Not quite a native of Nashville, Tennessee, Chris’ family moved to Tennessee when he was 13 years old. Early Chris planned to pursue a career in medicine and got his certification as an EMT during his senior year in high school.  After a freshman year at Vanderbilt University where he met his future wife, Lynda, Chris attended Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama and graduated with a major in Biology and a minor in Chemistry.  Chris spent a couple years applying to medical school while working for a clinical laboratory, but he was waitlisted and never accepted to Medical School.  As he has described it, “I had probably given up on that dream years before, but could not admit that, even to myself.”  The only other career Chris had ever considered was ministry and he was accepted to attend seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. 

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Chris’ parents had divorced just prior to his attending seminary, and he had begun individual psychotherapy for the first time.  After exploring an emphasis in Education and Communications, Chris finally found a focus in Pastoral Care & Counseling for his Master of Divinity.  He did a CPE internship as a hospital chaplain while in seminary and after graduating decided to do a full-year residency in hospital chaplaincy in South Carolina.  The residency turned out to be a tumultuous time of personal struggle for Chris.  An experience with a friend during this time was transformative and became an important inspiration in writing his book, “Therapeutic Friendship”. 

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Chris was separated from his wife, Lynda, for a period of time, but they were reconciled after a period of successful marriage counseling.  They have been married for over 37 years.  Chris and Lynda returned to Nashville, Tennessee.  Chris worked as a high school alcohol and drug counselor for a period of time, before beginning a residency in pastoral psychotherapy at The Pastoral Counseling Centers of Tennessee, Inc. (PCCT) in 1997.   Chris worked part-time as a hospital chaplain while completing his pastoral counseling residency and in 1999, he began working full-time as therapist at PCCT.  He remained with that organization for almost 20 years where he ultimately became the Executive Director. 

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In 2004, Chris completed a Master of Marriage & Family Therapy at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville which allowed him to complete the requirements for “Fellow” in the former American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC).  In 2007, Chris completed a certificate in clinical supervision at Louisville Presbyterian Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky and completed his certification at a “Diplomate” in AAPC. 

In 2017, Chris opened his own practice in partnership with Belle Meade United Methodist Church in Nashville.  Since that time, the practice has grown to include 5 additional therapists that work out of three different locations including St. Philips Episcopal Church in Nashville and Springfield First United Methodist Church in Springfield, Tennessee. 

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Throughout Chris’ professional career, he has been identified with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) and has served in leadership positions at both the state and national levels.  When the CBF began endorsing chaplains and pastoral counselors, Chris was the fifth person to be endorsed and since he has served several terms on the Council on Endorsement for the CBF. 

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Throughout this professional journey, Chris has been involved in several periods of psychotherapy with various therapists.  While each experience in therapy has been beneficial for growth and depth, there was no experience more meaningful than the three years that Chris spent as a patient in psychoanalysis.  This experience was 4 days per week for three years and was the most meaningful experience for working through previously unresolved personal issues.  While in therapy, Chris has maintained various friendships that have served as a place to work on new skills in connection, communication, vulnerability, and care.  Various professional supervisors during Chris’ training have also had a profound impact on his personal and professional development.