Hello and Welcome! I’m Tim – a 53 year-old, married, father of two, adventurer, explorer, and overall lover of the outdoors and most critters (excluding skunks, woodticks, mosquitos… those kind of things) :-) I have always worked with helping and serving people in one way, shape or form, but I also want you to know that many others have helped me. Back in the 1990’s, when I was going through a particularly difficult time, a therapist helped me immensely, and I distinctly remember telling myself: “If I ever go back to college, it will be for some kind of psychology degree – so I can help others the way my therapist helped me… that must be so, so satisfying.” Fast forward to my mid-forties, when it became necessary to “re-invent myself” – so I did, with an LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) degree from St. Cloud State in Minnesota. I have practiced for the past 8 years in a multiple office agency serving all ages, and tackling just about any problem anyone could throw at me. The issues that seem to come up “all the time” are typically related to relationship conflict, all the various forms of anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, grief/loss, and PTSD/trauma – so these are the areas where I have the most experience. In the same breath, I want to tell you that I have also worked for several years in an inpatient substance abuse treatment center for men, where I feel I have seen and worked with just about everything (nothing surprises me). The point is that no matter what your issue is, you will be met with someone who has a broad level of experience in knowing how to tackle and overcome these issues. Past clients have often told me that I am easy to talk to, and they feel comfortable with me. That’s because I really enjoy people, and I’m down to earth. I’m not the type of therapist who is aloof or superior. I honestly feel that you and I are on an “even playing field.” You have your strengths and weaknesses, and I have mine. There will never be any judgment, criticism, or condemnation coming from me. I’m just eager to hear the details and the truth about your life, and understand your unique individual story – so that I can help you help yourself get to feeling better as soon as possible. I love humor, and I know when it’s appropriate to use, and when it’s not, in the therapeutic environment. 54 years is a fair bit of life experience, and I have packed a lot into those years. Clients also tell me that they “can relate to me” easily. That’s because, when it’s appropriate for an intervention, I tend to be a therapist who self-discloses at times, and that’s because I want to normalize what you are going through, let you know that I have experienced this too, and most importantly, that I have found the way to victory and success over this particular obstacle or issue. Many therapists are fearful of self-disclosing; I find that if I am willing to risk it, it causes my clients and I to connect in a deeper way, and therefore, they feel they can trust me. I could tell you all the theories I use and draw from – but the average person seeking therapy aren’t necessarily familiar with them anyway (I know I wasn’t before my formal training) – so just know that I have lots and lots of training to draw from in my “bag of tricks”. If you are so incredibly unique that I have no idea how to help you, I promise that I will admit it, and promptly go to the work of finding someone who can – for I also have several years of experience in assessing men in short term treatment, and plugging them into the appropriate channels and resources – so that they could get the help they needed. You? You’re hurting in some way, and you’re smart enough to recognize your feelings, admit that you need help, and have reached out. Congratulations – those are important steps, and you are well on way! I L.O.V.E. working with people who are highly motivated to get better. I look forward to coming alongside of you – to offer the guidance it takes to find victory over the pain, and get you as close as we can to operating at your full God-given potential. My best, Tim