Hello

Raised in rural Ohio, I attended Mt. Vernon Nazarene College for undergraduate work in Psychology and Philosophy.  I then went on to earn a Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology from Rosemead School of Psychology in La Mirada, California. At the time, it was one of only two programs in the nation that was both APA accredited and explicitly Christian. I'm grateful to be trained and comfortable helping people explore spiritual & religious questions, as for many people these are core elements of how they see themselves and their world.

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Following our time in California, my wife and I moved to Pennsylvania for the final internship at Philhaven Hospital, a private psychiatric hospital in (then associated with the Mennonite church), we then moved back home to Ohio where I began my clinical career in a community mental health center in Wooster working with adults and adolescents.

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Over the years, I have had opportunities to provide counseling/psychotherapy to youth, families, and adults in a variety of settings, teach a variety of classes at the university level, serve on various county-wide crisis response teams, consult with law enforcement, military personnel, churches/parishes and schools, and provide educational seminars on numerous topics. 

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With over 30 years of clinical experience, I especially enjoy working with adults and teens to help them address emotional/behavioral difficulties, strengthen their relationships, and support growth in their spiritual faith. I became Roman Catholic in 2008, after a 12-year journey from Wesleyan Protestant traditions. I find it deeply meaningful to schedule and attend a personal silent retreat at least annually at The Abbey of Gethsemani in Trappist, KY and have become a Lay Cistercian of the Abbey.