I'm Jake.
I started Daring Ventures to share with others what I had found in my own journey. My passion is to see people free and flourishing.
My own story has culminated, at least to this point, in the creation of a counseling practice with a laser-like focus on offering clinical excellence with authentic care. I have been on the other side of the therapy office, many times. I know the relief and hope that can be experienced when you find a place that is safe to be known, to yourself and to others.
I did not found Daring Ventures to be just another counseling practice, coaching organization, or consultation service. I have sought to bring together an interdisciplinary team of experts with diverse backgrounds and training united by a common passion. The Daring Ventures team is a living, breathing, growing embodiment of our vision, mission, and values. We take seriously our convictions regarding the inherent worth of every person, the hope that healing is possible, and the gravity of the work we’re entrusted to do.
We are convinced that total commitment to both the very best in clinical excellence and authentic compassionate care are one and the same goal.
Humans are fearfully and wonderfully made — complex, mysterious, beautiful — and we are passionate about helping people heal, change, grow, and flourish. We innovate. We create. We seek answers. We celebrate. We offer honesty, kindness, and safety.
Daring Ventures is built on a foundational belief that we are created for connection, and in this connection we reach our full potential. This truth is confirmed in psychology, neuroscience, spirituality, and our lived experiences. We are a safe place to begin to choose connection and discover the joy of knowing and being known. It would be our honor to walk with you on your journey.
In the therapy office
"I am fascinated by the powerful, mysterious, awesome experience of being human. We are fearfully, wonderfully complex beings — packaged with such potential and vulnerability. And though that reality can be the source of excruciating pain and heartache, it is also what makes possible the most meaningful moments of connection, beauty, and purpose. It feel like pure gift that I get a front row seat to watching people's life stories unfold."
I love the work I do. My mom was a public school teacher for 34 years, and my dad started and ran several businesses throughout his life. I can step back now and see how starting a therapy and coaching practice where I help people learn a new way to live comes straight from my own experience of watching my parents serve others through their vocations.
I was a pastor for 13 years before entering into this work full time. I have carried a shepherd's heart with me into the counseling world; I care deeply about my clients and their wellbeing and happiness. I have a special passion to work with couples who are stuck, who are trying to climb their way out of a deep hole — whether that's a pit of trauma, addiction, betrayal, or any other manner of wounding — to live in the light once again, or maybe for the very first time.
My styles of psychotherapy and coaching are an outgrowth of my training, my personality, and my own experience. I have extensive training in models of therapy based in attachment theory and interpersonal neurobiology, but also in peak performance psychology and leadership coaching. My values of hope, humility, compassion, and courage are always with me. I wouldn't be who I am apart from my faith, which leads me to desire to show love in all I do. Together, these allow me to show up with clients simultaneously direct yet gentle, firm yet friendly. Some of my clients, ribbing me for my propensity to hop out of my chair to the whiteboard to sketch a diagram of the brain or a theory of relational dynamics, have affectionally dubbed me "the pastorly professor."
The people I work with can expect to feel both challenged and encouraged. I don't like wasting their time or money, so I help them find the pain and then push them to lay aside their defenses, face their fears, and make choices for a better, healthier, more fulfilling life — choices for connection, authenticity, accountability, and growth.
Education
B.A., Elmira College, triple majors in Psychology, Music, Philosophy & Religion
M.Div., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Th.M. in Spirituality & Ethics, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Lamar University
Ed.D., The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dissertation: Affective Social Neurobiology & Student Formation: A Transdisciplinary Multimethod Study
Professional Memberships
Faculty, International Institute of Trauma and Addiction Professionals
Member, Division 47 of the APA: Society for Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology
Member, Division 43 of the APA: Society for Couple and Family Psychology
Member, Division 8 of the APA: Society for Personality and Social Psychology
Member, Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health
Professional Service
Founder & President, The International Association of Couple–Centered Recovery®
Board of Directors, The Association of Partners of Sex Addict Trauma Specialists (APSATS)
Board of Directors, Christian Sex Addiction Specialists International (C-SASI)
Professor of Counseling, Kairos University's Houston Graduate School of Theology
Licensure & Certifications
Licensed Professional Counselor, State of Texas (#78173)
Board Certified Counselor, National Board for Certified Counselors
Certified Sex Addiction Therapist – Supervisor, International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals
Certified Multiple Addiction Therapist, International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals
Certified Clinical Partner Specialist, The Association for Partners of Sex Addicts Trauma Specialists
Certified Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Provider – Candidate (in process), The Integrative Psychiatry Institute
Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator, The Daring Way
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, International Association of Trauma Professionals
Advanced Trainings
CoachRICE Executive Leadership Coach Training, Rice University
PACT Level III (Psychological Approach to Couple Therapy)
Gottman Couple Therapy Level I
EMDR Level I (EMDRIA–Approved Training)
Emotionally Focused Therapy (Externship, Core Skills 1-4)
Post–Induction Therapy (The Meadows Model), Pia Mellody
Work with Jake
At this time, Jake primarily works with couples in an intensive format — sessions ranging from 3 hours to 3 or more days, utilizing his Couple–Centered Recovery Model. This powerful method of therapy combines the elements from evidence–based practices, attachment science, and interpersonal neurobiology to help couples overcome the effects of trauma and addiction and move forward in their own growth and transformation, both individually and together.
Testimonials
"Jake showed compassion and understanding for myself and my wife. He walked us through a healing process that was hard work but so worth it."
"The most amazing 3 days! The days were tiring and hard, but very well worth it. As a partner, I have renewed hope and healing. Jake is amazing at explaining and teaching, not to mention how he validates and truly understands. He's been a blessing God has used to help heal our marriage."
