Hi, my name is Tres Adames and I provide pastoral counseling for adults and teens and specialize in working with those struggling to reconcile their sexuality and their faith. If you grew up in a home, church, or community that was not affirming of who you are, it can be isolating and cause a lot of internal conflict. I want to help create a safe, sacred place where you can explore questions and concerns that you feel you were not allowed to express or explore in the past.
My Approach I seek to be nonjudgmental and unshockable as a counselor. I am comfortable discussing difficult topics and have a passion to help others through the angst, struggle, and confusion that comes with life. I have a desire to help others after going through my own spiritual journey of healing and transformation. I originally went to seminary to become a minister, but slowly felt called toward the work of counseling. Rather than leading a congregation, I fell in love with the process of working with people one-on-one, helping each navigate their individual journey.
Though my background and approach is centered on integrating spirituality with overall wellbeing, I welcome people of all faiths or non-faith. I want you to feel comfortable opening up about anything you are going through. I plan on sharing some insight and wisdom so you can find strength for today and hope for tomorrow.
I'm excited to be on this journey and am passionate about helping you weave a transformative story of your own. Counseling can empower you to work through life challenges, discover who you are called to be, and find strength for the journey ahead. I provide counseling at my office in Phoenix, Peoria, or online.
Qualifications and Professional Experience I received my Master of Divinity (MDiv) from Wesley Biblical Seminary, and Bachelor of Arts (BA) from Asbury University. I am a Practitioner Member of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) and a Board Certified Pastoral Counselor (BCPC #0791), certified by the Board of Christian Professional and Pastoral Counselors.
I previously served as a commissioner on theACPE Psychotherapy Commission in 2020 and 2021. I am a trainer, contributing writer, and developer of the ACPE Pastoral Care Specialist continuing education program for clergy, chaplains, lay leaders, and allied professional caregivers of faith. I host and produce a weekly podcast called Ask a Christian Counselor, as well as Spiritual Care Today, the official podcast of the Journal of Pastoral Care and Counseling. I previously served on the Board of the Pacific Region of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC) before it was consolidated into ACPE in 2019. I have previously been on staff as a pastoral counselor for Life Changers Christian Counseling (2014-2019) and Arizona Baptist Children's Services & Family Ministries (2015-2018). In the past, I was also previously on faculty in a teaching assistantship in the College of Theology at Grand Canyon University (2012-2014). I am a member of Desert Mission United Methodist Church in Scottsdale, Arizona, and am ordained as a Commissioned Minister through the Federation of Christian Ministries — both fully-affirming faith communities. I also have over ten years of previous pastoral and leadership experience in the Free Methodist Church and the Church of the Nazarene.
