Locker McDonald is an associate counselor who is deeply committed to helping others lead fulfilling lives. He is 31 years old, happily married to his wife Payton, and proud father of two children, Sophie and Liam. Locker has a passion for understanding people's experiences and emotions, and he believes that every individual has the capacity to achieve their full potential with the right support.

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Locker's journey towards becoming a counselor has been a unique one. Locker graduated from Athens Highschool in 2011 and went on to spend some time working towards an undergraduate degree at Auburn University before moving to China for two years to do mission work with Cru. After returning home, he worked as a welder for a while before finally completing his undergraduate degree with Liberty University. Recently, Locker graduated from Liberty University with a master’s in clinical Mental Health Counseling, where he developed a passion for utilizing a client-centered approach and evidence-based theories to support his clients. He has experience working in community mental health where he worked with clients from all walks of life including children and adolescents to adults. He has worked with various diagnoses including Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Substance Abuse Disorder, and more.  

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Locker believes that the therapeutic relationship is the most important factor in helping clients achieve their goals. As Rogers famously said, "The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change." He believes that every person has the capacity to lead a fulfilling life and find meaning in their experiences. He is deeply influenced by the words of Viktor Frankl, who said, "When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves." Locker's work as a counselor center around empowering his clients to take charge of their lives and make meaningful changes. Having attended a Christian University, Locker is comfortable integrating Christian spirituality into the therapeutic process, and is greatly influenced by Christian practitioners such as Curt Thompson, Dan Allender, and Henry Cloud.

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Locker also incorporates interventions from evidence-based theories such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Strengths-Based approaches. He believes that these techniques can help individuals develop the skills they need to overcome life's challenges and achieve their goals. As Dan Allender said, "Strength is not the absence of struggle, but the ability to face them head on."

In summary, Locker McDonald is a compassionate and skilled counselor who is committed to empowering his clients to achieve their full potential. With his client-centered approach and evidence-based techniques, he helps individuals overcome challenges and find meaning in their experiences.