What did you do after Valley? Where did your life take you? 

I completed and graduated from Arizona State University with my Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Business Marketing during 2011. I completed and obtained my Master of Arts (M.A.) in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University during 2017. I completed and obtained my Doctor of Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology during 2020. In order to successfully graduate with my doctoral degree, I joined the United States Air Force where I completed my Clinical Psychology Pre-Doctoral Internship/Residency at the Malcom Grow Medical Clinics and Surgery Center at Joint Base Andrews in the National Capital Region during 2020. I was then assigned to the Mental Health Clinic at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam where I have had the opportunity to work as a psychologist and provide psychological services to Active-Duty service members. I also pursued and became fully licensed to practice as a clinical psychologist during 2021. I will be stationed in Gaum until September 2023. My current rank is Captain, but I am also a Major Select. Furthermore, in the midst of this journey, I married my partner during 2018. However, we have been in a relationship for nearly a decade. Time flies!

Tell us a little about your daily work:

I provide psychological services to Active-Duty service members from all military branches. Specifically, these services are consistent with psychotherapy, psychoeducation, psychological testing/assessment, and advocacy support. I am also currently serving as the Family Advocacy Officer, which entails the oversight of the Family Advocacy Program that is utilized as a service that seeks to offer preventative services (e.g., marital counseling, family counseling) to Active-Duty personnel and their family members/relational partners. The Family Advocacy Program also seeks to address domestic violence, abuse, and neglect within family/marital/partner units.

What’s one surprising thing we don’t know about you?

Between graduating from Arizona State University in 2011 and beginning the pursuit of my Master of Arts (M.A.) in Clinical Psychology during 2014, I was working towards completing a master’s degree in Divinity at Phoenix Seminary. However, in order to pay the bills and the tuition costs out of pocket without taking any loans, I worked as a nutrition counselor by day and as a nightclub bouncer in Old Town Scottsdale by night.

While you were at VCS, which teachers, coaches or classmates had the biggest impact on you?

Mr. Kuiper, Mr. Schanaker, Mr. Streeter, Ms. Templeton, Ms. Staten-Watson, Mr. Cleckner, Mr. Sloterbeek, and Mr. Strickler. One commonality that these staff members demonstrated was a consistent willingness to go above and beyond by ensuring my success in not only completing the courses, but also successfully mastering the content and understanding regarding the concepts taught during these courses. I would highly recommend these staff members any day!

How do you stay connected with your friends from Valley and VCS?

I typically utilize Facebook Messenger to maintain contact with friends and certain faculty members from Valley.

What’s one lasting memory you have of VCS?

I really enjoyed performing the Lip Sync production of Blitzkrieg Bop by The Ramones! Thank you, Ms. Templeton! I also enjoyed the senior trip. Specifically, I remember when the ladies’ raft flipped upside down while White Water River Rafting in Colorado. I also remember that while on the way to Colorado, the bus broke down on the side of the road. As a result, members of the Navajo Nation allowed the senior class to visit and tour the Nation! What an incredible and rare cultural experience; grateful that the bus broke down!

Do you have any advice for current students?

Never be afraid to ask for help or offer your help to others! Anxiety, depression, trauma, etc. is real. Suicidality is real. If you are experiencing any of these things, please do not hesitate to reach out to someone you trust in order to get help. Psychological ailments are just as important as physical ailments. For example, if you experience a painful infection, commonsense dictates that medical intervention is warranted in order to prevent that infection from becoming exacerbated and/or resulting in a life-threatening condition. The same principle applies to psychological ailments. It is never too late to save your life and/or prevent anything from interfering with your ability to live your life!

Anything else you want us to know?

If any students are interested in learning more about the military/United States Air Force, psychology, mental health, healthy relationships, and/or leadership, they are more than welcome to reach out to me anytime! I always welcome correspondence and am willing to provide mentorship