“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”
Philippians 3:12-14 (NLT)

Roylee received her Master’s Degree in Counseling from Webster University. She has been engaged in the “helping profession” as a licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC) as well as in the areas of crisis pregnancy/academic and career advisement/spiritual guidance/serving as a liaison between the US Senate and constituents in issues concerning healthcare and children, youth and family matters. She has completed post-graduate work in basic mediation training along with victim offender and restorative justice.

Roylee believes that ultimately, clients know what is best for themselves; however, we all need Godly wisdom and a compassionate mentor to help “sort out the messiness of life”. This is where she comes in. She enjoys male and female clients from ages 17 -75. Due to life experience and training, she feels she could assist in areas of depression/anxiety/grief/marital discord and domestic abuse.

Roylee is an active member of her church and takes pleasure in her family and dog. She loves people, reading, cooking, the wonders of God’s nature and outside activities.

Biography pending.

Alan Bohnhoff is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) and holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA-CMHC) from Richmont Graduate University. He enjoys working with couples, families and individuals, having extensive lay counseling experience with relationship and marriage issues. He has a heart for integrating Christ into the counseling process in a non-profit setting, building on an Interpersonal foundation, incorporating Solution Focused Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Additionally, he is a certified Prepare-Enrich facilitator which he uses to provide engaged couples with a rich premarital counseling experience. His goal is to help couples and individuals build strong, Godly marriages, families and other relationships that will be a lasting legacy for future generations.

Alan is a compassionate counselor with a wealth of life experience, who is motivated by a passion for helping people achieve wellness and wholeness – both emotionally and spiritually. Feeling led to transition out of a long career in the corporate world, specifically in the information technology industry, Alan completed his training. Then he and his wife relocated to Athens, Georgia to be near two of their grown children and a growing number of grandchildren.

Alan’s particular areas of interest and experience include:
● Couples (Relationship Distress, Affair Recovery, Premarital Counseling, Enrichment)
● Anxiety
● Depression
● Self-Esteem Issues
● Men’s Issues (Stress, Work/Life Balance, Addictions)
● Parenting Challenges (in particular, with special needs children)
● Values Clarification
● Grief/Loss Counseling
● Spiritual Growth and Renewal
● Healthy Relationships
● Navigating Life Transitions

When Alan is not in the counseling room, he is actively involved in his church, and enjoys teaching, endurance biking, applying technology to the counseling process and spending time with family.

Mr. Bohnhoff provides services for FCS at our satellite office at Athens Church of Christ, just outside of Athens, GA.

Ms. Laurel Burnett is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in New Mexico and is a National Certified Counselor (NCC). She has a Masters in Art degree in Counseling from Webster University and has a Certificate in Thanatology (CT) from the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC). She has over 15-years experience counseling individuals, couples, and families on issues related to life transitions, grief, loss, relationships and communication.

Ms. Burnett also serves as the Assistant Director for Formation Counseling Services (FCS) and she participates in Community Outreach as we grow and deepen our FCS counseling ministry through dynamic partnerships with our satellite churches.

Ms. Burnett is a military veteran and served 25-years in the Air Force (13-years active duty and 12-years active reserve). She is an active volunteer in the local veteran community.

She values Education and Training, offering both local seminars and presentations at state and national conferences. For example, she facilitates a Caregiver Support Group at a local senior community and is a presenter at the annual International Death, Grief and Bereavement Conference.

Mrs. Canada received her Masters Degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University in 2001. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and has been in practice for the past seven years. Mrs. Canada works primarily with females who are dealing with depression, anxiety, relationship, and parenting issues. Her special interests include loss and bereavement, marital therapy, and working with teens. Outside of her office hours, Mrs. Canada spends most of her time caring for her husband and her three school-aged children. She is active in her church and sees mentoring and hospitality as important aspects of her ministry.

Mrs. Sara (Sally) Chapman is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC).  She provides individual, couples, and family therapy for adults and adolescents. She holds a Masters of Arts in Counseling from Denver Theological Seminary. Mrs. Chapman has a passion to help people develop a deeper relationship with God as they pursue wholeness in the struggles of life. She is also committed to being an instrument of God’s healing grace and to helping people know that they don’t have to face the challenges of life alone.

Her special areas of interest are:

• Premarital counseling
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Codependency
• Difficulty with life transitions
• Challenges of parenting
• Divorce recovery
• Grief counseling
• Women’s issues
• Healthy personal identity
• Healthy relationships
• A deeper sense of meaning and purpose in life
• Spiritual direction

Dr. Linda Coble is a licensed counseling psychologist. She has a doctoral degree in counseling. Linda has worked as a therapist for the past 35 years in hospitals, schools, public mental health and private practice settings. She works with teens through adults in both individual and family settings using a variety of therapy models including cognitive behavioral therapy and family therapy. Dr. Coble has experience in grief and loss, stress management, trauma, marital communication, depression and anxiety and many other areas.

