was born overseas, the son of missionary parents. These experiences have given me an understanding of the role one's culture plays in their life. Since graduating from college, I have called the Puget Sound region home. I have been married for over 25 years and have 3 children. For most of my life, I have either been an adolescent or I have been working with them. This gives me a unique perspective of families and the tensions that each one has. I have a passion for men and believe that God has a unique call on men that many fail to realize. Finally, I have a belief that the family is the basic building block of society and thus believe that healthy families will help our society to be healthy. Marriage is important and I enjoy working with couples and families to help them achieve God's plan for them. I view the counseling process as forming an alliance with you to explore the issues that brought you in to see me. You have taken a very positive step by deciding to seek therapy. According to my theoretical orientation, you were created for relationship and that these relationships will the source both of your greatest pleasure and also your greatest pain. The outcome of your treatment depends largely on your willingness to engage in this process, which may, at times, result in considerable discomfort. Remembering unpleasant events and becoming aware of feelings attached to those events can bring on strong feelings of anger, depression, anxiety, etc. There are no miracle cures. I cannot promise that your behavior or circumstance will change. I can promise to support you and do my very best to understand you and repeating patterns, as well as to help you clarify what it is that you want for yourself. While my counseling foundation is biblical, I recognize that not everyone shares my worldview. Our time together will be primarily conversational. On occasion and only with your permission, our session may include prayer.