I was exposed to the importance of counseling for most my life since my mom is a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC). I also grew up attending Mt. Paran Church of God which is next door to Richmont, so it was not too surprising when I chose to study psychology at Berry College. 

During my last three years at Berry I worked as a greeter/bellman with WinShape Marriage in Rome, Georgia. While I did not directly participate in the marriage intensives, it was amazing to hear and see the testimonials of couples both before and after they came to WinShape. One couple in particular left a lasting impression on me. As I went to get the luggage from their car, I noticed this couple was arguing with such intensity that they parked in the wrong place, left their car doors open and were yelling at each other all the way up to the front desk. I checked the same two people out not a full week later and I almost did not recognize them! They were smiling! Where they once did not give a care who heard them fighting they now were able to talk to one another and even reach out and gently touch one another. I honestly have no idea what happened in their counseling sessions, but it was something sacred. While I knew they would still have “valleys” to trudge through, I could see a huge difference in the ways they were relating to one another. This was the most memorable experience of my time at WinShape and I decided that I would like to be a part of healing marriages, families and building people.

Through my undergraduate courses I began to see how limited the field of counseling can be in regards to men, particularly when considering the natural ways men communicate through side-by-side interactions. There is certainly a place and time for face-to-face conversations, but I was interested in exploring non-threatening, effective ways for men to engage in the counseling process. I knew about other forms of therapy that utilized activity such as equine therapy, art therapy, and wilderness activities and therapy, and I saw how individual and group activity-based interactions could be helpful and healing.

Pursuing my Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy, I have focused my research and thesis at Richmont on studying the effects of traditional martial arts on mindfulness and psychological well-being. Based on the current research, it appears that martial arts can be utilized as part of an intervention in counseling. Over the last 6 years (on and off) I have studied three forms of martial arts: Silat, Aikido and Taijutsu. Based on these experiences, I have learned that friendships and camaraderie are developed while participants exercise, learn something fun and interesting, build confidence, and work alongside a partner or partners. Just like any activity, martial arts therapy can help people develop community as they engage with other students; self-esteem and self-efficacy as they grow in their knowledge and skill sets; and even empathy as they learn to become aware of and care for one another while working with potentially dangerous techniques. A shared language is also established as martial arts students begin to talk about gear, classes, techniques and testing levels.

Even though I am still finishing my degree, I have a lot of dreams for the future. Maybe I will work in a rural village in Japan? Maybe I will work with male college students? Either way, I would love to help men become whole, healthy and God-fearing individuals through counseling and activities. One day, I would even enjoy developing an intervention for families in which each member engages in a martial arts practice so that the family can develop a shared language and engage appropriate physical touch by growing a place and space that is all their own. I am looking forward to working as a therapist who helps people see themselves (and others) in new and different ways and helps them to better care for and love one another.