The Good Shepherd Counseling Center

About Our Counselor
Art Defenderfer, M.A., M.F.T.
Davis Christian Counseling
Education, Training & Service

You can benefit from my many years of experience, specialized training and education. I am a seasoned therapist dedicated to helping you reach your personal, academic and career goals. Part of my sensitive approach to therapy comes from my spiritual heritage. I was brought up in the richness of a historical church where I felt the call to be a pastor as a child. After searching various philosophies in college, I accepted Christ and joined a lively Spirit-filled congregation, where I am serving as the Senior Pastor. I am also a leader in the Good Shepherd International Fellowship, established in 1975 to promote unity among ministers and churches in the Body of Christ.

License

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, 1988, License # M.F.C. 24393

Education

B.S. in Applied Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis – 1974
M.A. in Educational Psychology (M.F.T. Emphasis), University of San Francisco – 1982
Associate Arts in Practical Theology, Christ For the Nations Institute – 1978
Continuing Education

Enjoying Wholeness – A Day with Virginia Satir and June Singer
Anxiety and Depression
Anger Management
The Developing Mind
How the Brain Forms New Habits: Why Will Power is Not Enough
Transforming the Difficult Child: The Nurtured Heart Approach
Attachment: From Early Childhood Through the Life Span
Vicarious Trauma and Resilience
Compulsion to Repeat the Trauma
Advances in Complex Psychological Trauma and PTSD
Specialized Training in Subconscious Analysis and Therapy
One-on-one clinical training with Louis Boswell, M.D. (one of America’s early pioneers in Subconscious Analysis and Therapy)
Extensive training with Jerry Townsend and Carl Thompson. (Therapists and ordained ministers, they authored, “Subconscious Analysis and Therapy”. This was the first Continuing Education course of its kind to be offered to M.F.T.s to be approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences).
Specialized Christian Counseling training with ordained minister, Carol Dew (She a gifted therapist and the author/presenter of outstanding, “Sozo” counseling courses).
Awards and Recognition

Highest Honors at Graduation – U. C. Davis – 1974
An Outstanding Young Man of America – U.S. Jaycees – 1984
Listed in Who’s Who in the West – 1994
President’s Honor Club – Success Motivation Institute – 1988