Passionate about Adolescent Well-being

I’m a GenX, postmodern, question everything person who happens to be blessed with parents who took in orphans, prayed for food, answered their callings and sacrificed so their children knew they were loved. That mix created an irreverent soul that cares deeply for children, families and especially adolescents.

I have close to thirty years of experience working with and for children, youth and families catalyzing change at the individual, family, organizational and systems levels. With a Masters in clinical psychology, I have provided crisis management, intensive in-home therapy and wrap-around services for children with emotional and behavioral challenges. I have 20+ years’ working or volunteering with youth and young adults through youth ministry and community programs. In partnership with North Kansas City Hospital co-created the Quarky app to connect Kansas City 14-24-year-olds to articles, events and resources focused on mental health and well-being. Currently, I developed and direct the Two Tents Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for adolescents struggling with anxiety/depression and identity issues. We are building strong partnerships with our area school districts and I am an invited speaker on Anxiety, Grit and Parenting. These opportunities have made me innovative, practical and taught me to think about enhancing the whole safety net surrounding at-risk children, youth and families.

I have a wonderful wife, Kori, who founded and runs the Renew Counseling Center in Olathe, a beautiful 9-year-old little girl, Nora, twin boys (Grayson who is four and Jude who went to heaven way too early) and have recently adopted Chandler (5) and Milla (2) into our home.