thrive in their relationships as they look toward getting married, for example. I am also passionate about helping people, especially teens and young adults, understand their identity in Christ. When that occurs, there is a passion that ignites in young people to pursue their dreams and goals as they live for Jesus.

Having worked in higher education now for about eighteen years has also allowed me to walk alongside many students (in their teens, twenties, and thirties) and their families with regard to providing the options that they need to pay for college. It is immensely rewarding for me when students and their families share with me that they have  been so positively impacted by our time together. Seeing them triumphantly walking the stage at graduation is priceless. 

I am married to my wife Adri of 15 years, and we love just being together, whether that’s watching movies, talking about the Word (she’s getting a degree in Bible Exposition!), exercising, or even running errands. She is an amazing cook and baker, and I am an amazing taste tester. We love to explore different varieties of food, but especially Mexican, Italian, Chinese, and Colombian. Soccer is my favorite sport, and I am excited that the next World Cup in 2026 will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.