Dr. Davis is a licensed professional clinical counselor. He holds a Ph.D. in Psychology and Counseling and a Master of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He is also an ordained minister and a certified chaplain.

Dr. Davis counsels in the areas of addiction, anxiety, grief, depression, and anger management. He practices principles that work with his clients of all ages: children, teenagers, and adults. He has been providing his clients with individual therapy, marital therapy, and family therapy for more than ten years.

Biography pending. Will be posted soon.

Jay Dillard, LMFT, has a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Richmont Graduate University. Prior to Richmont, he pursued his passion for serving the marginalized by working for five years in a Community Service Board setting in direct service with adults who were developmentally delayed and dually diagnosed with mental illness. Jay has also spent time working at Good Samaritan Health Center in Atlanta, working with families and individuals with a warm, collaborative approach that focuses on his passions related themes in attachment to others and the existential/spiritual questioning that helps one find meaning in difficult seasons of life. He has experience with depression, anxiety, addiction (including sexual addiction) and trauma. Jay enjoys working with adolescents, couples, families, and adults.

Mr. Dillard provides services at our satellite office at Midtown Church in midtown Atlanta, GA.

Biography pending.

Stephanie Fredenberg holds a Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy from Richmont Graduate University with specializations in Addictions and Trauma. She enjoys working with individuals, couples, and families. Her clinical experience includes working at Richmont Graduate University’s Hope Counseling Center as well as My Sister’s House, a day shelter and residential rehabilitation program for women and children. As a previous middle and high school educator, Stephanie values the impact of child and adolescent experiences on adult identity, relationships, and behavior. Particularly in light of childhood trauma and/or dysfunctional family dynamics, she holds fast to the motto that “people make sense.” Consequently, her heart is to help people make sense of their present circumstances by taking a closer look at their stories. Stephanie considers it an enormous privilege to be invited into some of the most critical moments in a person’s life and facilitate the transformation God has in store.

When she is not in the office, Stephanie devotes most of her energy to her husband, 1-year old baby boy, and backyard full of farm animals. She is grateful for a supportive family and the most fun-loving, inspiring community of friends one could ask for. She enjoys traveling, running and working out, practicing Spanish, relaxing in nature, attempting to make music, and yoga.

Mrs. Fredenberg provides services at our satellite office at Midtown Church in midtown Atlanta, GA.

Bio pending. Will be posted soon.

Mrs. Garcia-Rodriguez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in the state of Missouri. She holds a Diplomate in Clinical Social Work with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and is credentialed by the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW). She is bilingual and bi-cultural.

She works with women of various ages in individual therapy. The treatment spectrum includes, but is not limited to, the areas of: depression, anxiety, grief and loss, and stressors associated with lifespan changes in the human developmental process. She is a seasoned clinician in working with individuals who have experienced sexual abuse or other trauma. Mrs. Garcia-Rodriguez made the decision to become a Certified Life Span clinician as it not only brings healing but enhances neural integration. This consequently improves self-regulation, which decreases various symptoms. More information on this intervention may be found at https://lifespanintegration.com.

When clients request the incorporation of their faith into psychotherapy, she integrates the tools of psychological and spiritual development. This transformative process invites the client into a journey of allowing the knowledge of God and self into the hidden places of our inmost being, replacing anxiety and fear. Mrs. Garcia-Rodriguez enjoys using her professional skills to incorporate hope, resiliency, and compassion for self, thereby helping people create success in various aspects of their lives.

Dr. Goehring is a licensed clinical psychologist and the director of Formation Counseling Services (FCS). He has been providing therapy for individual adults and couples for over 40 years. He holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and a Master of Arts in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. He is also an ordained Cumberland Presbyterian minister and an adjunct faculty member at Richmont Graduate University (Atlanta).

Dr. Goehring is devoted to using the tool of Christian psychotherapy to help people discover a deeper relationship with God in the midst of the challenges of life. He is also dedicated to developing and providing the most excellent clinical services possible for all those served by FCS. In addition, he loves to practice various forms of prayer and he considers laughter and playfulness among the finer things in life.

Dr. Goehring’s special interest areas include spiritual formation, anxiety, depression, marital therapy, and pre-engagement counseling.

Mrs. Heffelfinger’s bio is pending and will be posted soon.

