Hello there,

I have had several people comment that they cannot find anything about me on my site. I realise that I have written a lot of stuff for my site but not spent any time explaining who I am. So here we go.

Firstly, I am married to Naomi. We got married in 2003 and have been married ever since. Sometimes happily, sometimes more difficultly, but happily married nonetheless.

We have no children -update!- we have one on the way! Due June 2010.I come from a family of 10. Two parents, two brothers, two sisters, three cats and a dog. Well, not so many cats now days. I was the first child, so I taught my parents how to parent and my brothers how to grow up. Not because I knew how to do it, but because it was their first time being parents and my first time being a kid so we all learnt together really . 

Life as a kid was pretty tough for me. My parents were learning how to be married and how to parent all at the same time and I was a red head (ginga!) so I got picked on at school. Also, in retrospect, I was probably a bit of a smarty pants so probably had it coming some of the time.

One of the things that 'picked me up' in life was David Riddell's seminar at our church in 1996.

It made sense of life. I saw how my theology (understanding of the bible), philosophy(the way I thought about life), and psychology (my deep mind) interacted and how I could change and grow by examining my assumptions. It gave me more tools for life.

It was  then that I got my appetite for helping people reach their potential. I saw how I could change and how I just needed some more tools.I didn't go straight into counselling from there as I was only 18 and had other things to do (aka I didn't know what I wanted to do with myself yet). So, I studied half of a NZ Certificate in Engineering (Electro-technology) part time while self employed in the security industry. I enjoyed a few different jobs in technical fields including some work in the America's Cup boats in 2000. My entrepreneurial passion drove me into owning my own security business for a couple years which I thoroughly enjoyed, but I soon realised that I was more into helping people with their inner security. Cheezy but true .

I then sold my business, did the School of Living Wisdom again (to muster up the courage to enrol at uni) then enrolled at uni to study counselling. I studies for 3 years at Weltec (aka Wellington Institute of Technology) which actually has a campus in Auckland. Confusing I know. Then finished my studies on site in Tauranga at BTI (Bethlehem Institute of Technology).

I am now living back on the 'Coast with the Most' in Whangaparaoa. I am counselling two days a week in private practice located at The Family Doctors by the Whangaparaoa Plaza, one day a week at Whangaparaoa College counselling, and run training as well. Training involves running Living Wisdom schools, workshops, and Understanding Emotions courses in schools. I also do a little bit of home security, home theatre, web hosting, and PC repair work on the side for a bit of extra money, for the variety, and because it appeals to my entrepreneurial side. (Man that is a hard word to spell).

I enjoy surfing, mountain biking (or MX - peddling is over-rated), nerding round on computers, guitars and music. I don't like dressing up fancy for work, being too hot, or wearing shoes.

I was born in January 1979 which makes me 31 years young. I hope you feel you know me a little better and for those of you that were wondering 'who is Joel?', I hope this has answered your questions!

Nice talking.

Kind Regards,
Joel Young

P.S. I have recently done the Clifton Strengths Finder and have discovered a few clues about myself. You may find this gives you some insight into what you can expect from me also. Have a look by clicking here. It's a great resource and I recommend it!