In Depth
Let me start by saying I am a “normal guy,” for whatever that means. I have a family, a house, a career, and all the joys and stresses that come with each of them. I am not self important, don’t have a “god complex,” and I don’t pretend to have all of the answers or always be correct.
What I do have is experience, an extensive skill set, and a true desire to get to know my clients, their hopes, dreams, and issues and together, create an outcome that improves their quality of life.
If this appeals to you, keep reading.
background
I am a native Texan who grew up in Longview and then began a migration southward with each university attended. I have been living in the Austin area for 24 years and have finally found a place that feels like home. After graduating in 1999 with a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor, I began my internship work in the TDCJ corrections system. There I gained much experience about human nature, motivation, and potential for change, as well as being immersed in many cultures, relationship orientations, and systems. After “doing time,” for more than 4 years, I “paroled” to providing therapy for the local Mental Health/Mental Retardation Authority. I then spent the next 4 years providing therapy to adolescents and their families as an affiliate to Williamson County Juvenile services. During this time, I gained experience with the juvenile justice system, family dynamics, and oppositional and antisocial behavior at its dawning. I have been exclusively in private practice since 2006 and have been investing in training, skills, and experience to include relationships of all orientations, life transitions, and deeper individual change.
Personal Life
I consider myself “happily married” for the past 24 years and strive to do the hard work that keeps this the case. It is not always easy, but well worth the efforts. I have a beautiful wife who, to borrow from Jack Nicholson in As Good As It Gets, “makes me want to be a better man.” I have an 17 year old daughter and an 14 year old son with whom I gladly spend the majority of my free time. Like many, I find juggling fatherhood with marriage and employment difficult, but quite rewarding. I attend a Lutheran Church regularly, because I want to. I do not harbor judgment against those who go elsewhere, or nowhere at all, and I am quite comfortable with most any religious belief system or the lack thereof. The Universe seems too big for any one label in my opinion. My parents have been married 51 years and I have one older sibling. We work hard to maintain great relationships with our extended family though they live elsewhere.
Professional
I enjoy what I do for a career as it allows me to be connected to humanity on a global scale while effecting change on a more personal level. On most days, I look forward to helping clients regain control of their lives and relationships. I will admit that this job is stressful and sometimes quite difficult to put down or turn off. If the thought has even crossed your mind, the answer is an emphatic “no,” I don’t do this for the money. In fact, the vast majority of my clients make more money than I do. I can confidently say that I am not self important, don’t have a “god complex,” and I don’t claim to or pretend to have all of the answers or always be correct. What I do have is experience, an extensive skill set, and a true desire to get to know my clients, their hopes, dreams, and issues and, together, create an outcome that improves their quality of life I come to work everyday to provide a service, to give back to the world and humankind by creating a more mindful and responsible population. Feels pretty good too!
Interests
I have many more things that interest me than I have time to attend to them. First and foremost is my family. Believe it or not, I usually enjoy and am interested in spending time with my family. The little time I have outside of family life, I enjoy martial arts, running obstacle races, Scouts BSA, practicing Aikido, home DIY projects, and craft brewing. I have a passion for anthropology, specifically Mayan, Celtic and Native American. I am also active in my cultural heritage and attend all Celtic events possible with traditional Irish or Scottish music as well as attend Pow wows upon occasion. I hope to one day learn Gaelic as well as return to Native American dancing. I also regularly attend Renaissance Faires and take every opportunity to wear a kilt.