Paul Campbell ’90 serves as a licensed professional clinical counselor serving the states of California and Arizona. Paul’s daily role entails virtual counseling services with an international company, as well as his own private practice in California and Arizona. Paul’s clients entail adults who predominantly struggle with anxiety, depression, bipolar, PTSD, schizophrenia, personality disorders, as well as couples and marital counseling. His work consists of daily psychiatric evaluations and assessments, therapeutic interventions, individual and marital/couples counseling, crisis counseling, and psycho-education with the objective of helping clients discover and eliminate the roots of their presented clinical issues. Paul is the author of five books and is currently working on a new book tentatively titled The Unbreakable Love. His university studies include Gannon University (B.A.), University of South Florida (M.A.), Logos Christian College/Graduate School (D.Min.), and a few semesters at Emory Candler School of Theology (M.Div. program). Paul taught Christian Counseling, Hermeneutics, and Homiletics as an adjunct professor when he lived in Florida at two seminary schools. Paul is currently single and spends a lot of time with his three amazing daughters who reside in Southern California and maintains a busy speaking schedule as a guest evangelist, both internationally and domestically.
What inspired you to pursue a career in mental health and ministry?
Over the last 24 years, I have been working as a licensed mental health therapist, as well as an ordained minister both within different capacities. In regards to being a therapist, I enjoy facilitating healing for others and helping individuals/families pursue their designated goals. Most of these individuals have experienced early childhood trauma, crisis, or developed mental illness during their journey on earth. Helping others obtain a sense of peace, tranquility, balance, and, ultimately, emotional health, has always been a preeminent purpose for me. As a therapist, I believe that everyone is entitled to live the best version of themselves and to successfully complete their journey and mission on earth. A few of my mental health jobs include community mental health, government contractor, crisis stabilization units, and private practice. For me, the best part of providing mental health services is to witness the transformation of lives.
I was called to preach the gospel in my early twenties. I served as a youth pastor, associate pastor, senior pastor, seminary adjunct professor, and now an evangelist. I’ve been blessed with opportunities to preach throughout several countries in Europe and the Caribbean Islands, as well as the United States. There is nothing greater than to witness someone as they commit their life to Jesus Christ, grow in His love, and demonstrate and introduce His love to others. Honestly, this is the most pleasurable and fulfilling experience among anything else that I do. Teaching others to obtain and practice a relationship with Jesus Christ is the most beautiful experience.
How do you think your time at Kellenberg Memorial helped to prepare you for your success in your academic and professional pursuits?
My education/experience at Kellenberg was amazing. It was a significant foundation for enhancing essential skills and knowledge needed to make a difference in the world, as well as creating the beginning of a moral system that I have been able to implement in my daily life. The priests, brothers, teachers, coaches, and students at Kellenberg contributed to who I am today. My friends from Kellenberg are the closest and most trustworthy friends that I have in my life today. They are amazing people with amazing hearts of God. Kellenberg allowed me to develop from a young boy until an adult while providing both elite education, rich religious experiences, and extracurricular activities. My participation in basketball developed in me great skills that I have been able to carry into other aspects of my life.
Do you have any advice for current students or young alumni who are interested in pursuing a career in mental health counseling?
I will encourage anyone to enter into the mental health profession/ministry. These careers offer an opportunity to see lives transformed, as well as become part of one’s transition. Ultimately, choosing what you love to do can correlate with one selecting their career. There is nothing greater than doing what you enjoy with regard to employment endeavors. I believe that anyone who enters this field will have an opportunity to touch many lives and it can be extremely rewarding and fulfilling.
Do you have any favorite teachers, coaches, or club moderators from your time at Kellenberg Memorial?
Yes, I would have to say most definitely. Mr. Buckley, Ms. Purcel, and my basketball coaches impacted me greatly throughout the years at Kellenberg. I can authentically state that the staff at Kellenberg all played a positive role in who I am today and I’m forever grateful for my experiences, even during the moments when I was oppositional 🙂 Sometimes you really don’t know what you need until you advance in age and experience.