Gary Armour
Excellence in family counseling is the gold standard in Gary’s practice. As a marriage and family therapist and pastor, he has counseled families facing death, terminal illnesses, identity issues, parent-child dilemmas, marital conflicts, and many other turbulent storms through which he has walked with families. The “therapeutic alliance” that is formed with the family during therapy is a key ingredient in creating a safe haven for persons to heal.
Gary brings both professional expertise and personal experience to his work. He and his wife, Sarah Armour, shared over 50 years of marriage, providing a stable foundation that shaped his perspective in marriage and family therapy. Much of what he has learned in the counseling field has strengthened his own marriage and family life through the application of principles that support strong, resilient families. Gary and Sarah have three adult children and two grandchildren, and he continues to find great joy in time spent with his extended family and in being a grandparent.
Gary has provided pre-marriage counseling to hundreds of couples. The “PREPARE/ENRICH Inventories” for couples is one of the best tools for equipping couples to build marriages with lasting values. “Couple communication” is also a helpful model for increasing satisfaction and understanding each other’s needs.
Faith and spirituality are included in Gary’s work with families who desire to incorporate their spiritual life as an important source of strength and well-being in their relationships. His background includes over 30 years of ministry, and his shared life with Sarah reflected a deep commitment to creating a strong spiritual foundation within the home. Gary also has a strong sense of empathy for pastors and others serving in full-time ministry, recognizing the unique challenges, pressures, and wounds that can affect both individuals and families committed to faith and service.
A further unique feature Gary brings to individual and family counseling is his experience as a prostate cancer survivor and a cardiac bypass survivor. He offers a personal perspective on men’s health issues and understands the impact serious illness can have on family dynamics, particularly during seasons of uncertainty.
Issues of aging and families who are “sandwiched” between caring for aging parents and raising children are also areas where Gary provides guidance and support, helping families navigate these complex and often stressful life stages.
Learn more about my background and experience.
Gary is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and a licensed clinical marriage and family therapist. He holds a Master of Divinity from St. Paul’s Seminary and has completed further graduate coursework in marriage and family therapy at MidAmerican Nazarene University and Northern Seminary in Chicago.
Gary is in private practice at Lifeline Counseling Center, a collaborative environment where additional counselors offer high-quality therapy for children, adolescents, and adults. To learn more about available services and providers, visit lifelinecounselingcenter.org.