Mended futures for every family.
Long before I became a licensed professional counselor (LPC), I was working with my hands—literally. I spent 11 years in the heating and air conditioning industry, fixing broken systems and helping people feel comfortable in their homes. It was honest, practical work, but what fascinated me most was the inside look I got into people’s lives. Walking into someone’s home to repair their HVAC system gave me a front-row seat to the way families interacted, and I quickly realized how much relationships impact every aspect of life.
Even before that, I had an inkling that I was meant to help people. In college, I noticed that friends would naturally gravitate toward me when they needed advice or someone to listen. I didn’t know exactly what to do with that gift at the time, so when a family friend suggested I try my hand at HVAC work, I took the opportunity. But the pull to work with people—really work with them, beyond fixing their heating systems—never went away.
My wife, Alexandra, played a huge role in my journey. She has always had a heart for helping couples thrive, and together we began mentoring and supporting couples in our church and community. She saw something in me that I hadn’t yet fully recognized—that I had a calling to counsel and educate people about relationships. Eventually, that calling became impossible to ignore.
I enrolled at Liberty University and earned my degrees in counseling, shifting my focus from repairing machines to repairing relationships. And let me tell you—there’s a surprising amount of overlap. Both fields require patience, problem-solving, and the ability to identify underlying issues that might not be immediately obvious. More importantly, both involve restoration—taking something broken and helping it function the way it was meant to.
Throughout my education, I focused on understanding how relationships develop, why they sometimes break down, and how they can be strengthened. I studied attachment theory, conflict resolution strategies, and the impact of childhood experiences on adult relationships. With every class and clinical experience, my passion for this work grew stronger.
At FIVE18 Counseling, I oversee our Marriage and Relationship Education program, working with couples at every stage—whether they’re dating, engaged, married, or co-parenting after separation. I also work with youth, helping them understand the importance of healthy relationships long before they enter into serious commitments.
Why does this matter? Because strong families start with strong relationships. Research—including Harvard’s 80-year longitudinal study on happiness—consistently shows that the quality of our relationships directly impacts our well-being. Unfortunately, many people enter adulthood without ever learning the skills needed to maintain a healthy relationship. That’s where we come in.
Our team provides everything from premarital counseling to ongoing marriage checkups, helping couples navigate the inevitable challenges that come with lifelong commitment. And for those in crisis, we intervene, offering guidance and support to help them rebuild trust and stability. We also offer co-parenting counseling for parents who are no longer together but want to provide a stable environment for their children.
Additionally, we provide educational workshops that focus on topics like effective communication, financial management in marriage, and intimacy in long-term relationships. These workshops help couples build the foundational skills needed to thrive together.
People sometimes ask me, “How does marriage and relationship education fit into a child welfare organization like FIVE18 Family Services?” The answer is simple: Family stability is the foundation of a child’s well-being. Many cases where children enter the foster care system stem from relational breakdowns in the home. By strengthening marriages and family relationships, we’re not just helping couples—we’re preventing crises that affect children.
In my work, I frequently receive referrals from social services, the court system, and even divorce attorneys. Some couples come to me when they’re on the brink of separation, desperate for a last chance to save their marriage. Others come in seeking guidance on how to co-parent effectively after divorce. And then there are those who are simply looking for a “checkup,” knowing that investing in their relationship before problems arise is one of the best things they can do.
When parents have healthy relationships—whether they are together or apart—their children benefit. They experience more emotional security, better academic performance, and healthier relationships of their own as they grow.
At FIVE18, we believe in moving upstream—getting to the root of issues before they become full-blown crises. That’s why we’re passionate about educating young people about relationships long before they get serious. Through partnerships with schools and community organizations, we help teens understand that the choices they make today—how they communicate, how they resolve conflict, how they set boundaries—will shape their future relationships.
One of my favorite things to teach is what I call “relationship filtering.” We talk about the importance of friendship as the foundation for any romantic relationship and how having a strong community around you can help you avoid unhealthy partnerships. I also love introducing the concept of “relationship checkups”—normalizing the idea that couples shouldn’t wait until they’re in crisis to seek support. Just like you go to the doctor for regular health checkups, your relationship needs attention and care over time.
Another vital aspect of our education program is helping individuals identify red flags in relationships. We teach about emotional abuse, manipulation, and control dynamics, giving people the tools they need to protect themselves from unhealthy relationships before they become deeply involved.
Looking back on my journey, I see a story of redemption and growth—not just for me, but for the many couples and families I’ve had the privilege to walk alongside. I’ve seen relationships restored, families reunited, and individuals find healing. It’s a beautiful reminder that no matter how broken a situation may seem, there is always hope.
If you’re reading this and wondering how to strengthen your own relationship—or if you know someone who could benefit from support—I encourage you to take the first step. At FIVE18 Counseling, we’re here to walk with you, offering resources, counseling, and education designed to help you build strong, lasting relationships.
To learn more about our services, visit 518.org and explore our Marriage and Relationship Education offerings. Whether you’re looking for premarital counseling, a marriage checkup, or guidance in co-parenting, we’re here to help.
Healthy relationships change lives. They change families. And ultimately, they change the future.
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