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

What I appreciate most about counseling is the opportunity to accompany people as they better understand themselves, recognize strengths they may have lost sight of, and make changes that reflect who they are and what matters most to them. I believe clients already carry important knowledge, values, abilities, relationships, and resources that can become foundations for change. My role is not to position myself as the expert on your life or supply all the answers. Instead, I offer careful listening, thoughtful questions, clinical knowledge, practical tools, and a collaborative relationship in which we can discover what is helpful to you.  

My path to counseling grew from many years of ministry, hospital chaplaincy, hospice care, and grief support. I have spent much of my professional life accompanying individuals and families through serious illness, dementia, caregiving, death, bereavement, and other experiences that change how people understand themselves and the world around them. Those experiences taught me that people do not always need to be fixed or given quick answers. Often, they first need someone who is 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. Sessions with me may include exploring connections among your thoughts, emotions, behaviors, relationships, and life experiences. At other times, we may focus on developing practical coping or communication skills, identifying support, setting boundaries, or considering 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.  My approach is person-centered and strengths-based, drawing upon existential therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance-based approaches, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused strategies. This means we may explore questions of identity, freedom, responsibility, meaning, loss, and values while also identifying unhelpful thought patterns and practicing concrete ways of responding differently. I do not believe one approach fits every person, so our work will be shaped by your needs, goals, culture, values, and preferences.  

I work primarily with adults experiencing grief and loss, anxiety, depression, caregiver stress and burnout, serious illness, major life 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 helping professionals who may be skilled 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 that should be eliminated. 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, adjusting to a changed life, and gradually reconnecting with responsibilities, relationships, purpose, and moments of hope. Moving forward does not have to mean leaving someone or something important behind.  

As an ordained United Methodist minister and 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 deeply religious, spiritual but not religious, questioning, doubting, deconstructing, disconnected from organized religion, nonreligious, or recovering from religious harm.  

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