Atwood +
Individual, Marriage, and Couple Counseling
The short of it....
I began working with individuals, couples, and families in the early 1970's, first as a Pastoral Counselor, and since 1980, as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. In fact, I have over 68,000 hours of experience working face-to-face with a lot of wonderful people. As is the case with any seasoned professional, I continue my professional development as a therapist.
CLICK HERE for a limited list of some resources that have been useful to people I've worked with.
CLICK HERE for a limited list of some resources that have been useful to people I've worked with.
Individual, Marriage, and Couple Counseling
The long of it....
"With the gift of life, each of us is given the impulse to grow,
and all growth happens in, and through, relationships."
We all live in relationships with others. Community is the fundamental context within which we are born, live, and die. Among all the relationships that are critical to the journey of life, none are more important than the relationships we call "family."
However, each of us is surrounded by critically important relationships with family members and friends, with lovers, co-workers, neighbors and partners. Relationships of all sorts fascinate me. Our relationship with God, with our "Higher Power," also fascinates me greatly. We are, all of us, kin with each other, and with our environment.
Relationships that are successful have at least three traits in common.
How I got into this field of work.
In the spring of 1973, I had taken a ten-week, full-time program in Clinical Pastoral Education at Pine Rest Christian Hospital. What I had just learned about caring for people, I brought into my first year of ministry after my ordination as a Minister in the Reformed Church in America. After my graduation and ordination, I went to what is referred to as a "new church start" in Laguna Hills, California. That short, but intense year gave me the opportunity to be a Minister of Congregational Care. For many reasons, few of which were under my control at all, that first job out of Western Theological Seminary came to an abrupt end. Today, I yet count it as one of the most important and defining years of my life.
Jan and I returned to West Michigan, and I was given the opportunity to co-found a nonprofit counseling center affiliated with Central Reformed Church in Grand Rapids. I seized the opportunity, enrolled in Calvin Theological Seminary so that I could earn a degree that would allow me to get on a track toward becoming an LMFT, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. After another master's degree, and after the required five-year apprenticeship, I was Licensed in Michigan in 1980. During those five years, I continued my education and training, earning my Doctor of Ministry degree from Western Theological Seminary. That program was self-designed, and perfect for my entrepreneurial inclinations. During the program, the focus of my education and training was Marriage and Family Therapy.
In 1980, I finished my third graduate degree and became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Master Social Worker. I also became a Clinical Member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.
The Fountain Hill Center for Counseling and Consultation, which I co-founded with Dr. Albert DeVoogd (who passed away in 1995), grew and grew until I did a succession plan on myself in 2007. After 33 years, the building was paid for, there was an endowment fund to maintain it, a dozen competent therapists were actively working there, leadership had emerged... and it was time for me to move on.
In 1988, Governor Blanchard appointed me to a term on the State Licensing Board for Marriage and Family Therapy. Governor Engler then appointed me to two more terms. During those nine years, those of us on the Board re-wrote the law governing our profession, and watched over the growth of Marriage and Family Therapy in Michigan.
68,000 hours with the most wonderful people.
That's how many hours I estimate that I have worked face-to-face with individuals, couples, families, and business leaders. That's a lot of time. In the beginning, I was "book smart and street stupid." Over the years, and after studying and learning constantly, after experiencing the struggles of thousands of people, and after growing in my own marriage, I believe I have gained a deep appreciation for how challenging it is to be in a relationship over time. Forty years of marriage has been a great training ground for wisdom!
Today, I am at the top of my game. I am a seasoned professional. I've built my career around "helping people at home and at work, to get along, and get ahead."
and all growth happens in, and through, relationships."
We all live in relationships with others. Community is the fundamental context within which we are born, live, and die. Among all the relationships that are critical to the journey of life, none are more important than the relationships we call "family."
However, each of us is surrounded by critically important relationships with family members and friends, with lovers, co-workers, neighbors and partners. Relationships of all sorts fascinate me. Our relationship with God, with our "Higher Power," also fascinates me greatly. We are, all of us, kin with each other, and with our environment.
Relationships that are successful have at least three traits in common.
- Openness. People who are open with each other do well in relationships. People who are closed, struggle and tend to be distant and withdrawn, and are unable to enjoy intimacy.
- Honor. People who make and keep commitments with care, and who honor those commitments, do well in relationships. People who are sloppy in the way they make commitments, or sloppy in how they keep commitments, end up in frustration.
- Collaboration. People who work well together experience flow and harmony, while those who don't, experience conflict.
How I got into this field of work.
In the spring of 1973, I had taken a ten-week, full-time program in Clinical Pastoral Education at Pine Rest Christian Hospital. What I had just learned about caring for people, I brought into my first year of ministry after my ordination as a Minister in the Reformed Church in America. After my graduation and ordination, I went to what is referred to as a "new church start" in Laguna Hills, California. That short, but intense year gave me the opportunity to be a Minister of Congregational Care. For many reasons, few of which were under my control at all, that first job out of Western Theological Seminary came to an abrupt end. Today, I yet count it as one of the most important and defining years of my life.
Jan and I returned to West Michigan, and I was given the opportunity to co-found a nonprofit counseling center affiliated with Central Reformed Church in Grand Rapids. I seized the opportunity, enrolled in Calvin Theological Seminary so that I could earn a degree that would allow me to get on a track toward becoming an LMFT, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. After another master's degree, and after the required five-year apprenticeship, I was Licensed in Michigan in 1980. During those five years, I continued my education and training, earning my Doctor of Ministry degree from Western Theological Seminary. That program was self-designed, and perfect for my entrepreneurial inclinations. During the program, the focus of my education and training was Marriage and Family Therapy.
In 1980, I finished my third graduate degree and became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Master Social Worker. I also became a Clinical Member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.
The Fountain Hill Center for Counseling and Consultation, which I co-founded with Dr. Albert DeVoogd (who passed away in 1995), grew and grew until I did a succession plan on myself in 2007. After 33 years, the building was paid for, there was an endowment fund to maintain it, a dozen competent therapists were actively working there, leadership had emerged... and it was time for me to move on.
In 1988, Governor Blanchard appointed me to a term on the State Licensing Board for Marriage and Family Therapy. Governor Engler then appointed me to two more terms. During those nine years, those of us on the Board re-wrote the law governing our profession, and watched over the growth of Marriage and Family Therapy in Michigan.
68,000 hours with the most wonderful people.
That's how many hours I estimate that I have worked face-to-face with individuals, couples, families, and business leaders. That's a lot of time. In the beginning, I was "book smart and street stupid." Over the years, and after studying and learning constantly, after experiencing the struggles of thousands of people, and after growing in my own marriage, I believe I have gained a deep appreciation for how challenging it is to be in a relationship over time. Forty years of marriage has been a great training ground for wisdom!
Today, I am at the top of my game. I am a seasoned professional. I've built my career around "helping people at home and at work, to get along, and get ahead."