Hi, I’m Phil Drake
Since you are checking out our site, it's likely you are considering counseling help for yourself (or someone close to you). A number of years ago I was in a similar place. At the time, I was living a pretty "successful" life, but began to realize I did not have the relationship with my wife and children that I wanted. I sought some help from a Christian counselor and was able to begin a journey of understanding (insight) and healing. This journey has continued as the layers of who I am as a person have become more evident to me. My desire is to remain on that journey for the rest of my life. I want to keep changing and growing as long as I can – discovering more of who I am and actually become more of who God created me to be.
Beyond my own personal journey of growth, what has equipped me for walking with you on your journey? I have a Master's degree in Professional Counseling with emphases on both Sex Therapy and Christian Spirituality from Richmont Graduate University (formerly PSI). Prior to attending Richmont I had a gratifying career in the corporate world and had both bachelors and master's degrees from GA Tech. While receiving my masters in counseling I interned with Dr. Douglas Rosenau, a well-known Christian sex therapist and author of a number of other books including A Celebration of Sex. I've also co-led a number of men's sexual addiction recovery groups with Dr. Rosenau.
My Approach
The particular focus of therapy that I am most passionate about helping others with is the area of relationships (I've adapted a term, “relationality”, which describes my overall thoughts on relationships). Relationality is a concept that seeks to link commonalities across the various types of relationships that we all experience and participate in. Relationships may be viewed in multiple dimensions but tend to group in categories of (1) with God, (2) with self and (3) with others. For example, how we believe God views us significantly impacts how we view ourselves and how we believe others view us.
RELATIONALITY
Specific areas underneath the overall “relationality” concept include marital therapy (including pre-engagement, pre-marital and post-marital counseling), sexual wholeness and addiction, men's issues, intimacy (emotional, physical and spiritual), relational communication and blended families (including parenting skills).
healing and hope
My calling and my joy is to walk with individuals and couples to identify the true source of their relational pain and journey with them on a path of growth and healing. And I look forward to being a part of your journey toward growth and healing.