Reneau Peurifoy holds a master's degree in counseling and attended Fuller Theological Seminary. He is the author of several books including Anxiety, Phobias, and Panic: Taking Charge and Conquering Fear, Overcoming Anxiety: From Short-Term Fixes to Long-Term Recovery and Why Did God Give Us Emotions? Peurifoy is a frequent guest speaker for organizations including the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA), the nation's primary organization for anxiety-related problems. Peurifoy was in private practice for twenty years as a marriage and family therapist specializing in anxiety disorders. He retired from private practice in 2000 to teach at Heald College in Sacramento, California. In 2015, he retired from teaching and received a ministerial credential from the Church of God headquartered in Anderson, Indiana. He now is spending his time writing, speaking, and seeing people with anxiety-related problems as a pastoral counselor.