DEBBIE CHILDERS
LCMHC-ADEBBIE CHILDERS
LCMHC-ADebbie earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in History and Secondary Education from Duke University. She earned a Master of Science (M.S.) in Counseling and an Education Specialty (Ed.S.) in Marriage and Family Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Although she has spent many years teaching and tutoring teenage students in Greensboro, she has recently resumed counseling. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (#A 18597).
Debbie has a passion for helping teens and adults become the confident and capable individuals God has created them to be. She works from a Biblical worldview, but is willing to work with clients who have a different spiritual orientation. Debbie believes in creating a safe, supportive place in which clients can work through life’s disruptions and emerge with healthy coping skills and greater resilience. She enjoys working with teenagers who are experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship challenges and self-worth struggles. She also works with adults facing loss, relational conflict and adjustment difficulties. Special areas of emphasis include infertility, grief and loss, and refugee trauma and adjustment.
Debbie believes that individual growth happens in the context of relationships. Part of healthy development is learning how to set boundaries and nurture healthy attachments. She draws on Emotionally Based Therapy to help clients cultivate emotional awareness and strengthen bonds of attachment in order to optimize a person’s confidence, satisfaction and resilience in all life circumstances. She also uses a variety of counseling approaches that include but are not limited to art therapy, play therapy, role play exercises, cognitive restructuring and behavior goal-setting.
AVERY ROBBINS
LCMHC-AAVERY ROBBINS
LCMHC-AAvery Robbins earned a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in Social Studies and Religious Studies from Liberty University in Virginia. She went on to acquire her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University. She now practices as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (#A19391).
Avery recognizes that we all have places of pain and disruption in our lives, and she desires to cultivate a space where clients can feel seen and heard while taking steps towards healing. Avery believes it is an honor to walk alongside her clients. She embraces a holistic approach recognizing the importance of the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual components of each person. She utilizes an integrative approach that incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy skills (DBT), Polyvagal Theory, Person-Centered Approaches, and themes of Attachment and Inner Child work. In conjunction with her theoretical orientation, she believes that reflecting on one’s own experiences assists individuals in recognizing patterns and deeply held beliefs. Avery has experience working with individuals in areas including anxiety, depression, eating, self-esteem, body image, trauma, abuse, spiritual concerns, and stressors pertaining to collegiate athletics.
Avery sees spiritual integration as a significant part of the therapy process. She approaches counseling through a Christ-centered lens but respects each person’s spiritual beliefs and will incorporate integration at each client’s level of comfort. Avery is a native of Greensboro and enjoys spending time with her husband Cooper and their puppy Mabel.
VICTORIA LUKAWSKI
LCMHC-AVICTORIA LUKAWSKI
LCMHC-AVictoria received her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Indiana Wesleyan University and a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counseling Associate in the state of North Carolina (License A18365). Victoria acknowledges that coming to counseling takes a lot of courage and therefore desires to provide a welcoming, safe, nonjudgmental, and comfortable environment for all clients.
Victoria has a heart for working with women who feel lost, broken, unloved, and confused with their life circumstances. She believes in providing a space for clients where they feel seen, heard, understood, encouraged and where hope can be instilled. Victoria works with clients who have a variety of presenting concerns, including anxiety, spiritual/faith concerns, relationships issues, life adjustments, self-esteem, family of origin, boundaries, and guilt/shame. She utilizes a collaborative holistic approach to healing as she believes it provides the most beneficial long-term outcomes. Some specific theories she uses are Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Art Therapy, Mindfulness, and Strengths Focused interventions. She is a SYMBIS (Save Your Marriage Before It Starts) certified pre-marital counselor.
As a Christian Counselor, Victoria conducts her counseling from a Biblical perspective acknowledging that Christ is the one who provides true and lasting healing. She desires to be a calm and immovable anchor for clients while helping them realize that they are overcomers and fully redeemed by Jesus Christ.
In her free time, Victoria enjoys baking, playing tennis, traveling to new places, spending time with her husband Jeff, and reading.
RACHAEL PARENTE
MS, LCMHCRACHAEL PARENTE
MS, LCMHCRachael Parente is a native of Greensboro, NC, and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies from UNC-Chapel Hill. She worked in Sports Marketing for five years before changing careers out of an earnest desire to impact the lives of others. She received her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from UNC-G and is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor ( #14966) in NC.
Rachael works with adult clients who have a number of presenting concerns, including anxiety, trauma, spirituality/faith concerns, relationship issues, stress management, and life adjustments. She utilizes techniques from many theoretical approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Person-Centered therapy, and solution- focused brief therapy as the client presents with specific needs.
As a Christian Counselor, Rachael believes that true healing comes from the Lord through the work of the Holy Spirit. She views clients and their needs through a Biblical lens and believes counseling is an instrument of God’s healing. Rachael will always meet a client where they are spiritually and will let the client decide how and if spirituality will be incorporated into therapy.
In her free time, Rachael is active in her church and enjoys traveling, visiting coffee shops, playing board games, and reading books.
