Dr. Walton is academically prepared with degrees in Psychology and Social Sciences, with a Bachelor's degree in Counseling, a Master's degree in theology, and a PhD., in Education. He is non-denominational in his theology and well studied in all major denominations. As of 2005, he had logged over 7000 counseling and Pastoral visits to hospitals, hospices, and cancer centers and has worked with grief counseling groups. Many of the stories and case histories in the book are entertaining as well as helpful.