Born and raised in the State of Maine, my journey of counselor education began through the art of listening. Though I didn’t know it at the time, I was learning the crafts of empathy and storytelling at the feet of my elders. My great-grandmother would tell stories of hardship and bags of candy that sold for a penny. In hearing stories, I learned to absorb the wisdom of those who had gone before me, to cherish and to nurture relationships. Over time, I recognized God’s call to a life of service to others. I could also see that in order for me to fully engage in the task, I needed to be more adequately equipped. I had to formalize my counseling skills.
After receiving a bachelor’s degree at Valley Forge Christian College, I pursued further education by enrolling in a Masters degree in Counseling program at Ashland Theological Seminary in Ohio. I also began my official exposure to the mental health profession. My thirst for increased knowledge led me to the University of Northern Colorado.
The education that I received at UNC provided me with the Counselor Education and Supervision skills with which to fulfill my goal of improved counseling effectiveness and introduced me to the disciplines of supervision, research and scholarship. I was again sitting at the feet of wisdom.
In my professional experience I enjoy providing therapy and supervision for individuals, couples and families, as well as working in the specialized fields providing substance abuse/dependency and domestic violence perpetrator treatment. A concurrent thread in my life has been establishing relationships with my friends who are 1.5 and 2nd generation Korean –Americans. I continue to maintain these relationships that serve to open my eyes to this rich heritage and emerging spiritual culture.
I enjoy passing on to others what I have learned and exploring with others who are also in the process of integration. Though I am now in a formal position of teaching, I still sit at the place of learning-academically, interpersonally, culturally, whatever form it takes.
My wife Lori and I have five children who are homeschoolers. When asked, “How many kids do you have?, I like to say only five just to get a reaction. We enjoy the outdoors and our new Beagle-Trevor. We look forward to raising our family in the knowledge of the Lord and hope to travel the world in search of His splendor and majesty.
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