Hi, I’m Joe, a licensed marriage and family therapist and licensed clinical addictions counselor. Through individual, couple and family therapy, I help clients see how relationship issues impact their mental health.
I have been treating individuals, couples and families for 25 years. I received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Ball State University and a master’s in marriage and family therapy from Christian Theological Seminary.
My biography
I grew up in New Market, Indiana, a small farming community outside of Indianapolis. After college, I began my career in the corporate world, working for health insurance and other companies. Once I obtained my master’s degree, I worked for a community mental health center in Crawfordsville, Indiana. Then I relocated to Lafayette, Indiana, to join a group mental health practice. In 2011, I established a private practice, working in both Lafayette and West Lafayette until late 2022. Now I’m living in Cincinnati, where I treat both Indiana and Ohio clients online.
I have been married for 33 years and have two daughters, both Purdue University graduates. One is a software engineer and the other is a psychiatric nurse. Although I can no longer hear the roars of Ross Ade Stadium from my house, I still cheer on the Boilermakers from across state lines.
My philosophy
I specialize in systems-focused therapy, which views individuals within the context of their relationships and systems. Rather than focusing on just one person, systems-focused therapy sees family and group dynamics as a shared emotional landscape woven through interactions and experiences. You are part of the connected system, influencing everyone else – just as everyone else influences you.
By understanding your role within each system, you can develop better communication skills and establish healthy boundaries. That creates positive changes within yourself and your relationships.
I am especially interested in how my clients’ spiritual beliefs can aid in the healing process. To the extent that you are comfortable, I integrate spirituality into therapy, which can provide strength, meaning and support on your journey.
Most importantly, as a therapist, I seek to create a safe, non-judgmental space where you have permission to be your authentic self. I strive to offer unconditional positive regard, demonstrating acceptance and respect for your thoughts, feelings and experiences, regardless of what they are.
Continuing mental health education
My wife and I love to visit Cape Cod, where I have attended the Cape Cod Institute five times over the last decade. Surrounded by salty air and the sound of waves crashing against the shore, I have learned from some of the best in the mental health field, including Richard Schwartz, Harville Hendrix and Jonah Paquette. In 2023, I spent a week with Jonah studying how awe and wonder help to create a meaningful life, and I returned home refreshed and ready to share these insights with my clients.
