Steve Walker, APCC, PPS

Meet Steve

I am an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor who works with a diverse clientele, including individuals, couples, veterans, and athletes. Having pursued a PPS credential to work with K-12 children in a school setting, I also specialize in working with adolescents in middle school and high school. My approach to therapy is to custom tailor the experience to your specific needs by bringing an atmosphere of collaboration, with you as the focal point.

As a husband, father, veteran, and endurance athlete, I know how busy life can be and how many plates we are all spinning. I like to think of my time with my clients as a time to pause from all the chaos and talk about where you have been and where you would like to go. At the end of each session my goal is for you to feel ready to jump back into life with a backpack of tools you can use to effectively navigate whatever challenges you are facing and establish a foundation of well-being.

Education and Experience

After graduating from Redondo Union High School in 2000, I went into the Marine Corps where I was stationed for four years at Miramar Air Station. Upon being diagnosed with a genetic eye disease called Retinitis Pigmentosa, I separated from the Marine Corps and went into the family business of real estate. After my eyesight continued to deteriorate I decided to go back to school, ultimately pursuing my Masters in Counseling as a Professional Clinical Counselor as well as a PPS credential from Loyola Marymount University. I am currently attending Loma Linda University to obtain my Doctoral degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.

While I am very proud of the educational milestones I have accomplished, I am most proud of my personal growth. Learning to live without eyesight laid me low for a while. I had to learn skills to cope with obstacles in my way and it helps me when I sit with my clients today. I draw from my 21 years of marriage when I work with couples and families. I am proud of my daughter who is now attending college. I was honored to be able to complete my clinical internship at Mira Costa High School and Manhattan Beach Middle School last year. Using my experience as a father who just had a child graduate from high school gave me key insights to being up to date with the hurdles children face today.

I am also passionate about working with veterans and athletes. I was able to turn something considered a negative into fuel for me and began completing triathlons in 2013. I have gone on to complete two full Ironman triathlons at 140.6-mile distances and multiple other triathlon events. I was introduced to a group of athletes who also served in the military and have disabilities through a non-profit group called Challenged Athletes Foundation under the umbrella program called Operation Rebound. I was able to accomplish goals surrounded by people who had common struggles as me, even if our obstacles were different. During my internship at Mira Costa High School, I developed a mental health program for athletes and was able to speak with multiple teams about the mental side of competing. I also delivered an all-day assembly to the entire middle school at MBMS about how we need resistance in our lives to push us forward. Public speaking has been one of the highlights that have come out of my triathlon experience, but being able to speak with people from all walks of life, has helped me learn how we all value and desire connection. Connection is the core of what I bring to my practice today.