I am an anamcara, a Gaelic word meaning soul friend. Literally trained in this Celtic form of spiritual counseling, I have learned how to come alongside someone who is emotionally and psychologically suffering. I do not provide answers as much provide a "place" or "experience" which helps tease out that which is going on in the depths of one's being, one's spirit. Through bringing understanding and discovery about one's spiritual journey, whether in the context of a formal faith journey, more general spiritual journey, or neither, healing happens. This focus on one's spiritual side reveals a path to healing and peace which is surprising. I have "done my own work" through my 10 years of almost fatal cancer (that is now cured) and have been trained by world experts in spiritual counseling which has led to many describing my style as calm and peacegiving.
Don has experience as a spiritual counselor in hospice work and a pastoral counselor as an ordained minister, for over 20 years. Also, he was a director of a mediation service so has extensive conflict resolution experience in small and large disputes. Earlier, he practiced law as a licensed attorney in California for the federal and state governments, and private law firms. Additionally he worked in politics as a legislative assistant.
He suffered from terminal non-Hodgkins lymphoma for a decade, which included a bone marrow transplant, but has had no recurrence for 15 years.
He has a family with his wife, several adult children and a dozen grandchildren.
Don graduated from Stanford University, Fuller Seminary, and Hastings College of Law. He has served as a hospice spiritual counselor/chaplain for 13 years. He is an ordained Presbyterian minister. Also, he was certified as a spiritual director at the Sacred Art of Living Center in Bend, Oregon, a spiritual education institute for whole-person caregiving where he also was certified as an Anamcara Apprentice in spiritual counseling, along with Enneagram training and grief work. He has studied the works of Richard Rohr about finding meaning and authenticity in psychologically dying. He is certified as a counselor in emotional healing from the Christian Renewal Association and studied Soul Injury with Deborah Grassman of Opus Peace, specializing in work with trauma injury in veterans.
He is listed as a Pastoral Counselor in Psychology Today.
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