have
been a counselor since 1975 when I took my first training classes.
My work then was part-time as I worked with teens in one-on-one and
group settings that were referred to me through the court system. In
1983 I began counseling full-time as my career. As I look back over
my life, I guess I have always been a counselor. I love people and
have always invested myself in them. I worked with inner city kids
while I was in high school and worked in the children's unit of a
mental hospital while in college. I work in many areas of the
counseling arena and with people from three to eighty. I feel
blessed that God has given me the gifts to make me an effective
counselor and has called me to this work.
For me, counseling is a relationship. Trust is essential and I
want to take whatever time is necessary to build this trust. I am
always humbled when a client says to me, "I have never shared this
with anyone before." I like to problem solving and seeking solutions
that will bring healing and are consistent with God's Word.
Counseling is a process. Unfortunately there are usually no quick
fixes.
I feel that it is important for the client to work on the
solutions that we agree on during the week between sessions. This
way the client stays focused and the process moves forward. Together
we then can evaluate progress and make adjustments.
My life has also prepared me as a counselor. I grew up in a
Christian home and was strongly influenced by my parents and
grandparents. Over the years, God has continued to put godly people
in my life. In 1968, I met my wife to be Nancy as we were students
at Texas Christian University. We dated two years and then married.
We have been married since 1970.
We have a great marriage but it took a lot of hard work on both our
parts. The results have well been worth the effort.
We have two children. Grant and
Julie. Grant is married to Robbie and they have three children
Sunny, Tag, and Tommy. Julie and Doug are having their first child
this summer. Our children and grandchildren are a blessing. Our
home in many ways has been my classroom as a counselor.
My hobbies are many and I search for time to enjoy them. I am a
runner and do that five times
a week. I enjoy working in my yard and having projects around the
house. I read a lot and usually have four or five books going at
once. I love most sports and am an avid fan. My favorite times
though are Sunday evenings in our backyard with my family.
I also teach two courses
"Preparing for the Marriage of a Lifetime" and "Living the Marriage
of a Lifetime." "Preparing for the Marriage of a Lifetime" is
taught live, on DVD, and on the internet. I have written companion
books for these courses under the same names.
I hope this has allowed you to know a little more about who I am
and the work that I do. Family Christian Counseling is a great
ministry that I am very excited to be a part of.