He has degrees from Auburn University (BA, psychology), Reformed Theological Seminary (MA marriage and family therapy), and Louisiana Tech University (PhD, counseling psychology). He completed a doctoral internship in professional psychology at the University of Tennessee and has experience in residential substance use treatment and outpatient clinics. He also holds an academic position as a faculty member at Louisiana Tech University where he teaches in the doctoral program in counseling psychology and has research interests in trauma, substance use and positive psychology.