About Me, My Philosophy & my Therapeutic training
A Life Dedicated to Family & Growth
Decades of Love, Learning, and Cultivating a Creative and Meaningful Life
I have been married to the woman I fell in love with as a senior in college for 36 years. In the process, we brought two sons into the world and have loved the often bewildering, but wonderful process of staying in love and married, while becoming—and staying a close family. Although we are from California, we have lived in Colorado for the past 37 years, long enough to be considered residents of this grand state.
After having worked in various capacities in the corporate and private sector, I returned to school for training as a Marriage and Family Therapist as well as a Clinical Community Mental Health Counselor. Pamela and I have served in the public school system in Northern Colorado, she for 32 years and I for the past ten years. In all we have 70 years of experience working with youth and families. We have a deep love for the outdoors, especially the ocean.
As creatives, we practice and produce art with paint, photography, music, and working the soil to bring about food for the table and flowers for the senses.
My specialized training includes Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) – Level 1, Gottman Couples Therapist-Level 1, Career Counseling and Corporate, Medical, Academic/Educator Consultation.
Why Hawaii?
I was a haole (mainlander) in Hawaii, teaching at James Campbell High School on Oahu. During that time, I connected with my students who taught me many of the concepts of Polynesian values and way of life. These values resonated with me and align with what I believe about life and living. Many of these I have incorporated in my approach to therapy and counseling. The islands will always be my home away from home, a place I hope to return to often to assist me on my path toward living in Kanoa and Kuliana.
My Therapeutic Approach
I use strengths-based therapy and believe that people are geared toward healing and growth and experts of their current experience. My initial approach is to do a biological, psychological, social/cultural, and spiritual assessment. As a basis of therapy, I use a family systems approach. This approach maintains that we are all interconnected; relationships, families, and societal influences all impact who we are, and lasting change comes from a deeper understanding of these connections. I also believe in the importance of cultivating the relationship we have with ourselves. While promoting self-compassion, I utilize an integrative counseling approach when requested, which is the integration of theology and psychology to help clients better understand themselves, their needs, and their goals through incorporating the power of hope.
Read This Blog Article to Learn How I Feel About Tik Tok
The pervasive influence of social media on adolescent development is undeniable, making TikTok’s role in shaping a generation a compelling and vital discussion. I invite opportunities to speak with you about this timely topic, sharing my perspectives and fostering a deeper understanding of its implications for teens.
How Tik Tok is Muting an Entire Generation
The Silent Erosion: How TikTok and the Algorithm Are Muting a Generation In the vibrant, often chaotic landscape of modern adolescence, a new, insidious threat has emerged, silently chipping away at the mental well-being and authentic voices of an entire...