Steve Tanner

Student Intern

Email: steve@refugecounseling.com

Hello. I’m glad you found my page. I am a counseling intern working toward licensure. I am a passionate life-long learner and explorer. I am in the final phases of completing an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University. I have been married for over 33 years. 

My wife and I planted and pastored a church for almost 6 years in which we were engaged in outreach and street ministry. During this season I realized that I simply did not have the language or the concepts to understand what many people suffered from.  Since then, I have been extremely interested in what happens to people when they experience trauma and/or when they face adverse experiences when they are children. I understand that people need safe connection with others and that we all need to be seen, heard and valued. Unfortunately, too often children, who are completely defenseless, are abused, and have negative and contorted thinking deeply imprinted into their souls, and suffer from deep attachment wounds. When we get older we are faced with the task of untangling those negative core beliefs and learn how to establish secure emotional attachment. My desire is to help you get released from shame and unforgiveness, and learn how to have deep, meaningful connection with others.

Personal Interests

My wife and I love camping and traveling.  I especially love roaming the deserts and mountains of the western U.S.  When I was younger I backpacked all over the Sierra Nevada mountains and the deserts and canyons around Moab, Utah. I have climbed Mt. Whitney three times and I ran one marathon and many half-marathons. I am also a history buff and wherever I travel I love to learn about those that went before us.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University

• Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary

• Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Cal State University, Long Beach/UCSB