Brian Tingley
MS LMFT

Biography

 I was raised in a family that valued people and relationships. My father was a World War II veteran who was quiet, kind, and generous. My mother was in charge of the church nursery for twenty-five years. My parents loved children, and I was one of three boys they adopted after raising their four biological children. During my childhood, they were licensed foster parents. Vulnerable children became part of our family and it wasn't uncommon to have people spend the holidays with us who weren't able to be with their own family.

Growing up in an environment that was others-centered, it was common to be involved with mission trips, summer children's programs, a camp for individuals with disabilities, and food distribution.

My parents were in their forties when I came along, and having worked hard, they were ready to enjoy some of life's pleasures. My father was a commercial airline pilot, and we routinely travelled to fascinating places worldwide.

My parents instilled a strong work ethic. I was hired at a local Chinese restaurant at age fourteen, where I washed dishes and bussed tables. I experienced life as ordinary and not all that interesting until I stumbled upon and became obsessed with artistic and speed roller-skating. I poured everything I had into the sport and competed at the United States National Championships. That season was a turning point where I learned many life lessons as I formed my identity and questioned the purpose of my life.

After graduating from high school, I considered full-time ministry and began attending Bible school. For the next several years, I had various jobs, including retail sales, loading freight trucks, and working for Costco Wholesale during its beginning years. I was responsible for marketing, accounting, and inventory control. I also volunteered as a leader-mentor to youth and young adults.

I had always been intrigued with media and I began making videos as a vehicle to more effectively engage young people. I saw the influence visual arts could have, and a new desire and direction was forming in me. Simultaneously, the idea of full-time ministry was waning. As I approached graduation, I was wrestling with my character, sorting through how my beliefs applied to the real world. In the end, I felt I wasn't adequate to be a "professional-good-person." The standards I'd set for myself were unrealistic. However, after some life-experience, I would later discover my inadequacies, weaknesses, and failures would become some of my most useful assets.

I decided to pursue additional skills by enrolling at Western Washington University, where I was trained as a radio and television broadcast journalist. I would later work in news production as well as write, produce, and direct television programs, commercials, and promotions for the local CBS Network affiliate. My heart had always been to help people, so whenever I had the opportunity, I'd take assignments addressing the needs of youth, family and community. I was part of a talented team, and we won numerous awards, including six NW Television Emmy nominations.

While in broadcasting, I missed the more direct engagement with people and sensed a call to change career direction once again. I returned to school and became a Marriage and Family Therapist. During my training, I worked with several academic institutions providing counseling services to elementary, junior high, high school, and university students and worked for the Child and Family Services department at a community mental health agency. Before beginning my private practice in 2002, I served as a child mental health specialist on a team that developed a pilot project in partnership with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services for assessing and making recommendations for the needs of children and their families who were entering the foster care system.

I have taught courses in Psychology and Human Relations at two Washington State colleges, facilitated relationship seminars, and have been involved with teaching at divorce recovery workshops.

My wife and I hosted international college students who lived in our home for fourteen years. I love to read, spend time outdoors, and watch and play sports when I'm able. Most of all, I enjoy time with family.