Carl’s Credentials

“Okay, Carl,” you declare, “I’ve read enough that I’m interested in working with you. But I need to know you’ve got the credentials it takes to help me out.“
I do. And on this page I’ll tell you all about it.

First, my certifications and licenses, of which there are a handful hanging on my office wall; then my graduate training and degrees:

NCC (National Certified Counselor)

This national certification means, first, that I completed graduate school from a fully-accredited university (I have - from the University of Northern Colorado). It also means that I’ve taken and passed the national board exam (which I did with a make-mom-proud score of 92%). In addition, it means I’ve kept up with current trends in counseling by completing 100 CEs in the past 5 years (yep, I’ve done that as well).

LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor)

This is a state level license. To earn this title in Colorado, here ’s what I did - earned a graduate degree in counseling (which I earned from the University of Northern Colorado), passed the national board exam (which I did, with that making-mom-proud 92% I mentioned earlier), and completed 2000 supervised hours (I have over 5000!).

CIP (Certified Integrative Psychotherapist)

Now this is an interesting one - and none-too-common here in the United States, although more common in Europe.

First, here’s what I did to get this certification. I had to complete a post-graduate, multi-year training program with a certified integrative psychotherapy trainer and supervisor. Next, I travelled to Europe to complete a day-long oral exam where my skill and knowledge was carefully examined. It was a long, hard process, but I’m a better therapist for it.

So, why’d I do it? First, I found a school of therapy I loved and I wanted to get excellent training in the form of therapy I fell in love with. Second, I feel this completed a gap that in the US system of training - the US system is good at making you book-smart, but not so good at teaching you how to be excellent in the office with your client. This training is all about how to be good, very good, in the therapy room. I’m really glad I did it.

There’s an additional link on this website called Integrative Psychotherapy - click here and I’ll tell you more about it.

CAESP (Certification In Advanced Ethics Studies In Psychotherapy)

I’ve also completed Dr. Zur’s extensive training program in advanced ethics in psychotherapy, and I’ve received certification as an advanced ethical psychotherapist. I trained here because I wanted to ensure, and wanted my clients to feel sure, that when working with me, they’d find a therapist adhering to the highest ethical standards in the profession.

Graduate School & Advanced Degrees - in Counseling

I received a Master’s degree in community counseling from the University of Northern Colorado. This is a two-year training program that’s heavy in course work and also includes a practicuum where you’re video-taped in session and given feedback as well as a 600-hour internship where you work in a clinical setting. I’ve also received a doctorate degree in counseling from a non-accredited school, but I’ll focus here only on my degrees from fully-accredited programs.

Other Graduate School & Being a University Professor

It’s important you know a bit about my past. A long time ago (it feels like a long, long time ago), in a galaxy far, far away (okay, not really, but it feels that way), I earned a Ph.D. from McGill University (Canada’s toughest academic institution, and a top-20 university internationally). That Ph.D. was in telecommunications. I went on to teach at McGill University and moved over to Colorado State University (CSU) in Fort Collins, Colorado. I stayed at CSU long enough to earn tenure and become a tenured professor - a six-year journey. And then I moved on - to a life I love - my life as a counselor.

Author & Presentor

I enjoy words and I love stories, so perhaps it ’s no surprise In addition to writing

I’ve written books chapters, and I've written some articles.

In the field of counseling, I’ve written one book: The Spirit of Joy. I’m touched that this book has impacted the lives of many folks, and while it was published some time ago (in 2000), I’m pleased that its ideas are still so very contemporary.
I’ve written a book chapter: Under The Benevolent Influence of a Water Deity for the book Pulse of the River: Colorado Writers Speak for the Endangered Cache La Poudre. It’s a sweet book whose proceeds go to help save our endangered river.
I’ve written some articles, the most recent of which is Integrative Psychotherapy: A Three Course Meal, published by the Colorado Counseling Association. It’s a short and sweet descriptor of the school of therapy I learned so much from.
In addition to writing, I also enjoy speaking. I’ve presented some of my writings, most recently presenting writings on Eco-Psychology at the Colorado Counseling Association’s annual conference.