I have been local to Knoxville since 2007. I originally came to East Tennessee to be a teaching faculty at Johnson University, and currently I serve as a Professor of Counseling at Johnson. Below are a few ‘snapshots’ of areas that you might be interested in:
Practical & Ministry Experience
I have been a counselor for over 20 years. My journey has taken me through phases when I’ve lived in Texas, Ohio, and now Tennessee. In each of these settings I have established an independent counseling practice as well as working directly with local communities of faith through providing workshops, weekend enrichment events, counseling, and consultation in the areas of leadership and community dynamics. In addition to these services, I have also had the opportunity to co-found and develop a non-profit institute (the Texas Family Institute in Abilene, TX).
Education & Training
After starting my college career at Ohio State University, I graduated from Bluffton University (Ohio) in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Youth Ministry. I earned a Master of Marriage and Family Therapy from Abilene Christian University in 2000, and completed my Ph.D. in Family Therapy from Texas Woman’s University. I have been licensed as a Marriage & Family Therapist in Texas, Ohio, and Tennessee.
Teaching & Academic Interests
I began university teaching at Abilene Christian University, where I taught in a program designed to help at-risk students succeed in higher education. I later taught courses in the graduate Marriage and Family Therapy program. When my family relocated to Ohio, I spent one year teaching at Bluffton University, my alma mater, within the Psychology Department. I joined Johnson in 2007, where I now teach courses which prepare students for work in the counseling field. Topics I have a particular interest in include ethics, spirituality, human sexuality, and practical applications to the “doing of counseling.”
I am a member of the following professional associations:
- American Counseling Association (ACA)
- American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy (AAMFT)
- Tennessee Association for Marriage & Family Therapy (TNAMFT)
- Association for Spirituality, Ethics, and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC)
Interests & Hobbies
Without question, my passion is my family where I spend the majority of my time and energy. My other interests include outdoor activities (such as camping and running), woodworking, and watching sporting events.