CARISSA BROWN
MA, LCMHC-SCARISSA BROWN
MA, LCMHC-SBio coming soon.
CONNIE BROWN
MSW, LCSWACONNIE BROWN
MSW, LCSWAConnie Brown received a Bachelor’s degree in 1992 in Social Work from Bennett College and a Master of Science in Education (M.Ed.) in 2004, from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, both in Greensboro, NC. Most recently, Connie received a Master of Science in Social Work (MSW) from Simmons University, Boston, MA. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Associate (License #P015325).
Ms. Brown has experience treating individuals with depression, anxiety, trauma, and anger management. She is trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and EMDR, and has over 20 years of experience working in both the mental health and social work fields, with many years of training related to trauma and crisis experiences.
Connie enjoys working with adolescents (ages 13-17) and individual adults (age 18 and over). Her primary therapeutic method is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) which looks at how your beliefs, feelings, and self-talk influences your behaviors. In addition to CBT, Connie uses Solution-Focused Therapy, empowering individuals to focus on current and future solutions while identifying goals and resources for a strengths-based approach to enhancing their quality of life.
As a Christian/biblical counselor, Connie is committed to the authority and sufficiency of Scripture, seeking to look at human problems from the perspective of God’s Word. She holds to the belief that God is the One who changes people and sees herself only as an instrument in the hands of the One who can create change superior to anything a counselor or counselee could ask or imagine.
ELIZABETH (LIZ) NEWTON
MA, LCMHC, LCASELIZABETH (LIZ) NEWTON
MA, LCMHC, LCASLiz Newton earned a Bachelors Degree in Bible Theology and Christian Counseling from John Wesley College in High Point, NC, and a Masters Degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (#10585) and a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialists (#22551) in North Carolina. Liz is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) and the Licensed Professional Counselors Association of North Carolina (LPCANC).
Liz has experience in working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families with depression, anxiety, bipolar, marital issues, substance use, and adjustment to various life experiences, as well as personality disorders. Liz takes an eclectic approach to counseling, which often includes, but is not limited to cognitive-behavioral, person-centered, and solution-focused brief therapy; as well as offering counseling from a biblical worldview. Liz is trained in the use of Motivational Interviewing, Seeking Safety, and in DBT skills; however, her approach in therapy will depend on the unique needs of her clients and their personal goals for therapy.
HOLDEN EHLINGER
MS, LCMHC, NCCHOLDEN EHLINGER
MS, LCMHC, NCCHolden Ehlinger earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Management and Society from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in the state of North Carolina (license #14938) and a National Certified Counselor (#1232244). Holden’s areas of experience include but are not limited to working with individuals struggling with grief/loss, identity issues, family of origin, depression, boundaries, guilt/shame, and anxiety.
Holden believes that as persons become more aware of their own story (history), thoughts, behaviors, emotions, and beliefs, they have increased ability to face challenges and overcome difficulty more successfully. Her goal is to work collaboratively with her clients to help them find alternatives to address the challenges that they face. Holden utilizes a blended approach, including but not limited to aspects of cognitive-behavioral (CBT), psychodynamic, mindfulness, and person-centered lenses. She seeks to work with her clients, taking into consideration their strengths and needs, in order to create a collaborative and holistic therapeutic approach. She is honored by the opportunity to sit across from her clients and hold parts of their stories in order to promote healing and growth.
Holden believes spirituality can be a powerful vehicle for healing. She feels strongly about incorporating a Christ-centered perspective in a way that brings healing to the client but does not simplify or diminish their experience. Holden will always meet a client where she is spiritually and will never impose her beliefs on a client.
HOPE HOWARD
LMFTHOPE HOWARD
LMFTHope Howard received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy both from Lee University in Cleveland, TN. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the state of North Carolina (license #2297). Hope’s areas of expertise include, but are not limited to, family and relational issues, parenting skills, anxiety, depression, stress management, phase of life issues, and couples counseling.
Hope believes in a client-centered approach, which means clients set the goals of therapy while the counselor chooses the best interventions to help clients achieve their goals. Hope sees each client and family through a Family Systems Theory lens, meaning each person is emotionally and relationally impacted by the people in their family unit, whether they are present in therapy or not. In therapy, Hope will help you explore how your closest relationships impact the way you understand yourself and relate to others. She believes having an opportunity to share your story and gain a greater understanding of your emotions in a safe, non-judgmental setting can have a profound impact on the healing process.
Hope believes that people experience positive change through restorative relationships and the ultimate example of that is through having a relationship with God. She considers being a therapist an honor and a true calling from God and desires for each person and family she meets with to experience what it is like to feel known and loved regardless of their struggles. Hope is passionate about blending the knowledge of Psychology and the truth of Scripture to more deeply understand God as the Creator of both. However, she feels clients should have the ability to decide how much faith and spirituality is integrated into their therapeutic experience.
Hope is married and lives with her husband. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, being involved in her church, reading, watching sports with her husband, running, and going on road trips.