FAQ

I schedule sessions Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, typically on the hour.

I also offer evening sessions from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on various evenings each week.

Saturday morning sessions are also available between 9:00 am and noon.

Typical sessions last 50 minutes. That provides me time between sessions to prepare for each client and complete my notes.

Longer sessions work better for couples counseling because both partners have much to discuss and work through.

I also provide intensive sessions for those who want to dig deep faster instead of spreading therapy out over a longer period.

I am an out-of-network provider, meaning I do not work directly with insurance companies. There are several reasons for this.

First, it preserves your privacy. An insurance company can require access to all medical records, so I can no longer guarantee your confidentiality.

Plus, health insurance companies typically only pay when a mental illness is diagnosed. Many people prefer not to have such a diagnosis in their medical records.

If you would like to use your insurance, I can provide you with the paperwork for you to file for out-of-network reimbursement, depending on the details of your insurance policy.

At its core, counseling is about change – about trying to make some improvement in your life. It could be a problem you want to avoid (e.g., anxiety, a habit, or relationship struggles). Or everything might be pretty good right now, but you want to improve to the next level.

In counseling, those changes occur by exploring and working through what might be holding you back or perpetuating the struggle. We talk about ways of thinking that might keep you stuck, problematic emotions, or unproductive patterns of interactions or behavior. We then apply different perspectives, strategies, or techniques to promote a better outcome.

But can’t I do that on my own? Why pay someone else to talk with me about it?

As I’ve grown (hopefully matured), I’ve learned that I’m not as talented as I think. For example, I love working on my car. Sometimes my ego leads me to work on a mechanical issue that takes me much more time and money than I originally envisioned. I usually wish I had taken it to an experienced mechanic who could have done the job better and faster – and maybe even cheaper after all the unforeseen expenses I ended up paying.

Counseling is similar. Sure, you can research your problem, read self-help books, and spend lots of time pondering your feelings. And maybe that will work. Sometimes it does. But I have never regretted the times I’ve gone to counseling because I ended up learning more than I ever would have on my own. And honestly, I never would have seen my struggle from the perspective of a counselor, and they often see it quickly.

Plus, there is something about working with another person that creates synergy in counseling. In those situations, 1 + 1 = 3, or 4, or 5, instead of just 2.

I believe in-person therapy is more effective than online therapy because counseling is not just about gaining knowledge. A big part of why it works is your relationship with another human.

That can happen online, but being in the room with the actual person brings a higher level of humanity to the process.

But online therapy has benefits, like convenience and feeling safer or more comfortable. That’s why I provide telehealth services.

Which we use is totally up to you!

I advertise my ministry background because some people want a therapist who shares their Christian faith and can integrate their religious beliefs into their therapy. But I only discuss religious or spiritual beliefs with clients who request it, and I help them apply their faith, not mine.

I am not a “biblical counselor” who approaches counseling primarily from just one particular Christian perspective. My approach to counseling arises from the principles and techniques I was taught during my professional counseling degree. Sure, I incorporate insights I learned from decades of working with people in ministry, just like someone with a business background would incorporate lessons learned from their experiences in the business world.

For some, when they hear the word “Christian,” what comes to mind is a person who is judgmental, closed-minded, and scientifically naïve. Unfortunately, that is true of some people who hold to Christian beliefs. But I work hard NOT to be that kind of person or therapist.

I have no time to judge you for whatever you struggle with or choose to do in your life. I’ve got enough struggles in my own life to work on, so judging your life when you know your needs better than I do is a waste of time (and, frankly, rather arrogant).

The truth is… I’ve learned a lot from my clients through the years. The chances are that I’ll grow from the process as much as you will.

I have sought the help of counselors at various times in my life when problems felt overwhelming… or I didn’t know how to work through struggles I was facing at the time.

The first time I went to therapy did not go well. That therapist and I were not a good fit. But the next one I found helped me tremendously. That experience taught me the importance of being the right fit for a client and gave me more insight into how and how not to do counseling.

Sometimes paying for counseling was difficult, but afterward, I felt it was worth every penny for the relief and direction it provided me in my life and relationships.

I received my degree in counseling in 2015. My first counseling gig was in court-ordered drug treatment. Nothing like being thrown into the deep end to learn how to swim! It was an amazing experience, and I still use much of what I learned in my current practice. After that, I worked for an in-patient behavioral health hospital, then with a private group practice. My dream was to have my own business as a private practice counselor, so I set out on my own when the opportunity presented itself.

First is my age. I once had a professor say that therapists are in their prime in their 50s and 60s. They have a lot of life experience at that point to draw from, along with their professional training. I’ve learned a lot from almost six decades of life, two careers, five degrees, living in seven states, breaking hearts and having my heart broken, meeting and marrying an amazing wife, and figuring out how to raise three teenage boys.

Second, I’m a scientist at heart. I enjoy collaborating with my clients and searching like a pair of detectives, following clues to figure out what is going on, and then trying different solutions to find what works. This isn’t just applying some principle learned from a book. I want to learn from my clients and their struggles and successes.

Third, I believe I’m approachable and relatable. I’m not just a therapist but a fellow human, who hurts, laughs, eats things I shouldn’t, gets depressed, and makes mistakes. I’m not just a skilled listener but also have engaging stories to tell. I’ve been skydiving, white water rafting on the Nile River, walking the streets of Siberia in wintertime, going on a date with a Victoria Secret’s model, working with inmates in a maximum security prison, and dissecting a human cadaver. I could go on, but you’ve got better things to do than read about my life.