You do not need the right words, a clearly defined goal, or everything figured out before you begin. We can start with what feels most important—or most difficult—and work together from there.

What I value most about counseling is helping people understand themselves more clearly, recognize strengths they may have lost sight of, and make changes that reflect who they are and what matters to them. I believe you already carry important knowledge, values, abilities, relationships, and resources that can become foundations for change. My role is not to be the expert on your life or supply every answer. I offer careful listening, thoughtful questions, clinical knowledge, practical tools, and a collaborative relationship in which we can discover what is useful to you.

My path to counseling grew from years of ministry, hospital chaplaincy, hospice care, and grief support. I have accompanied individuals and families through serious illness, dementia, caregiving, death, bereavement, and other experiences that can change how people understand themselves and the world. That work taught me that people do not always need to be fixed or given quick answers. Often, they first need someone willing to remain present, listen without judgment, and help them make sense of what they are carrying.

My counseling style is warm, grounded, curious, and collaborative. We may explore connections among your thoughts, emotions, behaviors, relationships, and life experiences. At other times, we may focus on practical coping or communication skills, support, boundaries, or a manageable next step. I value honesty and depth, but I also welcome appropriate humor, ordinary conversation, silence, and the parts of life that do not fit neatly into a clinical category.

I work with adults facing grief and loss, anxiety, depression, caregiver stress and burnout, serious illness, major transitions, and questions of meaning or identity. I am especially interested in supporting bereaved spouses and partners, caregivers, men seeking counseling, clergy, healthcare workers, counselors, and other helpers who may be practiced at caring for others but uncertain how to receive care themselves.

In grief counseling, I do not view grief as a disease or a problem to eliminate. Grief reflects the significance of a person, relationship, role, hope, or way of life. Our work may involve making room for grief, maintaining meaningful connections with what or whom you have lost, adapting to a changed life, and gradually reconnecting with responsibilities, relationships, purpose, and hope. Moving forward does not have to mean leaving someone or something important behind.

Earlier in my career, I served in an LGBTQIA+-affirming campus ministry whose community included students of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. That experience is part of my commitment to providing counseling in which LGBTQIA+ clients are welcomed, respected, and not asked to defend or explain who they are.

Drawing on my background as ordained clergy and a former chaplain, I can also provide spiritually integrated counseling when you want it. Spirituality is never assumed or imposed. My intention is to connect with you, not convert you. I welcome people who are religious, spiritual but not religious, questioning, doubting, deconstructing, disconnected from organized religion, nonreligious, or recovering from religious harm.

Outside counseling, I enjoy reading, writing, music, movies, time with family and friends, playing with my dogs, mindfulness meditation, prayer, and intentional solitude. These practices remind me that rest, connection, reflection, and self-care are not selfish; they are essential parts of being human.