About Pastor Brooks Gibson, M.Ed.
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Education : University of Nebraska Arizona College of the Bible Grand Canyon University Northern Arizona University Post Master's Degree Studies : Ottawa University, Psychology Doctoral Studies : Capella University, Clinical Psychology |
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Degrees
B.S., Psychology M.Ed., Counseling Awards The National Dean's List Who's Who in American Universities The American Christian Leadership Council |
Ordained Pastor
Living Water International Teaching as an adjunct Educator: Arizona Certified Community College Instructor Glendale Community College - Courses: Introduction to Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Personality Psychology and Abnormal Psychology. Paradise Valley Community College - courses: Developmental Psychology. Arizona College of the Bible - courses: Bible/Theology, Youth Ministry. |
ABOUT - His Life History . . .
Pastor Brooks Gibson, M.Ed. was raised in a violent, dysfunctional, alcoholic family. While everyone needs Coping Mechanisms, they become a matter of heightened importance and survival under such conditions in a violent family. The Coping Skills or Strategies that evolved were the result of both his genetic makeup and the environment (nature vs nurture) he was raised in.
Brooks’ Father was involved in using Positive and Strength’s Psychology beginning in the 1960’s, for the evaluation, hiring and training of top sales personnel. Brooks was exposed to many professionals, books and audio tapes, while growing up, who were all involved in the use of Positive and personal Strengths Psychology. He applied what he learned to sports and other endeavors as he gained an increased understanding of positive psychology. He read such books as Psycho-cybernetics and The Power of the Subconscious Mind, over a summer in junior high when his family relocated to a new city. The audio presentations by famous speakers were engaging because of the speakers use of humor and storytelling. Storytelling has become a credible therapeutic intervention in recent decades for certain clients, encouraging them to consider new choices.
Coping Mechanisms
Brooks has always been highly introspective from an early age, seeking to understand life, people and why they do the things they do. But why is understanding people and behavior so important? Because understanding is the beginning of insight into predicting when such behavior will occur and what the cause of that behavior might be. In dysfunctional families, conflict and chaos can break out at any time and last for hours, even overnight. Any tip or clue that the mood is changing in the house, allows children to at least prepare mentally, if not physically, for the approaching storm.
Of course, introspection also leads to questions such as “why am I here?”, “what is life all about?” and “How do I matter in this world?” The dysfunctional family teaches members that they only matter when one person in authority says so, according to the often-unwritten rules of the family. At various times throughout his youth he found a reprieve in the kindness of a stranger, teacher, coach, pastor, relative, or others who shared their wisdom, insight, encouragement and faith with him.
Sports was a major part of his life for many years, playing football, basketball and baseball year-round. By competing in interscholastic sports, sometimes on more than one team each season, it kept him busy and out of the house as well as physically fit. Exercise, especially vigorous exercise, is a healthy means of reducing stress, improving immune systems, as well as many other health benefits. By age twelve he began lifting weights at an adult gym that also housed Nautilus machines.
Music was another important coping mechanism, beginning in the primary grades, continuing throughout his life. He sang in choirs for many years, including a traveling choir for one year. After playing the piano, trumpet and guitar, he was forced to limit his lessons to one instrument with so many other activities. He chose the guitar. He played both acoustic and electric guitars, at schools, churches, weddings, camps and many informal gatherings over the years. He played a 12-string guitar for 45 years until it was stolen in 2017 during a move after selling the family home. Music provides the opportunity to experience a wide range of emotions while exercising our creative brain.
He also found comfort attending the Lutheran Church that his family attended and where he was “confirmed” at age 13. He later joined the “Order of Saint John”, serving for several years as an Acolyte and Pastoral assistant during Church services and communion.
