Accomplished leader, educator, therapist, and author, Dr. Marcus N. Tanner is committed to helping others build lives they love. From his work as a licensed marriage and family therapist and coach to growth-minded entrepreneurs, to his roles as speaker, educator, and published author, Dr. Tanner’s dedication to helping individuals achieve their potential has been the driving force behind his entrepreneurial success and continues to fuel his passion, both personally and professionally. Carving out a unique space for himself in retail, Dr. Tanner spent a decade in the industry before transitioning into pastoral ministry for more than a decade. Reinventing himself again, he earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Texas Tech University where he served as a career counselor and Founding Director of Integrative Studies. He has simultaneously built three successful businesses as a licensed therapist, including his latest venture, Planning the Practice – a coaching platform designed to provide expert guidance to professionals as they strive to achieve their most ambitious goals. Dr. Tanner’s work as a therapist is distinguished by his integrative approach, which draws upon elements of Gottman Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and EMDR, to help clients overcome personal challenges, build strong relationships, and create a proactive, strategic plan for success.

Dr. Tanner has been counseling individuals and couples for more than twenty years; first as an ordained minister. In 2005, he and his wife founded HealingChoice Ministries as an organization that serves ministry families, helping them to develop healthy marriages, healthy relationships, healthy ministries. 

In 2014, Dr. Tanner opened a private practice, HealingChoice Family Therapy, in Lubbock, Tx and began serving as a Marriage and Family Therapist. Continuing to grow his practice, he began supervising student interns and post-grad associates. He now has a group practice, serves as a supervisor for TX-MFT Associates and as an AAMFT supervisor. 

Planning the Practice is an extension of the work he has been doing for more than 30 years. In business, ministry, therapy, and leading a university department, he has learned how to reduce overwhelm in order to stay focused on his growth goals. 

Specialties: Counseling, Speaking, Teaching, Employer Relations, University Career Office Counseling, Non-Profits, Career and Professional Development, Academic Research, Consulting, & Student Affairs.