COUNSELING

Life Experiences:

While working as a general contractor building log homes in Colorado I realized that crafting a finished products from raw materials suited me well. Those mornings when the saws were buzzing and tools were humming lead to afternoons of fulfilment and accomplishment when looking at what had been completed. When compared to the years spent in full time Youth Ministry you would think that it was different.  During the years I spent working with teens as they struggled to understand themselves and the world around them all while also growing as Christians I realize that the only difference was the raw materials I was working with. The feeling of accomplishment in helping ground a teenager while in a personal storm was no different from the feelings when finished with bucking a window or finishing a subfloor.

Now I try to combine the two worlds in a new approach to therapy. When working with most clients I like to try to incorporate things that spur on creativity while delving into issues each client is facing. From small woodworking projects, to building a crossbow with office supplies, I have found that activity allows for unique connections. While engaging in these activities it seems less invasive to ask and find the answers too many questions. This allows me to focus on my client’s needs, while allowing them to focus on activities.

From tying flies to solving puzzles; challenges and creative activity increases our intellect while spurring problem solving. Males tend to be action oriented. When forced to sit and just talk, males tend to be less likely to be engaged and more prone to close down. In therapy the opposite is needed to make any progress. I am attempting to turn the therapeutic table on males in getting them doing, while getting them to be open.