He was also blessed at age 10, with one of “man’s best friends”, a Canine from the animal “pound” (as it was called then), that he named “Reggie”. His time with Reggie created some of his best memories of childhood. Reggie was always ready to play, fetch a ball or play football with neighborhood kids. The unconditional love of a pet has many positive effects on our lives at any age. Reggie developed epilepsy however, requiring daily medication to prevent seizures for his remaining years, until he had to be put down. A Cockapoo was next, followed by the many homeless dogs he rescued from streets and neighborhoods near-by. He began to breed German Shepherds that carried a recessive gene that produced a rare type of thick undercoat and long hair. German Shepherd’s that carried a recessive gene for this trait, when bred, produced puppies with the long coat. His best stud dog was “Tonka”, registered as “Dakota’s Desert Dancer) had this long coat. Tonka was an excellent breeder and produced 40 puppies before he was retired. While no longer breeding, he looks forward to having many more German Shepherds in the future.
ACADEMICS and TRAINING
Pastor Brooks Gibson, M.Ed. is trained in Christian Counseling, Clinical Psychotherapy and Forensic court ordered services in the Family and Juvenile Superior and District Courts of the United States. He has worked with all ages including children, adolescents, adults, couples and families, for over 30 years. He has helped clients overcome a wide range of difficult emotional, relational, marital, familial, clinical, and personality disorder issues. He is an ordained pastor and a State Certified Community College Instructor in Psychology, Counseling and Chemical Dependency, having taught for over 16 years at locations such as; Arizona College of the Bible, Glendale Community College and Paradise Valley Community College, to name a few. He is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors and the American Association of Pastoral Counselors. He is the past Director of Counseling at the Arizona Justice Center in Glendale, Arizona.
He obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Grand Canyon University, and his Master’s in Counseling Degree from Northern Arizona University. He received his education in Bible and theology from Arizona College of the Bible and did post master’s work in Psychology and Clinical Psychology at Ottawa and Capella Universities respectively. He was awarded the National Dean’s List, Who’s Who in American Universities, and the National Christian Leadership Association awards while in college. After attending six universities, he became a voracious reader and has assembled an audio book library with over 300 titles for his client’s education during their counseling. He also co-authored the State of Arizona’s manual for separated parents involved in shared custody, “Planning for Parenting Time: Arizona’s Guide For Parent’s Living Apart.”
He has an extensive background in administering tests and assessments, followed by treatment for many issues, including child and adolescent behavior, anxiety, depression, ADD/ADHD, drug or alcohol abuse, emotional, social, and school behavior problems with children and adolescents. He has also administered thousands of adult personality assessments using such reliable and valid assessments as the MMPI, MMPI-2, Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI-III), Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI), DISC, 16PF and many others.
His early vocational training and employment included out-patient counseling settings, group homes, Residential Treatment Facilities, an intensive in-home (the clients homes) treatment model, In-patient psychiatric hospitals, telephone and online services. Some of the facilities included Northwest Biblical Counseling Center (Northwest Community Church), West Valley Camelback Hospital (now Banner), Arizona Baptist Children’s Services, Jane Wayland Treatment Center, Charter Hospital of Glendale, and others. He began his private practice full time in 1992 and has collaborated with many colleagues, service providers, agencies, churches and courts through the years. He continues to collaborate with others to provide the best available services to his clients.
He believes that working with clients over these years, has been his calling and life journey. His clients have taught him through their struggles, how much we still have to learn.
So what is holding you back? Call him for a free phone consultation at 602-896-1000.
Pastor Brooks Gibson, M.Ed. was raised in a violent, dysfunctional, alcoholic family. While everyone needs Coping Mechanisms, they become a matter of heightened importance and survival under such conditions in a violent family. The Coping Skills or Strategies that evolved were the result of both his genetic makeup and the environment (nature vs nurture) he was raised in.
