I received my medical training at the University of Michigan and my psychiatry and neurology training at the Lafayette Clinic/Wayne State University in Detroit. I have been Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, 1979, and I have practiced in several settings. These include Pine Rest Christian Hospital/Mental Health Services, Hope Network of West Michigan, Psychology Associates of Grand Rapids, and the Veterans Administration in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
I have also studied some conservative Christian theology at the Grand Rapids Baptist College/Seminary (now Cornerstone University). I have learned as well from the works of Dr.’s Larry Crabb, Frank Minirth, Gary Chapman, Henry Cloud and John Townsend, among others. My theological consultations for my work have come largely from Barackman’s Practical Christian Theology (2001), and Rev. James Jeffery of our Chapel Pointe Church.
I have been challenged by the sexual beliefs, practices and life struggles of our youth, including many in our churches. Now I have felt called to this writing to protect them and bring reality-truth, spiritual growth, healing and blessings into their Christian lives.
Sex, Like Fire is a book and program primarily for youth in our homes and churches. Ouryoung especially are bombarded and confused with secular beliefs and practices in our increasingly immoral culture. It is written in an interactive youth-friendly dialog format. It is an excellent tool for parent-teen talks, and teen small group education.
I am a physician-psychiatrist and a follower of Christ. I practiced Christian psychiatry for 42 years in West Michigan and Fort Wayne, Indiana. I was privileged to successfully treat many young people, elderly, and every age in between, including pre-teens, developmentally disabled folks, the elderly, military veterans with PTSD, and patients with severe dissociative disorders.