<p>Ms. Holder is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who holds her undergraduate degree in psychology from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN and her master’s degree in Social Work from New Mexico Highlands University.</p>
<p>”Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 is Ms. Holder’s favorite Scripture in this day and age of stress and anxiety. She has always strongly believed in the value of helping people by giving them the tools they need to be able to help themselves to live more productive, peaceful and satisfying lives. Life can be so very difficult at times and she feels very fortunate to be able to work in an environment where she is able to combine her clinical skills with principles of spirituality and her love for Christ in order to overcome painful problems and experiences.</p>
<p>Her therapy is client-centered as she believes in a strong therapeutic alliance with an emphasis on client strengths as well as cognitive behavioral work. The age of her clients range anywhere from 20 to 80+ and she enjoys working with a variety of populations. Ms. Holder has a background in substance abuse, mood disorders (bipolar/depression,) anxiety disorders, women’s issues, relationship difficulties, grief and loss, stress management, weight loss management, bariatric surgery issues and emotional overeating. She has been in practice for over 10 years.</p>

Biography pending.

Biography pending.

Biography pending.

Biography pending.

Ms. Marianne Vivica Meador, a Licensed Independent Social Worker, has a Masters degree in Social Work. She has worked in the social work field for over 10 years with diverse individuals and families in a variety of contexts, and adapts her therapy according to client needs. She includes spiritual and relational work in therapy. Ms. Meador also uses sensory and interactive modalities, including play therapy, sand tray, and art. In addition she uses cognitive behavioral and family therapy approaches. Ms. Meador has training and experience in grief and loss, life transitions, stress management, crisis management, trauma, attachment, and other areas.

Carolyn is a 2020 graduate of Liberty University and holds a Masters’ degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Prior to receiving her degree, Carolyn served many years as a Christian peer counselor at Bartow Family Resources in Cartersville, Georgia. Carolyn has experience working with teenagers and adults. She has served clients struggling with a variety of mental health issues including depression, anxiety, PTSD, sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, woundedness from the past, and domestic violence. Carolyn takes an integrative approach to counseling, choosing to use the best practices of psychology that fit with a Christian philosophy. She is a lifelong resident of Georgia, is married, and has a twenty-two-year-old daughter in college. She is also “mom” to three dogs and 1 cat!

Biography pending.

Biography pending.

Biography pending.

Mrs. Andrea Pauls is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) and holds a Masters of Arts in Counseling from Denver Seminary. She has been practicing in the field of counseling for over 13 years. For 6 years she worked in Colorado in community mental health as a Child and Adolescent therapist exclusively. She has counseled at Formation Counseling Services since the fall of 2003.

Mrs. Pauls works primarily with women, children, adolescents and families. In treating children, she has a special interest in non-directive play therapy with younger children. She treats women’s issues of marital and relational stressors and adjustments, anxiety, depression and spiritual wrestlings. Mrs. Pauls longs for clients to experience God’s healing love for them in their counseling journey, and she incorporates faith directly in the sessions as the client prefers.

Biography pending. Will be posted soon.

Mrs. Schoder has been providing services for Formation Counseling Services for over twenty-five years. She is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor who specializes in crisis intervention, emotional, physical and sexual abuse, domestic violence, self-esteem, grief, parenting, anger management, behavioral issues secondary to developmental disabilities, deafness, and issues pertaining to Attention Deficit Disorder. She utilizes a variety of therapy modalities, including verbal psychotherapy, play therapy, art therapy techniques (including work with clay), and sand tray therapy. Mrs. Schoder is also a registered nurse. She integrates her counseling and nursing skills as she provides services related to stress management, multidisciplinary teamwork, and psychosocial assessments.

Andrea Scott, a native of Quitman, Ga, has been a resident of Valdosta, GA since 2004. Andrea has always possessed a passion for people and their well-being. This passion for helping and service to others led her to pursue a career in nursing. As a result, she obtained a diploma in Licensed Practical Nursing from Valdosta Technical College and then went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Valdosta State University. Andrea has enjoyed a rewarding career as a nurse in diverse areas such as mental health, prison, medical surgical and obstetrics/gynecology, since 2001. After much prayer and submission to His call, amid a global pandemic, Andrea’s focus shifted from assisting with optimal physical health to that of mental health. In 2020, she went back to her alma mater where she pursued and received a Master of Science in Marriage and Family therapy degree. Andrea is a Christian and is humbled to be of service to God through therapy and with His guidance, hopes to help bridge the gap between mental health and Christianity. She also serves as an MFT on an amazing team of professionals as an addiction and recovery facilitator at Bridgeway Recovery Center in Valdosta, GA.

Andrea has experience working with adolescents and adults who are challenged with mental health issues such as trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, addiction, and recovery, among others. Andrea is determined to assist people in formulating the tools and skills to overcome some of the mental health challenges they face. She is an advocate of positive change and believes that people often already possess the ability to do so with some coaching and direction.

