Dr. Paul Hegstrom is the founder of Life Skills
International. He spent the first forty years of his life not
understanding the driving force that caused him to
self-destruct again and again. He could not communicate or
identify his feelings. He knew something was wrong, but lived
his life in denial. Over $20,000 was spent on counseling where
he was giving "labels," however, it never got to the root of
his problem. This only added to his anger and frustration. His
16-year marriage ended because he could not get the help he
needed. The violence continued in subsequent relationships and
finally, after being involved in a life-threatening situation
that could have meant 15-20 years in prison, he asked for
help.
In 1983, Paul and Judy were remarried. They brought
healing to their own family as they worked to set up Life
Skills International.
As a testimony to the program's effectiveness, their
second marriage has been free of emotional and physical abuse
since its beginning. All three children and their families live
violence free lives.
Paul's Credentials:
- Ph.D. in Pastoral Marriage and Family
Therapy, Evangelical Theological Seminary
- M.S. in Pastoral Counseling,
Evangelical Theological Seminary
- B.S. in Pastoral Counseling,
Evangelical Theological Seminary
- Honorary Doctorate, Doctor of Humane
Letters, Evangelical Theological Seminary
- Certified Cognitive Behavioral
Therapist and Domestic Violence Counselor
Endorsement, National Board of Cognitive Behavioral
Therapists
- Level IV Domestic Violence
Certification, National Association of Forensic Counselors
- Member of AACC (American Association of
Christian Counselors)
- Member of CAPS (Christian Association
of Psychological Studies)
- 18,000 hours of research in Domestic
Violence and related issues
- 36,000 hours facilitation clinics for
victims and perpetrators of abuse
- An internationally recognized authority
in attitude and behavioral changes
- Author of Angry Men and the
Women Who Love Them, Beacon Hill Press, Spring
1999
- Author of Broken Children,
Grown Up Pain, Beacon Hill Press, Summer 2001
- Founder/Developer of the Life Skills
International Program
