alumni spotlight
CURRENT OCCUPATION Professional christian counselor for Light Counseling, Inc. in Lynchburg, Va. and a private practice in Greensboro, N.C.
I have taught both middle school and high school, and served as an athletic coach, a musician, and a pastor. I even experienced unemployment for a while. It’s been quite a journey of faith!
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? First of all, I love what I do! Oftentimes when you’re in the throes of grad school, it’s easy to wonder if it will be worth it. From the other side, let me tell you … it is! Currently, I am a Christian counselor for Light Counseling, Inc. in Lynchburg, Va. In addition to working in private practice, I teach as an adjunct professor for Mt. Olive College in North Carolina and for Liberty University Online. I also work parttime for the AACC in the professional development department. Prior to coming to Lynchburg, I was a Christian counselor near Ft. Bragg, N.C. assisting our military personnel and their families. I also served as a counselor in a church setting, an ordained minister, and a Licensed Professional Counselor.
While pastoring, I began to develop a passion for “practical theology” as a more viable way to help searching and hurting people. Noticing that people felt very at ease with me and would seek me out for advice, my wife encouraged me to focus my ministry on the counseling arena. I began to meet with premarital couples in my church…and found counseling very rewarding.
WHAT SURPRISED YOU ONCE YOU STARTED WORKING IN THE FIELD? After pouring over countless counseling textbooks in school, I was surprised at how many of my clients have had negative experiences in past counseling sessions and received little help. Through this, I’ve realized that people can usually tell if a counselor genuinely cares and is passionate about what they do, or just views their session as another appointment on the schedule. If you don’t believe in counseling, don’t expect your clients to buy into it. I was also surprised by the long process (including forms, wait times, etc.) that is involved in being accepted onto insurance panels. Patience and trust in the Lord is needed throughout the process! HOW DID YOU FIND YOUR NICHE IN TERMS OF THE CLIENTS YOU WORK WITH NOW? I have to admit, I am a late bloomer. Can anyone else relate? I have had a lot of vocational experience in multiple careers, including insurance underwriting, customer service and sales, and retail management.
I was in my 40s when I decided to complete Liberty’s M.A. in Professional Counseling program. Because I was working full time and we were raising a family of five children, Liberty’s online degree program gave me the flexibility and freedom to take my time. I crept my way through the program, taking one class at a time, but I got it done. If you are trying to balance working, raising a family, and going to school, don’t get discouraged…it’s definitely possible. Just pace yourself and celebrate each assignment and class you complete. When I started meeting with clients, I found that because of my diverse vocational experiences, I was able to relate to just about anyone. What a blessing! As an LPC and a “generalist,” I have seen several specialties emerge over the years. I counsel many couples, individuals with anxiety, depression, and addictions (especially pornography), military personnel, and sexual abuse victims. I have counseled both adults and adolescents, and really enjoy the variety that comes with being an LPC. WHAT WAS THE PROCESS LIKE FOR YOU BETWEEN GRADUATION AND LICENSURE? To be honest, it was a stressful process. I was working full time in ministry, so carving out time for counseling hours was not easy. Also, in North Carolina, I only had two years to complete my needed hours. However, my residency proved to be a huge opportunity to trust God and just stay the course one counseling hour at a time.
Philippians 4:6 really came alive for me: “Do not be anxious about anything [even counseling licensure!], but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God…” With about seven weeks to spare, I completed every single one of my 3,000 hours of supervised professional practice, and submitted my paperwork to the state board. Thanks be to God! WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR RECENT GRADUATES? The first thing I would recommend is to secure professional supervision and start job hunting as soon as possible — even before you sign up for your internship. Network with other professionals in your area and contact your state’s licensing board to get a list of potential supervisors. Also, it’s critical to work within your passion; otherwise, you are at high risk for burnout. There are many distinctions in counseling, and none of us can be effective in all of them. Try to meet with a variety of clients early on and see what areas/populations you most enjoy working with. Then, get further training in your niche areas. Finally, know what you don’t know; and be willing to keep learning. Counseling is not just a process for the client, it is a process for the counselor as well. Graduate studies provide a good foundation, but I learned that I gained the most through supervision, various continuing education (CE’s) courses, and simply by doing (and messing up sometimes, too!). A new graduate may feel like a “deer in the headlights” when they begin their residency hours, but be patient with yourself, seek out experienced counselors for support, and take advantage of CE classes that are offered in your area.
Dr. Robert B. Shaw M.A., Professional Counseling, Liberty University (2004) D.Min., Formational Counseling, Ashland Theological Seminary (2010) Dually licensed in N.C. (LPCS) and Va. (LPC), and a licensed supervisor
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