About Me
INTRO
First and foremost, I’m a husband to Linda (m.90) and father of daughter, Sydney (b.97) and son, Josh (b.99). They are my “happy place” and should there be a conflict of any kind between any of them and pretty much anything else, I choose them.
As a Professional Counselor, I’ve been most effective helping those struggling with the effects of trauma and abuse, forgiveness, addictions, infidelity, stress, burnout, anxiety and depression, parenting challenges, blended family adjustments, life transitions, grief and work-life balance. As a Leadership Consultant, I’ve been most effective helping leaders define their strengths and build a support team around them, manage staff issues, leadership crisis and change management situations.
Although trained in several clinical approaches (e.g., individual and family psychotherapy models including, Object Relations Therapy), over decades of practice, I have adopted a Contextualized Approach that considers neurobiology (body), psychology (mind) and spirituality (spirit). My approach helps me gain insight (like a psychological x-ray) into your conscious and unconscious internal dynamics to help you get clarity about your internal world so we can help you get untangled and freed up to move toward a more authentic and healthier version of you.
Having lived and worked in different countries and cultures, and worked with clients from diverse backgrounds, I’m confident I can assist you in your growth process.
The counseling relationship is a unique, confidential, safe, and often intense emotional crucible for exploring who you are. I have the utmost respect for those who enter it. After more than thirty years of clinical practice, I’ve learned that insight and understanding counts for, at most, 49% of what brings about healing and change. The majority resides in embodying those insights in real life change. While lasting change starts internally, it can only be verified and validated externally – in the context of relationships. Examining and working through unresolved past experiences, learning how to regulate yourself, becoming more conscious of your “meaning-maker”, learning to forgive, resetting expectations, taking personal responsibility and learning how to ingest the words and actions of others in a healthy manner, are some of ingredients typically involved in the process of becoming a more authentic and healthier you.
My academic journey included completing a B.A. Specialization in Psychology & Minor in Education (’87) from Concordia University (Montreal, PQ), a Diploma in Religious Studies (89′) from University of Ottawa (Ottawa, ON), an M.A. in Counseling (’91’) from the University of Ottawa (Ottawa, ON), an M.A. in Christian Leadership (’97) from the Graduate School of Theology at Fuller Seminary (Pasadena, CA), and a PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy (’04) from the Graduate School of Psychology at Fuller Seminary (Pasadena, CA). I also worked as an Adjunct Professor at the Calgary extension of Vanguard College (’99-’04) where I co-designed and taught the curriculum for the four-year Counseling Major.
My doctoral dissertation titled, “A Theory of Congregational Intervention: A Decision Making Model for Handling Clergy Sexual Misconduct“, summarized twelve years of research and consulting focused on helping decision makers and church leaders assist their staff and congregation navigate their way through instances of clergy sexual misconduct.
I earned my counseling stripes working at Counseling Clinics in Ottawa ON (91′-93′) and Athens ON (92′-93′) in Canada, then in Diamond Bar (94′-98′) and Covina (95′-98′) in California. I’ve operated a Private Practice in Ottawa (91′-93′) and Calgary (98′ to present).
I am a Clinical Member (psychotherapist) and Clinical Supervisor with the Professional Association of Christian Counselors and Psychotherapists (PACCP #502AB12). I am a Counseling Therapist with the Association of Counseling Therapy of Alberta (ACTA #1449).
In 98′ I began consulting one-on-one with Individual Leaders as well as church and small business Leadership Groups. The majority of my work with individual leaders has focused on their growth as a person and as a leader. The majority of my work with leadership groups has been focused on leading through crisis and transition.
I have served as a Pastor at four churches (Canada and U.S, 86′-07′), served as a Board Member (including chairperson) of several non-profit and charitable organizations in Canada (99′-06′), served as a Field Director of a Panama-based humanitarian organization focused on water, food and clean air technologies (08′-12′) and served as a Consultant to dozens of churches and Christian ministries globally, across multiple denominations, regarding leadership issues, specializing in leadership misconduct (98’ to present), as well as working with several small and medium size businesses.
