Clinical Specialties2

Intimate Relationship Problems

Many of my clients seek therapy to help resolve a volatile situation or recurring negative pattern in their dating relationship or marriage. Relationship problems are a normal part of every relationship, yet most couples need help at some time or another to resolve the issue, to continue growing together, and rediscover mutual love, trust, and admiration. They find that working with the problem in a structured, therapeutic environment can open up new possibilities for resolution.

Sexual Addiction Recovery

Whether the issue is “just pornography” or some other out-of-control sexual behavior, recovery begins when you recognize you need help. Yet many individuals struggling to stop or contain their sexual addiction have grown to believe they are beyond repair or help. It is true that overcoming sexual addiction is all but impossible without treatment and recovery work. Yet you are not alone, this issue is growing here in West Michigan and the statistics of people affected are staggering. But with my expertise and training, we can together find a way out of the addiction and restore your life and relationships.

Adolescent and Family Issues

Many adolescents and their families come in looking for support in parenting, evaluation for their son or daughter, or help working through challenging family situations. Often parents bring in their adolescent after experiencing some alarming changes in behavior or when they feel stuck not knowing how to best support their son or daughter. My goal is to support parents and caregivers in doing their best to care for and equip their children to thrive – in their particular environment given their particular strengths and challenges.

Stress, frustration, anxiety, depression, and other unsatisfactory emotions

Many of my clients experience a general dissatisfaction with life rooted in their day-to-day living, rather than in a specific crisis. I have discovered that proactively working with these feelings in therapy helps my clients deal with them before they have the opportunity to manifest themselves in a specific problem.

Cross-cultural  environments and relationships

Being a Spanish speaker who has lived abroad, I have some sensitivity to the conflicts that can arise from cultural issues here in America. This has helped me work successfully with clients struggling with cultural identity, third-culture issues, intercultural relationships, generational conflict, and race-based workplace issues.

Men’s issues

While I work closely with both men and women, I also specialize in helping men who struggle with a variety of issues, including relating to other men; understanding and honoring both the “masculine” and the emotional sides of a man; working through sexual addictions and substance abuse; moving toward sexual wholeness; and trying to juggle the demands and expectations many men feel are placed upon their lives.

Ministers, missionaries, and their families

My training and time in the community at Fuller theological seminary, along with my personal background in church ministry, deeply inform my work with ministry workers and their family members. I understand first-hand the unique challenges that families in ministry face, and the demanding roles they are expected to fulfill.