Our therapists offer christian counseling in Waco, TX

I am a licensed professional counselor associate (LPCA) with 7 years of experience supporting individuals, couples, and families through emotional and relational challenges. I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, relationship concerns, communication difficulties, eating disorders, and life stressors. I am passionate about helping clients recognize their strengths, gain new perspectives, and feel more empowered in their daily lives.

I earned my master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from Abilene Christian University. My therapeutic approach is collaborative and individualized, drawing from cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, solution-focused therapy, narrative therapy, and motivational interviewing to help clients build practical tools for lasting change.

I understand that reaching out for support can be a vulnerable and overwhelming experience. I create a safe, compassionate space where you feel respected and heard. Together, we’ll identify root concerns, strengthen coping skills, and work toward meaningful growth. When you’re ready, I invite you to schedule a session and begin your journey forward.

Jenny Betancis is a bilingual (English/Spanish) Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with over 15 years of professional experience. She works with clients between the ages of 10-65 and above who are struggling with depression, trauma, anxiety, anger, women's issues, stress, life transitions, relationship issues, and much more.

Jenny holds a Master's degree in Community Counseling from Webster University and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She has training in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (T-FCBT).

Jenny is truly excited to help each client achieve their pinnacles of wellness. Schedule your session with her today and begin your journey toward better mental health with Jenny's support.

I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with 4 years of experience in mental health care. I specialize in supporting individuals facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, mood disorders, and life transitions. I combine evidence-based medication management with supportive therapy to promote healing and long-term well-being. I am dedicated to creating a compassionate, client-centered environment where individuals feel heard, understood, and empowered in their journey toward mental health.

I earned my Master’s in Nursing from Walden University, where I developed a strong commitment to evidence-based care and holistic treatment. My approach blends medication management with supportive therapy to address each client’s unique needs, build coping strategies, and foster resilience and stability.

Taking the first step toward mental health care can feel overwhelming, but it is also an important act of strength. My goal is to provide thoughtful, personalized support that empowers you to move forward with confidence. If you’re ready to begin your path toward greater stability and well-being, I encourage you to schedule an appointment.

Meghan Paravi is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate with 5 years of experience. She treats clients of all ages who are struggling with life transitions, ADHD, depression, anxiety, and grief, among other concerns. Meghan strives to look at each client individually, as they are the expert on their life. Her practice is rooted in the belief that individuals possess inherent strength and resilience. Meghan is committed to creating a collaborative and empathetic therapeutic relationship where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered to make positive changes in their lives.

Meghan earned her Master’s in Counseling from Loma Linda University. She collaborates with clients to develop effective strategies and techniques tailored to their unique needs, promoting personal growth and positive change. Meghan uses approaches including exposure response prevention, experiential therapy, expressive arts, and psychoanalysis.

Meghan partners with clients to discover life beyond “existing” or “surviving” in broken relationships, impaired thinking, painful behavior patterns, and debilitating intense emotions. She will walk alongside you, empowering you to discover hope, healing, and happiness to reach your fullest potential.

Jeremy is a Licensed Professional Counselor with several years of experience in the mental health field. He is passionate about helping young adults, adults, and couples learn how to live lives that are meaningful, purposeful, and satisfying. He specializes in: depression, anxiety, attachment issues, trauma, relationship dynamics and boundary issues, self-confidence, identity and purpose, spiritual issues, and mindfulness.

Jeremy completed his Master’s degree in Counseling at Dallas Baptist University in 2014 and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor (2009).

Life is incredibly hard and at times even unfair. It is normal to feel this way - we all do. What matters is what we do with the time given to us. Jeremy is exceedingly confident that he can support you on your journey to grow in emotional strength and courage. He will challenge you to seek, find, and live up to your fullest potential. If you are ready to set off on this adventure, schedule an appointment with him today.

Alexyis Roberts is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas. She specializes in trauma-informed therapy and has worked with clients who have a wide range of concerns including trauma, perinatal mood disorders, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, low self-esteem, life transitions, parenting problems, and career challenges. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Organizational Leadership from Bethel University and a Master of Arts in Counseling from Dallas Theological Seminary.

Alexyis takes an integrative approach to therapy, combining trauma-informed techniques with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), mindfulness-based therapy (MBT), motivational interviewing, and narrative therapy.

