About Me

Counseling and Psychotherapy

I've been counseling professionally for more than 40 years, serving children, teens and adults. For the past 20 years I have been in private practice in Cheyenne, WY. Prior to that, I served people through mental health and family service agencies, and in churches. Those experiences have taken me to diverse parts of the country, including western Colorado, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and the Missouri Ozarks.

Up to date professional education is important. I received a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Psychology from Western State College of Colorado in 1978 and a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from Ambassador College, Pasadena, California in 1975.

Since graduation I have actively sought out the most effective methods for reducing suffering and for helping clients create a vibrant and satisfying life.

Of those newer treatment approaches my clients have found real lasting benefits from EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). I was trained by founder Francine Shapiro in 1998 and am certified by the EMDR International Association as both a clinician and a consultant to other clinicians. Additionally I guide the practicum aspect of trainings for the EMDR Institute and EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Programs. (For more on EMDR see Treatment Methods.)

I also have become a specialist in Thought Field Therapy (TFT). This is an energy psychology method where a person is able to rapidly reduce distress by simply tapping on certain acupuncture treatment points while they think about the troubling event. Training in the basic and diagnostic was completed in 2009 by the founders, Roger and Joann Callahan. I have since taught TFT to community leaders in Uganda, east Africa.

AEDP, Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy, is a powerful new method that I have been practicing for some time. By paying attention to the sensations in the body that accompany emotion, both while talking about stressful life events and while being listened to with support and empathy, clients experience rapid changes in their feelings and thoughts. These changes lead to greater self-acceptance and wisdom throughout our life experiences.

While formal education is vital I am especially indebted to the hundreds of people who have shared their stories of tragedy and triumph with me. It is from them that I have learned the most about the human spirit and our capacity to heal and grow.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Wyoming, LPC416. A more complete resume can be found here.

Personal Life

While raised in Toledo, Ohio, I came west as soon as I could. My wife Matty and I have been married now for 43 years. We have three grown children and one grandchild. I am an outdoor enthusiast, enjoying hiking and backpacking, some fishing and hunting, photography and writing on back country places and issues as a freelancer for the Wyoming Tribune Eagle. Back articles and photos can be found on our blog Away from the Grind.

We are active in our church, and spend more time than I’d like taking care of our historic Cheyenne home.