Background

I grew up in South Georgia in a small rural community. My family was made up of farmers, but I decided to pick a vocation out of the sun and in a cool, air-conditioned building. I went to college at South Georgia College in Douglas, GA and Valdosta State University in Valdosta, GA, where I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood (Elementary) Education. Teaching 5^th grade for four years gave me my first experience working with people. This work led me on my path to counseling, as I had many students whose issues away from school interfered with their ability to learn and function.

Experience

I moved to Greenville, SC in 2004, and I have worked in the counseling field since then. Serving in the addiction field for five years brought unique experience for me. I also have experience in working with children and adolescents who have experienced trauma. Some of my credentials include:

• Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clemson University, 2012.
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
• Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC)
• Clinical Addictions Counselor (CACI)
• Master Addiction Counselor (MAC)
• Rostered Clinician for TF-CBT (Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), Project Best, Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), 2018.

Counseling Approach

My approach to counseling is heavily influenced by Motivational Interviewing (MI) and cognitive approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Rational Emotive Therapy (RET). I believe people who are coming to see me are motivated to change, but often feel stuck to do so. Still, a client’s own motivation is the best guide to approaching the treatment process. I view growth from a cognitive perspective and see change coming from one’s ability to adapt the patterns of belief that leave a person stuck.

Personal Qualities

I have a wonderful wife and two children. My faith is also very important to me. I became a Christian when I was 18 years old, and my relationship with Jesus has been my guide for my life since. This view also shapes my counseling in that I see in every client the imprint or image of God. I believe this image is broken, but that God has called me to help people repair the imprint so they may serve others in His world. I also believe that every personal encounter is important, that each person I meet is an image bearer of the Creator of this world. My desire is that my clients always feel they are being treated with dignity and kindness.