Qualifications & Experience

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Marian College and a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University in West Los Angeles, CA.

I have been providing counseling (spiritual, emotional, and mental health) for almost 21 years. The first eight years were as a youth leader and associate pastor at my local church. Since starting and completing my degree, I have spent the past 13 years in a more formal counseling role.

My Call to Christian Counseling

I was encouraged to pursue a career in counseling while working with youth in ministry at my church. As I was completing a Bachelor’s degree in business, I wasn’t completely fulfilled with the work I’d be doing and wanted to do something that would have a more personal impact on people. I was already working in ministry as a youth leader and found myself helping parents and young people alike through challenging seasons. This influenced me the most. I was also influenced by family members who worked in the mental health field. Knowing their journeys and the experiences they had gave me a strong sense of confidence that I could support individuals in the same way.

More About Me/On a Personal Note

I have been married to my lovely wife Yarnell for almost 21 years. We have two beautiful daughters. We enjoy spending time together traveling, watching movies, and eating. My family is my core ministry and they come second only to God. I am an avid golfer. I love the sport from watching to playing. I also enjoy baseball and football. Being from Indianapolis, I am a Colts fan, and I grew up loving the Chicago Cubs. My other interests surround church and outreach. I enjoy studying the Bible to teach and preach lessons. I also enjoy time on the mission field in West Africa.

Areas of Expertise/Specialties

• Abandonment and Neglect
• ADHD
• Anger Management
• Anxiety
• Bipolar Disorder
• Chemical dependency
• Coaching
• Couples counseling
• Depression
• Family Counseling
• Grief and Loss
• Individual counseling
• Marriage Counseling
• Online Counseling
• Personal Development
• Premarital Counseling
• Professional Development
• Relationship Issues
• Spiritual development
• Trauma

ADHD

Clients in need of support who meet the criteria for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder can expect a robust program of counseling that focuses on developing habits and lifestyles that will reduce the deficits of the disorder and enhance strengths. Clients will learn that their challenges are a different way to view the world and will adopt these challenges as strengths that they can access to live more prosocial and normative daily lives.

Marriage & Couples Counseling

Couples searching for support in various stages of their relational development will engage in counseling with each other to build on the core foundation of their relationship. Each partner will learn their partner’s needs and expectations as well as learn how to work through challenges that could or do impede the peace and harmony of their relationship. Couples will develop a healthy way to communicate and give their relationship a unified language and compromised vision.

Professional Development & Coaching

Professionals on all rungs of the corporate ladder will enjoy a challenging process of discovery and application of purpose in the marketplace. They will develop ways to incorporate faith into their career and stand with conviction and integrity. I will work with you to develop a plan of action to execute that will help you accomplish your goals and reach the professional level you desire in your career.

Mental Health Counseling Support

Clients with mental health challenges ranging from anxiety disorders to mood disorders will participate in a structured counseling program that will help them develop coping skills and gain insight on their emotional challenges as they relate to a diagnosis. I will act as a support by regularly evaluating and developing plans of care that will help you maintain a consistent level of functioning in your daily life.

Grief & Loss Counseling

Grief and loss counseling will start with a structured process of support to allow you to feel supported but not pushed. Once you feel you have reached a particular space of acceptance, you will be invited to work on re-engaging in your life without the presence of your lost loved one. We will move at your pace and take as long as you need to work through the emotions that are intrinsic to loss and grief.

Sessions: I offer 53-minute sessions. Sessions can be held more than once per week, weekly, or every other week. Scheduling options are discussed in greater detail during your Risk-Free Initial Session.

Availability (by office location):

• Los Angeles – Tuesday and Thursday
• Santa Monica – Thursday
• Online Counseling – Monday, Tuesday and Thursday

Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for individuals, couples, and families looking to pursue counseling with me. Please note that there is a fee for the Risk-Free Initial Session as it is a clinical hour and reimbursable to most insurance companies, but if you choose not to reschedule and continue therapy after the initial session the entire fee for the session will be waived. For ongoing treatment, the full fee per session is required at the time of service.

Insurance: As a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist (LMFT), most insurance companies will reimburse for a portion of my services (as an Out of Network Provider). Please consult with your insurance provider as to whether they specifically cover individuals and couples.

Receipts/Statements: In the event, you require a printed or digital receipt, I will provide receipts for personal use, insurance reimbursement, Flex Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).

Payment options: Cash, Check, or Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, & American Express). A fee of up to 3.7% plus $0.15 per transaction will be added for credit card payments.