Alexyis is known for her creativity in therapy sessions and often incorporates somatic work, mindfulness, expressive arts, and experiential activities. She believes in working collaboratively with her clients to address obstacles and move forward as a team. To schedule an appointment with Alexyis, you can call or go online.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 20 years of experience supporting individuals navigating depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress. I typically work with women ages 20–45, helping them identify issues that interfere with their ability to function or cause them to feel “stuck.” My approach is collaborative and goal-oriented—I work alongside clients to uncover patterns, set meaningful goals, and move toward healing and emotional balance.

I earned a Master’s in Social Work from Barry University. My therapeutic approach integrates cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, mindfulness, and traumatic incident reduction to help clients gain insight, strengthen emotional regulation, and work through past trauma while developing practical coping tools.

If you’re ready to begin your journey toward emotional wellness, I would be honored to support you. I offer both in-person and online sessions, providing a compassionate space for you to heal, grow, and rediscover your inner strength.

Rachel Marshall is a board-certified Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Texas. She is also a Master Certified Professional Coach (MCPC). She is on a mission to help people with their spiritual, psychological, emotional, and/or behavioral well-being. Rachel specializes in helping individuals better manage chronic stress, trauma, complex post-traumatic stress, and anxiety, along with many other conditions. She also provides counseling from a Christian faith perspective upon request.

Rachel completed her Master's in Education for Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a 4.0 grade point average from Lamar University.

Rachel has experienced many hurdles in life that she has successfully overcome and understands that "life happens." Rachel desires to help her clients overcome the stressors that are getting in the way of her clients living their best lives possible.

I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC) with 12 years of experience in the mental health field. I specialize in helping individuals navigate depression, anxiety, anger management, and life transitions. My work includes supporting men managing intense emotional responses, couples who feel disconnected, and individuals who feel stuck or overwhelmed by circumstances that make it difficult to move forward.

I earned my master’s degree in counseling from Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth. My clinical experience includes work in a behavioral health hospital serving individuals with significant emotional and mental health challenges. I primarily use narrative therapy, helping clients explore how their life experiences have shaped their current challenges.

Together, we will examine the stories that have been shaping your thoughts, emotions, and decisions. I help clients identify strengths, reconnect with personal values, and build clarity around what matters most to them. My goal is to support you in moving forward with renewed purpose, confidence, and direction in your life.

Frank Ogbanna is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has worked in helping professions for over 30 years. Frank has treated adolescents, young adults, and adults in various settings including homes, prisons, outpatient programs, and in schools. He treats concerns like anxiety, depression, bipolar, interpersonal issues, trauma, relationship issues, communication in couples, low self-esteem, life transitional issues, grief & loss, sex offenses, and suicidal ideation/self-harm. His compassionate, goal-oriented approach shows his clients his positive regard, person-centered philosophy, and collaborative style from the initial session.

Frank has a bachelor's in economic education, a master's in educational psychology, a master's in mental health counseling, and a Ph.D. in epidemiology. He uses cognitive behavior therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, mindfulness, internal family systems, positive psychology, person-centered therapy, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused therapy.

Frank believes that everyone has what he calls a "life backpack" of events, and he explores it to find solutions to present situations. Frank fosters a multicultural environment to enable his clients the freedom of expression. Frank has experienced some matters of life such as abandonment, neglect, and grief and loss—building empathy comes to him naturally.

Abe Clabby is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who specializes in treating relationship issues, workaholism, trauma, codependency, depression, anxiety, autism, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Abe spent the last 6 years at the Love Is Respect hotline and the National Domestic Violence Hotline, where he has seen the best and the worst that family and relationships have to offer. He is the author of "Cool Off the Burnout: Feel Better at High-Pressure Jobs".

Abe completed his master's degree in Counseling at St. Edward's University, where he earned a 3.7 GPA and spent an extra semester taking courses in marriage and family therapy. In postgraduate training like the Gottman method, Abe found what some couples do that makes them thrive. There are things that help with a partner, but they also help with our parents, our jobs, and our friends. Abe uses motivational interviewing in a client-centered way, empowering people to change the narrative and find an existential purpose for what they do and using the tools of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to get around the obstacles where people feel stuck.