Andrea loves God, her family, and her church. Her constant prayer is that her devotion to God mimics that of Paul’s:  “To the weak became I as weak, that I might win the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” I Cor. 9:22

Lindsey holds a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy & Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary. She works with individuals and couples on various issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, burnout, life transitions, grief, identity/ self-worth issues, and marital/ pre-marital therapy. Using evidence-based therapeutic tools, she helps clients experience relational wholeness, gain a deeper sense of self-worth and belonging, and draw upon inner resources that lead to growth and healing. She is passionate about integrating clients’ spiritual beliefs as sources of meaning and healing, for those who request it.

Lindsey’s work relies heavily upon family systems and attachment theory, which allow her to understand how relationships have shaped her clients’ views of themselves and others. She holds to the belief that humans have a fundamental need for belonging, and that learning to cultivate healthy relationships can restore our sense of self and repair the places where we’ve been wounded. Lindsey also utilizes EMDR to work towards healing from relational and complex trauma, allowing clients to experience daily life with reduced anxiety, fear, and hopelessness.

Lindsey brings a warm and genuine presence into the counseling room and is deeply honored to bear witness to her clients’ stories. She views counseling as just one of the many ways in which we may enter into the work of becoming who we are.

Lindsey is an Atlanta native and spends most of her time outside of the office with her husband and 14 year-old black lab. In her free time, she enjoys baking sourdough, sitting in backyards with close friends and family, riding her bike, and listening to live music.

Sonja Strack is a licensed independent social worker. She holds an undergraduate degree in sociology from the University of Minnesota and a masters degree in social work from the University of St. Thomas/St Catherine’s.

She believes that a primary means of change lies in developing a strong therapeutic and collaborative relationship. Sonja then utilizes a strengths based approach in working with clients to develop a unique fit to their personal needs. She draws form several modalities including, but not limited to, cognitive behavioral therapy, solution based work and play therapy.

Sonja works with all ages, in both individual and family settings. She has experience working with life transitions, anger, grief, depression, anxiety, parenting challenges and behavioral issues. When requested by the client, Sonja finds that seeking God authentically in session results in healing and can lead to life forming changes

Biography pending.

Stephanie is a native Georgian who has been in the field for over a decade. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Social Work with concentrations in both Psychopathology and Addiction from Kennesaw State University. She is also a fully Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Georgia. Much of Stephanie’s work has been within non-profit organizations, working with diverse populations and in a variety of treatment settings, including inpatient, outpatient, medical, institutional, and in the community. Though Stephanie’s experience has provided opportunities to work with many different individuals, some of her most meaningful work has been with clients who have severe and persistent mental illnesses, many of which are co-occurring. In addition, she specializes in behavioral and substance related addictions, personality disorders, mood disorders, and trauma. While Stephanie is trained in several therapeutic modalities to meet a client’s specific needs, helping clients to gain meaning, purpose and strength from their pain and struggle, a spiritual dilemma, has been a common thread in her work.

Mrs. Mary White is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with a Master’s Degree in Counseling. She has been practicing as a Christian Counselor with Formation Counseling Services for 34 years. She has a passion to help people develop a deeper relationship with God and is committed to being an instrument of God’s grace helping people through their challenges. She has been married to her husband, Brian, for 40 years and has two grown children. Mary has a passion to help premarital and married couples and is a certified provider of the SYMBIS assessment. She is Co-Owner of Integrity Leadership and Life Coaching, LLC as well as a Master Financial Coach for Dave Ramsey.

Her special interests are:

• Biblical direction
• Marital counseling
• Premarital counseling
• Women’s issues
• Depression / Anxiety
• Financial issues
• Difficulties with life transitions
• Grief issues and transitions
• Chronic illness challenges
• A deeper sense of meaning/purpose in life

Mr. Woods is a Licensed Independent Social Worker. He completed his Masters Degree in Social Work from New Mexico Highlands University. He served his internship at Formation Counseling Services (FCS) and maintained a part-time therapy presence there until he became a full time therapist with FCS in 2006. Mr. Woods has worked with children, adolescents, and adults in the therapeutic setting for thirteen years. He worked with children and adolescents in a rural New Mexico public school setting for three years and with adolescents in a private, group-home setting for six years.

While Mr. Woods is comfortable working with clients seeking a secular-based approach to psychotherapy, he believes that the most enduring transformation that an individual can experience is the healing that comes from their Heavenly Father’s hand. Mr. Woods feels it is his greatest privilege to assist his fellow pilgrims along that path.

His special interest areas include marital and premarital therapy, depression, anxiety, ADHD, gerontology, and dissociative identity disorder.

Fellowship with fellow believers and time with his wife, children and grandchildren are Mr. Woods’ greatest joys in life.