Steve has over 40 years of experience in the field of counseling and therapy. He is a licensed marriage and family therapist and clinical social worker. He works with adults, young adults, teens, and families challenged by anxiety, depression, anger, grief and loss, perfectionism, feelings of inadequacy, issues of sexual identity and orientation, spiritual and religious quandaries, parenting and relationship challenges.
Steve takes a holistic and systemic perspective into his work. This means he sees everything connected to everything else – connections between body, mind and spirit – thoughts emotions and behavior – past, present and future, and people connected through their relationships.
While Steve brings his experience and knowledge into his sessions with clients, he works also to trust and tap into their resources and wisdom. Depending on the issues being addressed and what is needed, the focus in a session may be on practical problem-solving, emotional support, or processing significant experiences. When needed or wanted, the work may also be more in-depth; to help clients understanding their beliefs, emotions, and behavior patterns including their origins. These forces are often hidden from consciousness, and can be the source of so much discouragement and unhappiness. Bringing these dynamics to light enables clients to begin the process of shifting to a more valid and encouraging view of self and others, more effective behavior patterns, and new possibilities in life.
For the past ten years Steve has received training in and has practiced the evidence-based and trauma-focused treatment models of EMDR and Lifespan Integration. He has witnessed remarkable results with these models and applies them in his work with clients.
In 2019 Steve retired as Director of the Student Counseling Center at Seattle Pacific University (SPU), and from full-time practice. Prior to his work at SPU, Steve was Clinical Director at Youth Eastside Services, and the Director of Counseling Programs at North County Lifeline in North San Diego County. In addition to his current work at CoHear/BCS, he continues with SPU as an Adjunct Professor in Marriage and Family Therapy, and has been added to the Couple and Family Therapy adjunct faculty at Seattle University .
Steve’s life outside of his profession is full. He and his wife, Debbie, married over fifty years, love the Pacific Northwest and never tire of traveling around the area, as well as to other states, Canada, and hopefully to more countries in Europe . Their two adult sons live close by with their families. They have four grandsons ranging in age from 1 to 13 years old. They have always loved having regular childcare responsibilities and the frequent times all three generations gather together. Steve loves music and playing the guitar. His grandsons all play an instrument and the family band is simply named “Maybell”.