Abe works with a lot of good-hearted people. They're compassionate and want to do good in the world and to help people they love. Caring people can be taken for granted, taken advantage of, and even hurt and used. They can be left feeling empty, unfulfilled, and unloved. But with the right mindset, boundaries, and self-care, they can be respected, appreciated, and live a life that they're proud of. Abe helps people care for others and in turn, care for themselves. With therapy, people can troubleshoot their troubles in jobs and relationships. Everyone has more options than they realize.

Melissa Stevens is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with over 11 years of experience in the mental health field. She is dedicated and passionate when it comes to helping children, teens, adults, and families work through issues related to self-harm, suicidal tendencies and thoughts, depression, anxiety, grief/loss, trauma, relationship issues, and major life transitions.

Melissa completed her master’s degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She has spent most of her career working with adults as they transition through different stages of life, helping to navigate life’s many challenging situations, as well as serving young people aged 6-19 . She is truly passionate about what she does and takes pride in her ability to connect with people on a deeper level. Melissa uses an integrative approach to working with her clients that focuses on using what best suits each client. The modalities she often uses consist of person-centered (PCT, Rogerian) methods, Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), solutions-focused (SFT) therapy, Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT), art and music therapy, relational, faith-based, and family systems therapy (FST).

We could all use someone to help us talk through and navigate these difficult and challenging situations we are often faced with. If you, your child, or your family are ready to move towards a stronger sense of self-actualization and self-determination in a comfortable, safe, and judgment-free zone, schedule your appointment with Melissa today.

Alexia Antoine is a Licensed Professional CounseIor with 10 years of experience. Alexia empowers clients by asking questions, guiding them in goal-defining, and helping them through the problem loop to a solution. Alexia treats anxiety, ADHD, bipolar, borderline personality disorder, career issues, depression, divorce, infidelity, trauma, multicultural issues, racial identity, stress-related issues, and women’s issues. Being trained in EMDR, she shows you your brain's ability to heal from trauma. Her training coupled with her mental health history and being the daughter of an immigrant allows her to help you navigate your concerns.

Alexia completed her Master of Arts in Counseling at Dallas Baptist University. Alexia uses cognitive behavioral therapy, rational emotive behavior therapy, solution-focused therapy, positive psychology, EMDR, faith-based therapy, Christian counseling, cognitive reprocessing, emotionally-focused therapy, mindfulness-based therapy, and multicultural therapy.

Whether it be adjusting to the current life stage, learning self-love/soul care, or handling career demands, your process looks different from the next person. Together, you and Alexia will develop some actionable steps to help you gauge where you are in your wants and get you to where you want to be. Schedule your appointment to begin.

Marci’a Blake is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 15 years of experience in helping people identify the strengths needed to work toward social and emotional resilience. Marci’a has a wide range of skills and specializes in working with adolescents and adults with issues such as mood disorders, generalized anxiety, grief and loss, self-esteem and boundaries, borderline personality disorder, trauma, adjustment challenges, and substance use disorders. She does not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to therapy and tailors care to individuals’ specific needs and goals.

Marci’a has a Master’s in Counseling from the University of Phoenix. She takes an eclectic approach that includes cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and strengths-based and motivational interviewing strategies. These are complemented by experiential therapy techniques such as role-playing, poetry, journaling, music, and art.

While working with Marci’a, you will be challenged to expand your self-awareness and reframe the negative core beliefs that shape your worldview and influence your mental health. Together, we will understand your history, identify triggers, and develop practices that pave the way for a better version of yourself. Reach out today to get started!

Kelly Pedersen is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor who specializes in redefining perception: assisting individuals with trauma recovery and couples with intimacy-rebuilding with insight and useful techniques for bypassing roadblocks. She helps people hone their anger management skills and address the flip side of the coin: initiating the healing process after someone has endured physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. In addition, she helps people with trauma, life transitions, LGBTQ-related challenges, mood disorders, and geriatric issues.

Kelly is trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) as a technique to treat PTSD, and she assesses trauma through the dual lenses of spirituality and culture. She also uses cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) in her therapeutic processes.

