About Me
Hello! I’m Dan
Licensed Professional Counselor in both Colorado and Texas
I grew up all over the country as a child, but call Reno, Nevada home where I lived for 20 years. I went to the University of Nevada, Reno where I received my undergraduate degree. It was in Reno that I met my wife and got married in 2000. Due to math not being my strong suit, I openly admit to choosing that year so that I would never have to do the math on figuring out how long we have been married… After years in corporate America, I went back to school to pursue my long held desire to do counseling. This desire came from having been on my own journey in recovery and having had people along the way who patiently walked alongside me. While working towards my Masters Degree, I had the opportunity to do an internship at a sober living house for young men coming out of primary treatment. This deepened my understanding of how addiction truly is a family systems disease and that many times there are co-occuring mental health disorders that go along with the addiction.
I am also experienced in working with mood disorders such as Depression and Bipolar disorder, as well as Personality disorders such as Schizophrenia, Dissociative identity disorder, and Borderline personality disorder.
I have worked extensively with couples seeking to deepen their relationship. My post graduate training in sex therapy equipped me to compassionately enter in with couples and individuals looking to face the pain of past or current sexual trauma and abuse. I also spend much of my time in practice helping couples develop a healthy sexual relationship. I count it a true privilege to walk alongside others as they seek to grow in their intimacy to each other physically and emotionally
My Approach & Values
While I received Masters degree in counseling from a seminary, my approach is to always have the client guide how or if they would like faith to play a role in the therapy process. I am well equipped to integrate faith and counseling but have found in many cases that some people who have been spiritually abused are in need of more secular approaches while they heal. I always leave this decision up to the client. Some of the theories that I incorporate in counseling are:
- Gestalt Therapy which focuses on the here and now. We cannot change the past and do not have control of the future, so how do we take where we have been in hopes to make us stronger today and better equipped for where we hope to go.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy challenges negative thinking or behavior patterns and looks to reframe them to have a more positive outlook.
- Experiential Therapy is a therapeutic technique that uses expressive tools and activities, such as role-playing, props, arts and crafts, animal care, or various forms of recreation to re-enact and re-experience emotional situations from past and recent relationships. The client focuses on the activities and, through the experience, begins to identify emotions associated with success, disappointment, responsibility, and self-esteem.
I consider it a privilege to walk alongside those who are looking to grow. We were designed to be surrounded by community. Sharing your story with someone and then incorporating good, evidence-based treatment is the best approach to long-term healing. That being said, there is much to be said about the therapist and client relationship. The therapeutic alliance is paramount in determining how successful therapy will be. There is plenty of research to show that up to 60% of therapeutic outcomes are based on how well the client connects to the therapist. I will give the utmost attention to you and your story taking care to listen attentively. Trust is something that is earned, and I will do everything ethically possible to earn your trust so that you feel safe to share whatever is on your heart. I approach counseling and life from a laid back and relaxed perspective. If you are willing to enter into the process of counseling holding no secrets back, I truly believe that your counseling goals can be accomplished.
My Experience
- Owner and Licensed Professional Counselor at Central Colorado Counseling
- Licensed Professional Counselor at Stonebriar Community Church
- Recovery Advocate at Gaston House
- Equine facilitated therapy
My Education
- Bachelor of Arts from the University of Nevada, Reno
- Master of Arts in Counseling from Dallas Theological Seminary
- Sex therapy training from the Institute for Sexual Wholeness
- Prepare/Enrich certified
- MarriageStrong certified
We met with Dan and he is just fantastic! He’s relatable, easy-going, a good listener, and seems to be very wise and understanding. We look forward to working with him.
Individual & Marriage Counseling
I am trained and experienced in working with an array of individual and couples challenges.
Sex Therapy
We were created as sexual beings; it is an integral part of who we are. Whether someone is single, married, dating, or widowed, their sexuality is not something to be neglected.
Addiction Counseling
Any addiction is a symptom of a deeper underlying issue. For long term sobriety, one must address the underlying root causes. With time, it can be done!
Contact Me
Ask a question or book an appointment below.
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