My path to becoming a counselor was not straightforward.
I grew up in rural California, about 30 miles from the nearest traffic light. In middle school, I began attending a local church and it was during a summer camp at Hume Lake that Jesus found me. That decision changed the direction of my life, and I became deeply involved in my church community. During high school, I experienced both the beauty and the pain of walking with others through grief. When the wife of my youth pastor was diagnosed with cancer and later passed away. I often sat with my peers, sharing in their sorrow and grieving together. Those moments planted early seeds of what it means to be present with people in their deepest struggles.
During my senior year, I fell in love and married a year later. Today, my wife and I have been blessed with four wonderful children. There is nothing more rewarding as a parent than watching your children grow, flourish, and step confidently into their own lives.
As a couple, we attended Fresno State, where I earned a B.S. in Biology. Marrying young required a great deal of personal growth, and I was thankful for a strong church community and a small group of young couples who supported us as we learned and grew together.
After graduation, God redirected my path toward ministry. I pursued a Master of Divinity at Western Seminary in San Jose while also serving as a pastor in our local church. After four years, our family moved to Eugene, Oregon, where I spent the next decade serving in various churches, developing skills in recruitment, leadership, and team building. These years brought both joy and hardship. Alongside meaningful ministry, I faced hurt, betrayal, and broken relationships—experiences that challenged my faith and tested my understanding of myself and others.
It was during this season that a skilled counselor walked alongside me, helping me process my pain and discover new possibilities. With his guidance, I found the courage to return to school and pursue a degree in counseling. I re-enrolled at Western Seminary, this time in Portland, and earned a Master of Arts in Counseling.
While in training, I interned at a community counseling center, where I worked with individuals who carried long histories of misdiagnosis and confusing symptoms. I began to notice a common thread—many were living with the effects of Complex Trauma that had gone unrecognized. Helping these individuals find clarity and healing was deeply rewarding, and I realized I had discovered my calling.
After graduation, I worked in a psychiatric clinic under the mentorship of a clinical psychologist who specialized in PTSD. For two years, I immersed myself in learning trauma-focused care, gaining extensive experience in treating PTSD. My supervisor also emphasized the importance of adapting therapy to different personality types. This insight not only shaped my approach but also gave my clients a deeper understanding of themselves and their relationships.
Today, I continue to integrate these experiences into my work as a counselor. I believe faith and personal values are vital parts of the healing process. My Christian worldview provides a foundation for understanding individual and relational health, and it guides my commitment to a compassionate, holistic approach. It is my joy to walk alongside people as they navigate the complexities of their past and move toward restoration, resilience, and hope.
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