"Stuck" situations require creative solutions! Solving a problem in isolation isn't easy, which is why collaboration with an experienced counselor can prove invaluable. The details of each person’s thinking may be varied and unique in every case, but Kelly believes that what is really important is the sense of being enough, sufficient, responsible, capable as yourself on top of the situation. When the work goes well (which certainly is the intention) the outcome will be the same: an increase in the sense of one’s own ability to manage life, and a feeling of growth and empowerment.

Kelly has a clear approach to counseling with people and it relates to what she sees as the ideal outcome of such work. The highest goal, the gold standard of good counseling, is an increase in client morale, significant growth of feeling competent and confident to work with the feelings and situations that brought you to counseling in the first place. A good counseling relationship has worked when one hears, “You know, I think I can handle this now. I feel a lot better and think I know what to work on and what to do.”

As a counselor, Kelly strives to encourage a therapeutic connection that serves as a "secure base", enabling you to challenge your misconceptions about yourself and refocus on your strengths. She believes that accessing new experiences in the context of a therapeutic relationship can help us rewire our brains and our lives.

Janet "Kaye" Love is a Licensed Professional Counselor who is experienced in working with youth, parents, and families as well as individual adults. Kaye has over 8 years of experience working with individuals with developmental and learning disabilities, including Intellectual Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder, in Special Education and Vocational Rehabilitation. Her approach blends Solution Focused, Cognitive, Psychodynamic, Psycho-educational, and Mindfulness-based techniques, Play therapy is available for children ages six to ten. She is experienced in providing spiritually sensitive counseling to clients who identify with diverse belief systems including Buddhism, Christianity, Ethical Humanism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Wicca.

Kaye is passionate about assisting individuals to explore and enhance their sense of meaning and purpose in life in a way that is sensitive to and respectful of their religious or non-religious understanding. She understands the challenges of developing an appreciation of a personal skill set that is unique, positive self-esteem, and creative workarounds for functional limitations, as well as the difficulties involved in navigating education, employment, healthcare, and community organizations designed for those with typicality.

Kaye is focused to help you alleviate distress by developing ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving that increase your experience of well-being. She focuses on potential solutions instead of problems, which helps you move toward your goals. Kaye will help you understand the dynamics of your situation and discover how your thoughts and beliefs affect your emotions and behaviors. You will learn to observe your thoughts, revise limiting conditioning, develop new ways of thinking that evoke more positive emotions, and become more able to resolve issues independently.

Shandrieka Poree Vallare is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 22 years of experience helping children, teens, adults, and seniors to better manage their anxiety, depression, anger management difficulties, relationship difficulties, coping skills, life transitional issues, academic problems, low self-esteem, chronic stress, and women’s issues.

Shandrieka earned her Master's degree in Social Work from Southern University—New Orleans. She's an active listener who enjoys engaging with her clients as they work together towards identifying and achieving short and long-term goals. Shandrieka utilizes various evidence-based therapeutic modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), solutions-focused therapy (SFT), narrative therapy, person center therapy, motivational interviewing, and behavioral therapy. From professional experience, she knows that improving one's behavioral health can lead to increased quality of life, healthier families, more satisfying personal relationships, and stronger communities.

Shandrieka is passionate about helping people overcome life's difficult challenges and is dedicated to assisting individuals with developing new insights and coping skills. She'll work with you to begin the process of transforming and improving your mental health. As an individual who has experienced challenges and obstacles within her personal and professional life, she understands how negative experiences can be overwhelming at times. Shandrieka will partner with you to devise a personalized treatment plan that sets you on the path to success and addresses your needs as a client.

Chelsea Holcomb is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 5 years of experience specializing in panic and anxiety disorders, depression, and other mood disorders. She holds a certification in behavioral teaching and has extensive knowledge regarding the difficulties of chronic illness and relationship issues. She enjoys working with adolescents, teens, adults, and couples. With a background in school counseling and as a mother, she is very familiar with the challenges of raising children in today's world and the struggles teens are facing.

Chelsea received her Master’s in Clinical Counseling and School Counseling from Texas Woman's University. Her experience spans multigenerational and multicultural populations and includes a variety of clinical approaches, including cognitive behavior therapy, solution-based therapy, and other humanistic approaches.

Chelsea utilizes a down-to-earth, authentic counseling style and truly enjoys helping others. Getting to know a client, including their hopes, values, and motivations, helps her assist them in overcoming their challenges in a safe and non-judgmental environment.