About

Background & Education

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and Pastoral Psychotherapist – a clinician who can also explore issues of spirituality or religion when desired. I founded CCIA in 2007 with a vision of building a collaborative therapy practice. In 2023 my practice partner and Clinical Director, Erin Wysong-Warren, MS, LPC launched the Institute for Relational Recovery.  I retired from IRR Dallas as Senior Clinical Consultant in March 2023 and continue a part-time private practice via Telehealth and in-person.

I have decades of experience working with individuals, couples, adolescents, families and people of many faiths, backgrounds, lifestyles, and experiences. I’ve worked in church, clinical and hospital settings. serving 28 years as a United Methodist minister, 21 of those as a Senior Minister. I am now a United Church of Christ (UCC) clergy (the progressive Christian denomination, not to be confused with local “Churches of Christ”) serving in this clinical setting.

A Texas native raised in Fort Worth, I attended Texas Wesleyan University and earned the Bachelor of Science degree in Education and Psychology (magna cum laude), I also hold a Master of Divinity Degree, and a Doctor of Ministry degree in Pastoral Counseling, from Texas Christian University.

While at TCU, I received 6 semesters of clinical training at the TCU Pastoral Counseling Center and also worked on the Crisis Suicide Hotline of Fort Worth. I received CPE training as a Chaplain at Texas Health Resources Harris Methodist Hospital-Fort Worth assigned to the Emergency Dept., Neuro ICU, Neo-Natal ICU, and CCU helping people in crisis. I later completed additional graduate counseling studies at the University of North Texas at Dallas and trained in their Community Counseling Clinic.

I am a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist and Certified Multiple Addiction Therapist through the International Institute of Trauma and Addiction Professionals. It was my good fortune to complete CSAT training in Chicago led by Dr. Patrick Carnes, Dr. Ken Adams, Dr. Stefanie Carnes, and Dr. Rob Weiss.

Along with behavioral health counseling, one of my gifts is public speaking. This has led to consulting, inspiring and training opportunities for corporations and various secular and religious entities. I’ve worked with the United States Army, the Lions Eye Bank, Zale Lipshy Hospital, Tarrant County College District, Dallas Metro Counseling Association, Killeen ISD, Georgetown ISD, private investment and healthcare companies, as well as city and county governments in Central and North Texas.

Personal Focus

I have personally experienced the pain of addiction, divorce, and losing a beloved spouse to suicide. It is my desire to help clients explore their path and understand where they are in their life journey. Then I help them to find the guard rails that will aid them be on a path toward a future they desire. Using tools such as an Attachment Map, EMDR and IFS to address complex developmental trauma and PTSD, I help clients understand the why and how of recovery to live a life of Serenity and authentic Connection.

Basically, I am a father of 2 young adult sons, a grandfather, brother, and occasional foster parent of canines and wayward possums. I love travel, playing piano, music and movies. I especially love any chance I have to be with my granddaughter and family.