I am Steven Thomas, I am a licensed Familly and Marital Therapist, a retired Army Chaplian, have been a public school teacher and a pastor. I am a Michigan native who grew up in Oscoda when it was a military town, with Wurtsmith AFB as the largest employer. Through my journeys in pastoral positions, professional opportunities, and service in the U.S. Army, I’ve lived in many different places, which I believe has helpled me to understand different cultrures and even how it feels being a minority. Before moving back to Michigan, I spent 10 years in the Pacific Northwest after retiring from Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma, Washington.
I retired from the Army as a Chaplain and have since spent 10 years working toward becoming a fully licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. During my time in the military, I led countless marriage counseling sessions and marriage conferences. I also provided counseling for grief, family and parenting concerns, depression, and anxiety.
In therapy, I discovered a natural connection with children and families, which led me to pursue additional training in Play Therapy. This has been vital in working with children facing behavioral struggles, grief, and trauma related to abuse. I also work with adults who experience anxiety, depression, trauma, and challenges associated with disabilities—both their own and those of family members.
Before entering the Army, I worked as a teacher, in South Side Chicago, English Second Launguage in Japan, and in other States like Iowa, Kentucky and Washington. I raised two children with one having significant behavioral struggles. That experience has helped me guide parents in understanding how to communicate effectively with educators, seek accommodations or IEP support, and apply behavior modification strategies. I’ve taught all age groups—from preschool to adult—and bring that developmental knowledge into my therapeutic approach.
As a therapist, I have supported children with trauma, grief, and special education needs such as ADHD and autism, as well as adults dealing with PTSD, depression, anxiety, and parenting challenges both within and outside of military life.
I believe healing and growth occur best within the context of relationships. While I am client-centered, I value working within the family system whenever the client is willing to explore that dynamic.
Therapeutic Approaches
I draw from a range of evidence-based approaches, outlined below with brief explanations:
- Client-Centered Therapy – You are the expert on yourself. A therapist's role is to support without judgment. If God forgives and restores, therapy should reflect that same compassion.
- Solution-Focused Therapy – We build on your strengths. Rather than becoming stuck in problems, we promote positive change, which in turn minimizes space for difficulties to persist.
- Motivational Interviewing – This method respects each person’s individual process of change, focusing on their own motivations and goals.
- Narrative Therapy / Spiritual Guidance – Each person is the hero of their story. As we reflect on that journey, obstacles become opportunities for growth. Spiritually, I believe Jesus came to restore, set captives free, and equip believers for their unique ministry. This framework encourages clients to step into their purpose.
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) This trauma therapy approach started in the US Navy. The training I have received in this has helped me to work with trauma survivors.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected. By changing one, we often affect the others. Healing often involves shifts in belief, emotion, and action.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – This approach builds emotional regulation skills, encourages radical acceptance, and helps clients make intentional changes. Though some in Christian communities have misunderstood it, DBT aligns with biblical concepts, such as taking thoughts captive (Psalm 139) and trusting in God’s authority through belief (John 3:16).
- Child-Specific Applications – All approaches are used in age-appropriate ways.
- Play Therapy – This is my primary method with children. Child-centered play allows them to process and communicate through metaphor and symbolic actions, especially in cases of anger or trauma. Tools like sand trays help children express what they cannot verbalize. I also use more structured approaches when needed, especially to build emotion regulation skills.
Experience and Education
I am licensed in Marriage and Family Therapy in both Washington and Michigan, and I am pursuing a play therapy endorsement. I earned an M.A. in Psychology from Brandman University (on the Joint Base Lewis-McChord campus) in 2018 and a Master’s in Christian Education from Asbury Theological Seminary. I served in the U.S. Army as a Chaplain from 2005 to 2015. I have also held teaching licenses in several states.
Family
I am the father of two adult sons. My wife, Riza, and I have been married for 9 years. We enjoy football and hiking together. I’m also the grateful recipient of her love of cooking. We attend church regularly and are continually exploring new ways to live out our faith in this season of life.
Areas of Focus
My passion lies in helping individuals and families find restoration after trauma.
I specialize in the following areas:
- Children & Families
- Veteran Issues
- Trauma & PTSD
- Depression
- Family Conflict
- Grief
- Life Transitions
- Marital & Pre-Marital Counseling
- Men’s Issues
- Parenting
- Relationship Issues
- Self-Esteem
- Spirituality
- Suicidal Ideaation