Brooks’ Father was involved in using Positive and Strength’s Psychology beginning in the 1960’s, for the evaluation, hiring and training of top sales personnel. Brooks was exposed to many professionals, books and audio tapes, while growing up, who were all involved in the use of Positive and personal Strengths Psychology. He applied what he learned to sports and other endeavors as he gained an increased understanding of positive psychology. He read such books as Psycho-cybernetics and The Power of the Subconscious Mind, over a summer in junior high when his family relocated to a new city. The audio presentations by famous speakers were engaging because of the speakers use of humor and storytelling. Storytelling has become a credible therapeutic intervention in recent decades for certain clients, encouraging them to consider new choices.
Coping Mechanisms
Brooks has always been highly introspective from an early age, seeking to understand life, people and why they do the things they do. But why is understanding people and behavior so important? Because understanding is the beginning of insight into predicting when such behavior will occur and what the cause of that behavior might be. In dysfunctional families, conflict and chaos can break out at any time and last for hours, even overnight. Any tip or clue that the mood is changing in the house, allows children to at least prepare mentally, if not physically, for the approaching storm.
Of course, introspection also leads to questions such as “why am I here?”, “what is life all about?” and “How do I matter in this world?” The dysfunctional family teaches members that they only matter when one person in authority says so, according to the often-unwritten rules of the family. At various times throughout his youth he found a reprieve in the kindness of a stranger, teacher, coach, pastor, relative, or others who shared their wisdom, insight, encouragement and faith with him.
Sports was a major part of his life for many years, playing football, basketball and baseball year-round. By competing in interscholastic sports, sometimes on more than one team each season, it kept him busy and out of the house as well as physically fit. Exercise, especially vigorous exercise, is a healthy means of reducing stress, improving immune systems, as well as many other health benefits. By age twelve he began lifting weights at an adult gym that also housed Nautilus machines.
Music was another important coping mechanism, beginning in the primary grades, continuing throughout his life. He sang in choirs for many years, including a traveling choir for one year. After playing the piano, trumpet and guitar, he was forced to limit his lessons to one instrument with so many other activities. He chose the guitar. He played both acoustic and electric guitars, at schools, churches, weddings, camps and many informal gatherings over the years. He played a 12-string guitar for 45 years until it was stolen in 2017 during a move after selling the family home. Music provides the opportunity to experience a wide range of emotions while exercising our creative brain.
He also found comfort attending the Lutheran Church that his family attended and where he was “confirmed” at age 13. He later joined the “Order of Saint John”, serving for several years as an Acolyte and Pastoral assistant during Church services and communion.
He was also blessed at age 10, with one of “man’s best friends”, a Canine from the animal “pound” (as it was called then), that he named “Reggie”. His time with Reggie created some of his best memories of childhood. Reggie was always ready to play, fetch a ball or play football with neighborhood kids. The unconditional love of a pet has many positive effects on our lives at any age. Reggie developed epilepsy however, requiring daily medication to prevent seizures for his remaining years, until he had to be put down. A Cockapoo was next, followed by the many homeless dogs he rescued from streets and neighborhoods near-by. He began to breed German Shepherds that carried a recessive gene that produced a rare type of thick undercoat and long hair. German Shepherd’s that carried a recessive gene for this trait, when bred, produced puppies with the long coat. His best stud dog was “Tonka”, registered as “Dakota’s Desert Dancer) had this long coat. Tonka was an excellent breeder and produced 40 puppies before he was retired. While no longer breeding, he looks forward to having many more German Shepherds in the future.
ACADEMICS and TRAINING
Pastor Brooks Gibson, M.Ed. is trained in Christian Counseling, Clinical Psychotherapy and Forensic court ordered services in the Family and Juvenile Superior and District Courts of the United States. He has worked with all ages including children, adolescents, adults, couples and families, for over 30 years. He has helped clients overcome a wide range of difficult emotional, relational, marital, familial, clinical, and personality disorder issues. He is an ordained pastor and a State Certified Community College Instructor in Psychology, Counseling and Chemical Dependency, having taught for over 16 years at locations such as; Arizona College of the Bible, Glendale Community College and Paradise Valley Community College, to name a few. He is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors and the American Association of Pastoral Counselors. He is the past Director of Counseling at the Arizona Justice Center in Glendale, Arizona.
He obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Grand Canyon University, and his Master’s in Counseling Degree from Northern Arizona University. He received his education in Bible and theology from Arizona College of the Bible and did post master’s work in Psychology and Clinical Psychology at Ottawa and Capella Universities respectively. He was awarded the National Dean’s List, Who’s Who in American Universities, and the National Christian Leadership Association awards while in college. After attending six universities, he became a voracious reader and has assembled an audio book library with over 300 titles for his client’s education during their counseling. He also co-authored the State of Arizona’s manual for separated parents involved in shared custody, “Planning for Parenting Time: Arizona’s Guide For Parent’s Living Apart.”
He has an extensive background in administering tests and assessments, followed by treatment for many issues, including child and adolescent behavior, anxiety, depression, ADD/ADHD, drug or alcohol abuse, emotional, social, and school behavior problems with children and adolescents. He has also administered thousands of adult personality assessments using such reliable and valid assessments as the MMPI, MMPI-2, Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI-III), Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI), DISC, 16PF and many others.
His early vocational training and employment included out-patient counseling settings, group homes, Residential Treatment Facilities, an intensive in-home (the clients homes) treatment model, In-patient psychiatric hospitals, telephone and online services. Some of the facilities included Northwest Biblical Counseling Center (Northwest Community Church), West Valley Camelback Hospital (now Banner), Arizona Baptist Children’s Services, Jane Wayland Treatment Center, Charter Hospital of Glendale, and others. He began his private practice full time in 1992 and has collaborated with many colleagues, service providers, agencies, churches and courts through the years. He continues to collaborate with others to provide the best available services to his clients.
He believes that working with clients over these years, has been his calling and life journey. His clients have taught him through their struggles, how much we still have to learn.
So what is holding you back? Call him for a free phone consultation at 602-896-1000.
Brooks has over 30 years of experience in working with married couples, families, children, adolescents and adults, all concerning a wide range of issues, developing several areas of specialization during that time. He has served the community for many years in ministry and in various roles on committees and as a Court appointed forensic expert in the Arizona Court System. Listed are only a few of these examples, including:
- The Maricopa County Superior Court’s Behavioral Health Committee for ten years.
- Co-author of: Planning For Parenting Time: Arizona’s Guide For Parent’s Living Apart. This booklet, updated in 2013, is intended to help parents reach agreements about parenting time with their children and is Arizona’s guide to resolving child custody dispute.
- Served on the Domestic Relations Committee’s, Ad Hoc Child Custody Workgroup from 2010-2011. The Domestic Relations Committee (DRC), an interim legislative committee, was formed by legislation that was passed in 2002, (A.R.S.§ 25-323.02). The DRC established the Ad Hoc Work-group (members list) in 2010 to review and recommend improvements to the Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 25, Chapter 4; on Child Custody. The Workgroup drafted written suggestions for new statutes-Ad Hoc documents drafted, posted their work on the Supreme Court's website and sought input from the community by holding open meetings and encouraging public comment through discussion on language regarding the “Primary Parent” & “best interests” of the child.
- Providing testimony to a Senate Committee of the Arizona Legislature on proposed bills concerning the handling of mental health experts appointed to high conflict divorce and child custody cases in Family Court.
- During Mayor Paul Johnson’s term, Brooks served on the Mayor’s Adolescent Task Force and taught Parenting Classes in the community for parents of adolescents.
Brooks is the founder of Mending Lives LLC, an organization that provides many services to families in the west valley in addition to counseling. Brooks is also a charter member of the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC).
Brooks is available at his office in Peoria, Arizona. He offers 60-90 minute sessions and many other supportive services for his clients, including a library of educational and therapeutic audio CDs on relevant topics that clients may check out between appointments.