·  What led you to the counseling field?

I was first going to be a band director as a Tuba Major at North Texas State University.  I then became interested in doing youth ministry for my church and took a degree in Youth Ministry at Lubbock Christina College.  I found it intimidating working with parent much older than myself with their kids only 6 years younger than I.  I commuted to East Texas State and took my master’s degree in guidance and counseling it was heavily influenced by two merging family therapists who were just starting their career in teaching.  I took a couple of graduate courses in Family therapy at the Houston campus of Texas Woman’s University. After getting fired from a Houston church because of dwindling membership due to the oil bust, I returned with my family to Denton. Not finding a church suitable to my experience, I decided to go for my PhD in merging family therapy from Texas Woman’s university, where I met the likes of Linda Metcalf and Terry Hargrave

 

·  What do you wish you knew when you were first starting out?

I wish I had discovered systemic family therapy earlier in my life. I wish I had done more personal therapy including family of origin work to understand more about how I view the world. I read a lot and wish I had read a lot more. I wish I had understood at a deeper level that learning to be a therapist is a lifelong endeavor and should not happen instantly.

​

·  Tell us something unexpected about you.

Most of you know I enjoy playing poker. I am listed as the 117,119th ranked all time tournament money winner in the world. 

 

·  Favorite places/things to do outside the counseling world.

I mentioned I do like to play poker. I enjoy reading detective and spy novels in the genre of Michael Connelly, David Baldacci and Vince Flynn. I look forward to family vacations in Colorado with the amazing grandchildren.

​

·  What is your favorite course to teach and why.

Probably my favorite course to teach is Family of Origin. I think it is very important for counselors and therapists to understand where they came from and what has influenced the way that they think. I also enjoy teaching Pre-practicum and Practicum just so I can be able to say “You suck as a therapist” and unleash my multiple “Bishopisms” upon our amazing students.