I think deep down, whatever else might be true, we’re all just trying to do our best. And I’m really passionate about helping people do their best. I'm a licensed clinical professional counselor in Kansas and a licensed professional counselor in Missouri. These mean basically the same thing, which is that I can practice counseling in both states independently. It takes several years, two degrees, thousands of supervised hours, and two national examinations to get that jumble of letters, so when you see them you can have confidence in their weight. I'm also a National Certified Counselor, which is a certification available to clinicians who meet an even higher bar than standard state licensure. I’ve been practicing for a while now in a few different contexts. I completed my undergraduate training in psychology at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri. Then I went to the University of Missouri - Kansas City in (you guessed it) Kansas City, Missouri, where I got my master of arts in counseling and guidance, with an emphasis in couples and family therapy. My time at UMKC imbued me with a passion for justice work. After grad school I spent a couple years in private practice before spending a year working in an ER, conducting mental health assessments and helping people get connected with care. After that, I worked as the Director of Counseling for a local faith community, helping people from all walks of life gain access to counseling resources. Professionally, I was one of the founding members of the LGBTQ-Affirming Therapists Guild in Kansas City and I serve on the Leadership Team of the Johnson County Suicide Prevention Coalition. Eventually, I made my way back to private practice. This setting allows me the flexibility to really dive into the transformative work of counseling with my clients. I blend a variety of approaches in my work, but I tend to gravitate toward narrative therapy, REBT and mindfulness. I come from a blended family with two older sisters and six younger brothers, which has given me a deep appreciation for how our families of origin shape the people we end up being. I’ve been married for ten years and my wife and I have a two small kids, so I’m well acquainted with the chaos of “real life.” I’ve lived, learned, and worked in the KC metro all my life. I love making things, caring for things, and learning about things. I like spending time outside, riding my bike, and cooking. You can also check out my relationships podcast Super Together at www.supertogether.org.