Dr. R.A Cornelius, M. DIV, Ph.D, LMFT
In 1972 I left the active life of a Baptist Minister to begin a focus on a part of my twenty-six years as a pastoral counselor. I founded the not for profit agency of Casa Grande Counseling Service with the help of a supportive Board of Directors. I have earned graduate degrees in Pastoral Ministries, Theology, and Counseling from Central Baptist Theological Seminary, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, University of Arizona, and the California Graduate School of Theology (B.A, M.RE., M.DIV., M.ED., PH.D) My license with the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners is as a Marriage and Family Therapist.
In 1965 I became a law enforcement chaplain and served five years in Shawnee, Kansas, and twenty-one years with the Arizona Division of Federal Bureau of Investigation as a volunteer. The main part of my chaplain service has been since 1974 when I was appointed by the Casa Grande Police Department where I still serve as a part time employee. This led to a strong interest in Crisis Intervention and Critical Incident Stress Management with advanced certification in that field.
My professional organizations include the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and The International Conference of Police Chaplains. I have served in executive positions and remain active in both organizations.
My counseling philosophy includes the belief that every person has the ability to resolve personal and interpersonal problems in the family, community, and with God. My role is to act as a coach who introduces ways of discovering the basis of the person's pain, ways of enhancing relationships, and learning to make the choices that can help them rebuild their lives. I believe this can best be done with the dedication of the couple or family working together in healing those relationships. Since I do not always have the privilege of dealing with the family together I also work with individuals recognizing the importance of the disappointments in their lives. I want to be sensitive to their pain, and the faulty thinking that has led to destructive behavior. The goal is to help them identify the choices that can lead to better relationships, and to find new ways of dealing with their problems. As a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist I have a strong systems orientation. Brief counseling made possible through Managed Care programs often requires the mindset of the Critical Incident professional. This includes 1) defusing the situation, 2) presenting some tools for dealing the problem, 3) providing support and encouragement, and 4) guiding those involved in using those new patterns of thinking, and modifying the behaviors that are destructive.
In 1965 I became a law enforcement chaplain and served five years in Shawnee, Kansas, and twenty-one years with the Arizona Division of Federal Bureau of Investigation as a volunteer. The main part of my chaplain service has been since 1974 when I was appointed by the Casa Grande Police Department where I still serve as a part time employee. This led to a strong interest in Crisis Intervention and Critical Incident Stress Management with advanced certification in that field.
My professional organizations include the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and The International Conference of Police Chaplains. I have served in executive positions and remain active in both organizations.
My counseling philosophy includes the belief that every person has the ability to resolve personal and interpersonal problems in the family, community, and with God. My role is to act as a coach who introduces ways of discovering the basis of the person's pain, ways of enhancing relationships, and learning to make the choices that can help them rebuild their lives. I believe this can best be done with the dedication of the couple or family working together in healing those relationships. Since I do not always have the privilege of dealing with the family together I also work with individuals recognizing the importance of the disappointments in their lives. I want to be sensitive to their pain, and the faulty thinking that has led to destructive behavior. The goal is to help them identify the choices that can lead to better relationships, and to find new ways of dealing with their problems. As a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist I have a strong systems orientation. Brief counseling made possible through Managed Care programs often requires the mindset of the Critical Incident professional. This includes 1) defusing the situation, 2) presenting some tools for dealing the problem, 3) providing support and encouragement, and 4) guiding those involved in using those new patterns of thinking, and modifying the behaviors that are destructive.
