Men’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

I received my Masters in Counseling and Master of Divinity at Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana, in 1986. Drs. Larry Crabbe and Dan Allender did the bulk of the teaching and training in the counseling program. It was a powerful and transformative experience in my life.

I am also a licensed clinical counselor in the state of Ohio (#0003902). Keeping this current requires a significant amount of continuing education. This is an independent license which also allows me to supervise other counselors in training.

I have been a professional counselor for 30 years both in my own private practice and on the staff of two large churches in Columbus, Ohio doing an equal amount of individual and marital counseling. But, the most important experience I’ve had is one of great failure. In December 2012, the extra-marital affair I had in 2011 came into the light. This resulted in divorce and great pain and loss for my wife, my family, myself and many others. Through God’s love, power, grace, forgiveness, and strength I pursued my recovery hard and four years later I am fully restored with my wife and family! I have my license back and am rebuilding my private practice. Now, I have a passion to help men grow and experience freedom from whatever bondage holds them back. Along with this work with men, my wife Kathy and I work together with couples to restore and enrich broken or stuck marriages.

My training taught me to think carefully and Biblically, but my approach would best be described as “eclectic” which means I draw on many different counseling approaches. Research shows that no matter what the theoretical approach is, the single greatest factor for a successful outcome in counseling is the bond clients form with their counselor. If you connect well with your counselor and feel safe and understood, you are more likely to be vulnerable and receive help. My clients routinely report feeling a significant sense of personal and emotional connection with me which is instrumental in accomplishing their counseling goals.

My foundational belief is that Jesus Christ is the healer of broken hearts and the one who empowers transformation. He is the source of hope, strength, acceptance, forgiveness and love. As we open our hearts to him, he changes us. As we identify deep wounds, we ask him to come and heal. As we identify lies and limiting beliefs, we can surrender them. Surrender changes us. God’s truth and love changes us. Learning to meditate and hear from the Spirit changes us. Forgiveness changes us. Daring to give and receive love changes us.

While I’m able to make mental health diagnoses, I believe that we, including our problems, are complex and can’t fit into a nice diagnostic category. This complexity includes our brains, bodies, and our spiritual capacity. The cause of some issues may be physical and require medical treatment, but the focus of my approach is to help people connect more deeply with God, themselves (their thoughts, emotions, beliefs, desires, bodily conditions and actions) and other people. The heart of my counseling revolves around a Christian world-view and the truths found in the Bible, But rest assured I will not impose this on anyone who does not hold this worldview. You will be treated with respect, dignity and care no matter what your spirituality or world-view.

Besides marriage coaching with my wife, I work exclusively with men in individual counseling. So men’s issues are one of my specialties. I work w/ issues such as:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Identity
• Anger
• Improving relationships
• Developing emotional intelligence
• Growing intimacy with God

I also specialize in helping men build sexual integrity. In this area, there is a clear, multi-faceted path to healing which is critical to follow. It includes involvement in a structured recovery ministry, accountability and growing in understanding the issue. You cannot heal on your own. I will help you face the roots of why you turn to sexual sin and encourage you to find hope and healing in Jesus. I will encourage you to be real and brave so you can find freedom!

Yes, I ‘ve done marriage counseling for over 30 years. My wife also does marriage counseling if you desire counseling with a female. However what we highly recommend is marriage coaching with both of us in a couple to couple format. This offers valuable insight, wisdom and power because of the presence of both male and female working as a team. See our marriage coaching service for more information.

My office is at my residence, in a beautiful sun room that has a private entrance. You will enjoy the privacy and the serenity of the office! It is in north Columbus in the Sharon Woods neighborhood. It is close to I-270 and Cleveland Avenue. There is no waiting area for you to run into someone that you might know!

Absolutely! Better yet, you can fill out the form online and have it automatically sent to me. Or, if you prefer, you can download a PDF version of the form, fill it out, and mail it to me or bring it along at your first visit. Just go to our Intake Form page and choose which option works best for you.

This name emerges from the life of King David when Nathan, the prophet, was sent by God to expose David’s secret sexual sin and the murder he committed to cover it up. Nathan’s cry (“You are the man!”) was actually the cry of God’s heart for David to be honest about what he had done, turn back to God and be freed from his guilt and shame. This is the only pathway to personal healing and freedom and relational growth as well. Read more here.

My website has many articles, blog posts, my story and other helpful information. While it’s emphasis is sexual integrity there is much that will help any man wanting healing and transformation.