JOHN DAY – Before John Stauffer came to town, there were no batterer’s intervention or sex-offender treatments offered in Grant County. People needing these services had to drive to Burns, Baker City or Bend.

“I like the idea that I can provide something that is needed,” Stauffer said.

Stauffer came to Grant County in April and started his counseling and mediation service, Oregon Life Solutions, because former district attorney, Christie Timko, kept asking him to provide the counseling services not available to local people.

“Christie Timko is the reason I’m here,” Stauffer said.

Stauffer has a master’s degree from George Fox University and is an ordained minister. He is currently working on completing a dissertation for his doctorate through George Fox University. His dissertation is titled, “The role and responsibility of the Christian-faith, moral community to influence the community at large.”

Stauffer believes churches should get more involved in helping people in the community before agencies get involved. He plans to make his dissertation into a book, and he used the dissertation as an outlet for his beliefs.

“It was a life-long desire and it also gave me a forum for writing,” Stauffer said.

Stauffer said he believes Grant County has a lot of domestic violence, much of which goes unreported.

Batterer’s intervention and anger management counseling are not the same thing, he said.

“Anger applied properly is okay. It’s an emotion that occurs naturally,” Stauffer said. “Anger management is a term that has been misapplied.”

Stauffer’s motto to his clients is “To be successful in treatment, you must demonstrate positive cognitive behavioral change.”

“It’s all about change. The hardest thing in the world is change,” Stauffer said.

Stauffer also offers group, one-on-one, and marriage counseling and he is a court-appointed family mediator. A substance abuse contractor (CADC-2) and certified alcohol drug counselor works out of his office.

His batterer’s intervention program follows state guidelines.

“Oregon Life Solutions adheres to this very strongly,” Stauffer said.

Stauffer said he is not in it for the money. He barely makes enough money from his clients to pay rent, taxes and utilities.

“It’s not a money-maker for me. It’s an extension of my ministry,” he said.

Oregon Life Solutions is located at 530 E. Main Suite 6 in John Day. Info: 575-0909.