Portland Counseling Faculty

Kay Bruce

Kay began her time at Western Seminary as a student in 1988. After going on to earn her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology she returned in 1996 to Western, this time to teach. She co-founded Charis Counseling Associates in Vancouver, WA and served there as Executive Director and President. She has been married to her husband Paul since 1975; they have three children and are proud grandparents of four. Kay is a great encouragement to her students and selflessly invests herself into their lives.

Professor of Counseling
Director of the Counseling Program

B.A. Portland State University
Graduate Diploma of World Ministry, Western Seminary
Certificate of Graduate Studeis in Bible and Theology, George Fox Univeristy
M.A. George Fox University
Psy.D. George Fox University

Executive Director, Charis Counseling Associates, 1997-2003
Counselor, Columbia Pastoral Counseling Center, 1995-1997
Counselor, Longview Psychological Group, 1995-1996
Certified QPR Instructor for Suicide Prevention Training, 1997-present
Western Seminary, 1996-present

Courses:
CNS 501 Clinical Foundations
CNS 506 Legal & Ethical Issues
CNS 512 Group Counseling
CNS 513 Social and Cultural Foundations
CNS 562G Suicide Intervention Workshop
CNS 525 Tests & Measurements

Norm Thiesen

Norm taught at Western in both full time and part time positions from 1989-2000. He returned in 2004 to teach full time once again. He has served as senior pastor, counselor and professor over the last 35 years. Norm is not only trained in theology and psychology but he is also a certified Life Coach and director of Western’s Coaching Program. Norm has been married to Elaine for over 25 years, they have three boys. When Norm is not teaching he enjoys time with his family and the outdoors.

Professor of Pastoral Counseling

B.A., Biola University
M.A., Pepperdine University
M.A., Talbot Theological Seminary
M.A., Rosemead Graduate School of Psychology
Ph.D., Rosemead Graduate School of Psychology

Counseling Faculty, Biola University & Talbot Theological Seminary, 1973-1980
Senior Pastor & Counselor, Rosedale Bible Church, 1981-1986
Director & Faculty, Graduate Counseling Program, Grace University, 1994-2000
Counseling faculty, Western Seminary, 1989-2000, 2004-present
Counselor, Cornerstone Clinical Services, 2005-present
Support and Recovery Ministry, New Hope Church, 2006-present

Courses:
CNS 503 Family System Therapy
CNS 518 Career & Lifestyle Development
CNS 53X Case Conference
CNS 562K Premarital Counseling
PTS 507 Providing Pastoral Counseling
PTS 508 Developing the Family

Dave Wenzel

Dave came to Western Seminary in 1994 to implement the school’s vision for a licensable counseling degree program. Dually trained in theology and counseling, Dave has a passion for the delivery of mental health services to the underserved populations in our community. Dave is married to Hollis and together they have six children. When not teaching or counseling, Dave enjoys skiing, running and dirt biking.

Professor of Counseling

B.A., Azusa Pacific College
M.Div., Th.M., Western Seminary
M.A., Ph.D., Loyola College

Counselor, Epoch Counseling Center, 1990-1994
Clinical Supervisor, Loyola College, 1992-1994
Clinical Director, Sunnyside Counseling Center, 1994-2008
Director of DUII program, Sandy Family Services, 1995-1996
Western Seminary, 1994-present
Internships: Portland Veterans Hospital 1987-1991, Taylor Manor Hospital 1992-1994, Epoch Counseling Center 1991-1992

Courses:
CNS 505 Psychopathology
CNS 507 Human Development
CNS 508 Integrative Issues
CNS 53X Case Conference
CNS 543 Treatment Planning
CNS 561R Parent Skills Training
CNS 561U Counseling Axis II

 

 

 



PORTLAND COUNSELING