Richard L. Shurtz is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) with years of professional experience in his field of practice. His expertise is primarily focused within the areas of adolescent development, marital therapy, family systems, and individual growth.
Rick’s experience includes parenting skills training for Concept 7 – one of the largest Christian foster parenting agencies in California; as well as pre-marital workshops for several organizations and churches. Rick has also worked as the director of counseling services for two churches; in this capacity, he worked as an on-staff therapist, and the developer of various family education programs. These programs included couples communication, parenting skills, financial planning, crisis intervention, as well as adolescent and child development. Additionally, Rick is a licensed minister, which allows him to provide pulpit support, and assist local pastors by connecting them with available community resources and referrals
Rick has been involved with the Minirth-Meier New Life Clinics, as a therapist for their inpatient programs. He has also headed up the efforts to procure, develop, and implement a community crisis intervention hotline.
Having grown up on the mission fields of Brazil and Mexico, he has a heart for missions work and assists missionary organizations through pastor training and evangelistic outreach in both Africa and Brazil. He is tri-lingual – fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Rick is a 2nd degree black belt and outdoorsman. Currently, he and his wife, Karen, are developing a program for couples to enhance their relationship skills by taking them to the great outdoors and using various activities and adventures as a catalyst for change and personal growth.
Rick received his bachelor’s degree from Texas Christian University and his master’s degree from Georgia State University.