My Passion
I am passionate about whole-person healing, involving all parts of yourself. While I use an evidence-based approach to therapy, I offer you the option of integrating faith and spirituality as part of your overall care.
As a pastor, I can also include the Bible or prayer for those who request it. However, I work with anyone regardless of your faith tradition or your life choices and will work with you using your beliefs.
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I am also happily married and a proud father of two energetic boys!
My Qualifications
I am a licensed (clinical) marriage and family therapist in Maryland (LCM754), District of Columbia (LMFT200001211), and California (LMFT 111604). I have a PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy, and in addition to being a former professor, I have been counseling individuals, couples, families and groups since 2007. I am also a certified professional coach.
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Education & Certifications
Ph.D. – Marital & Family Therapy
M.S. – Marital & Family Therapy
B.A. – Theology
Certificate – Drug & Alcohol Counseling
Certificate – Family Life Education (from Loma Linda University)
My Treatment Approach:
'Treasure Therapy'
I can help you reconnect and restore emotional intimacy with yourself, partner, family, or God. I believe that understanding emotions are important to overcome obstacles of shame, fear, or shame-based cycles of addiction. My clinical work emphasizes the use of experiential psychotherapy models, such as Gestalt therapy, emotionally-focused therapy, or psychodrama, in working with individuals, couples, and families. My focus areas tend to be on romantic relationships, sexuality, the impact of hurtful habits on relationships, and spirituality.
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I developed an integrative model of psychotherapy called “Treasure Therapy,” which integrates components of other evidenced-based models, such as emotionally-focused therapy. This approach sees the inherent dignity, beauty, and worth (the “treasure”) in all people and accepts you where you are. My five main goals are to:
1. Build a trusting, safe environment for you to talk.
2. Raise awareness and insight about your problems.
3. Create possible solutions together.
4. Instill a sense of hope and peace.
5. Identify your strengths and how you are adapting to challenges.
In order to completely resolve your problem, I follow a biopsychosocial approach that attends to four areas: the professional alliance, your relationship unit, you as an individual, and how you interact with others. For those who are religious, I can also look at your spirituality. Together, we will look at how you see “treasures” in each of these areas.
Topics Addressed
Relationships
couples, dating, break-ups, divorce, separation, abuse, family conflict, infidelity, love, intimacy, premarital counseling, marriage counseling, commitment, self-esteem, the impact of depression or anxiety, shame, trauma
Sexuality
trauma, sexual compulsiveness, sexual desire, reconnecting sexually, sexual compatibility, acceptance, kink, power, consent
Hurtful Habits
addiction, alcohol abuse, drugs, dual diagnosis, internet addiction, pornography, sexual compulsivity
Spirituality
purpose in life, helping others, social justice, religion, God, faith, Christianity, Bible, ministry, perfectionism, cults, evangelicals, Seventh-day Adventist, Sabbath