Where did you grow up? How long have you lived in the area? Tell us about your family.
My wife, Taylor, grew up in Carrollton and I grew up in Plano. I took a lay counseling course through the church after college, and the instructor said she had a daughter around my age, but that we’d never get along since we were too much alike. Well, as I write this, we’re celebrating our 18th anniversary in Antigua as our 11-year-old daughter, Bethany, and 9-year-old son, Preston are at Grammy camp! We moved into our home here right before our daughter was born. Our kids attend Legacy Preparatory Christian Academy, which is a hike, but we love it!
Tell us about the events that led up to where you are now (i.e. education, career path).
My dad told me since I was born that I was going to be a physician, so that planted the seed, and then in middle school, I was invited to take a peer counseling course. As a resident advisor at Bowdoin College, I was the go-to drama de-escalator! I spent the next eight years at Baylor College of Medicine and have been in private practice here for the past 13 years. It’s neat to see God’s hand in it all.
What is your business and how/why did you start your business?
We help people more effectively manage stress and anxiety, turn despair into hope, heal from trauma, and get freedom from addiction to alcohol, drugs, gaming, gambling, and food. We also help improve relationships of all types and we help people walk in their true identity.
We provide (1) individual counseling for all ages, (2) couples and family counseling, (3) medication management for mental health, ages 17 and up, (4) addiction medicine treatment and (5) counseling for chemical and behavioral addictions.
What is unique about your business (what sets you apart from the rest)?
We believe true life transformation requires an integrated approach addressing the whole person, including the mind, body, and spirit. Evaluating factors from genetics, personality, relationships and lifestyle enables a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to meet the specific needs of our patients.
Having psychiatry, addiction medicine, and counseling all in-house facilitates a collaborative approach to best serve our patients and their families. Our vision is to see lives changed, relationships restored and addictions broken.
Given your business expertise and the nature of what you do, what advice (whether general or specific) can you offer to the residents?
Remember that you are not alone. None of our lives are perfect, and there’s no shame in asking for help. We all need each other. Don’t rob someone else of the joy that comes along with lending an ear or a hand. Remember that adversity makes us stronger, both individually and collectively. Remember that there is hope. Don’t give up. And remember to look for the silver lining. It’s not what happens to you, but how you respond. Instead of reacting through fear, control, or anger, respond through faith in wisdom, love, and courage.
What else should we know about you, your family, or your business?
As Taylor has been my number one cheerleader along the way, allow me to highlight her as she never would herself. She is an amazing mom and loves encouraging other moms through her nonprofit, resource-packed website GrowingKidsForTheKingdom.com She directs another nonprofit, Lighthouse Community Outreach, which serves underprivileged children in our area. She volunteers in the children’s ministry at Declaration Church, and she also helps kids as a speech pathologist, donating all proceeds to help kids in need.