Hello, Steve here- this is our first contact, as I write to give you a sense of me as a counselor and fellow human being. I grew up as a person that people were naturally drawn to talk to and was always interested in the human experience, in all of its many facets. I found one of the top ranked counseling programs in the nation at Idaho State University and received a Master of Mental Health Counseling degree and state license in 1994. I have worked with a wide range of challenging issues that come with life throughout the age-range. My approach has always been to help people better and more fully “see” themselves, through open-minded dialogue combining support with challenge to grow- and to provide the tools with which to do so. People often lose touch with their core values and find themselves lost, questioning who they really are, and what they truly need, not just want. I combine compassion and acceptance of the person with clear encouragement to take the initial steps toward their identified goals, as many clients want to change but are afraid to, and fall short, often trying to ‘protect’ themselves from anticipated or imagined outcomes. A meaningful and fulfilling life requires the will- fearful or not- to venture toward one’s goals, without guarantees but with a belief that some risks are far outweighed by what is to be gained. Let’s team up for a while to help you move positively forward on this incredible journey- your life.