Tim’s passion for helping people came about very organically…
Being child number 3 out of 10 and growing up on a beef farm, working and being helpful was part of everyday life. His parents modeled for their children what it meant to come from a humble environment, but still make a difference in people’s lives.
Unfortunately, Tim had an undetected learning disability (dyslexia) and struggled academically K-12, subsequently graduating high school illiterate. Lacking these basic skills, he bounced from job to job for two years until finally landing at Grand Valley State. They had a remediation program for students like Tim, and after several years they let him out.
Tim knows what it means to need help. Because of his struggles, disappointments, and lack of self-worth, he became an advocate for all those who feel lost, hopeless, and struggle with life. That’s why he studied Psychology, trained, and became a Hospice volunteer, a Crisis phone line helper, a member of Red Cross Disaster Relief, and a member of the Midwest Michigan Critical Incident Stress Management Team, where they debrief groups of people who have experienced emotional tragedies.
On the flip side of working in crisis mode, Tim uses his background in stand-up and improvisational comedy throughout his work. Tim knows that when people are laughing, their heart, soul, and mind are wide open for healing and change. He’s learned how to help people limit regrets, be honest, and open emotional doors, so they can spend time with their soul.
Professional Training:
- Grand Valley State University, BS Psychology
- Flippen Group: Leadership Series – Human Performance, Capturing Kids Hearts, Process Champions
- BizFutures: Leadership Training at the world famous Pike Place Fish Market, Seattle, WA
- National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine: Positive Psychology
- New England Educational Institute: Thomas Moore on Spirituality in Psychotherapy
- The Healing Power of Compassion Training, Sogyal Rinpoche
- Community Mental Health Crisis Phone Line Training
- Hospice of Michigan Training
- Red Cross Disaster Relief Training
- Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) training
- Suicide Prevention Training
- Psychodrama Training: Pine Rest Christian Hospital, Onsite Treatment Center
- Trained with Paul Sills, Founder of Second City