Meet Our Counselors

Education

Bio

Darin Griffiths is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) and holds a License in Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT), both recognized by the Board of Examiners in Counseling of the State of Texas. He joined the STCH Ministries staff in 2005, was named Director of Education and Ministry in 2008, named Administrative Director of Corpus Christi and Satellite Offices in 2014, and became Vice President of Family Counseling in 2017.

Darin holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, and also graduated from Southwestern Theological Seminary. He holds three Master of Arts degrees in the areas of Marriage and Family Therapy and Christian Education. He specializes in working with couples and individuals who are experiencing relationship challenges, and practices a Solution Focused approach to therapy. This involves tailoring interventions to fit a client’s specific needs, in hopes of maximizing positive results. Additionally, his work usually involves some cognitive-behavioral interventions.

Darin also has an extensive history working in a ministerial capacity with churches and is a licensed and ordained minister. He is available to speak in private seminar settings on a variety of parenting and marriage topics, as well as pulpit supply in the absence of a pastor or for special occasions. Darin also is available to lead Marriage Enrichment seminars upon request.

Darin is married to Caren and they have two children, Hadley and Hayden. The family enjoys the outdoors together, especially working with farm animals, as well as hunting, fishing, and shooting sports.

Education

Bio

Joanna Berry is the Vice President of Family and International Ministries. After beginning in 1996 as a part-time therapist in Corpus Christi, Joanna was asked to assume the Director of Counseling position at STCH Ministries Family Counseling. Under her leadership Family Counseling grew and expanded significantly, and in 2017 she passed the baton to Darin Griffiths as this ministry’s new vice president. In addition to the counseling ministry, she also helped establish Christian Women’s Job Corp (CWJC) of Corpus Christi, which we now call Faith & Work.

In 2006, Joanna was asked to lead in the development of STCH Ministries International, focusing on ministering to children and families internationally, and was also named a vice president. Her passion has always been families, believing that the family is critical in the development of children, and that it is the foundation of churches and communities. She is available to speak on marriage and the family, and often speaks on the value of the family serving together, which is a strong focus of our international trips.

Joanna holds a master’s degree in clinical social work from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas. Prior to STCH Ministries, Joanna worked in a family business with her husband and raised three children. She and her husband, John, are the proud grandparents of 11 grandchildren. They attend and minister at First Baptist Church, Corpus Christi.

Education

Bio

Charny Beck became the Regional Director for the Houston area in September of 2016. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker – Supervisor (LCSW-S), recognized by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners. Charny holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Baylor University and a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. She is certified as an educational diagnostician from the University of Houston at Victoria and holds her teacher certification in Early Childhood to 6th grade and in Special Education for Pre-K to 12th grade.

Charny has worn many hats in a variety of counseling and social service areas over the years. She began her career serving as Director of Social Services and Social Worker at an ICF-MR Level 5 facility for adults with mental retardation. She then worked for the Kaufman County Juvenile Probation Department on a grant that provided crisis intervention family counseling services to families where the children were most at risk for placement at Texas Youth Commission. After this opportunity, she transitioned to early childhood intervention for five years as an intake coordinator and social worker in the areas of Waco and North Dallas. Charny also has experience contracting in school settings as a clinical social worker and special education counselor. Most recently Charny has also maintained a private practice over the past several years. She now serves at STCH Ministries and each day she looks forward to using her faith and relationship with Christ to pour into the lives of people that God sends her way through our Family Counseling ministry. She calls it an honor and blessing to walk alongside families and children as they walk through the valleys of life.

Originally from Plano, Texas, Charny now calls the Houston area home. She is married to Randy, and they have four beautiful daughters: Allyson, Ashley, Abby, and Anna Kate. Randy is a pastor of a local church and serves at the local association over the church planting division. The Becks are active in their church and have hosted a weekly small group in their home for over 10 years. They also work closely with Attack Poverty, a local ministry that serves the population that struggles with generational poverty in their local community. The Beck family also believes in ministering internationally, going on multiple short-term mission trips a year to Belize and Antigua. They minister through teacher trainings for special education to invest in lives of children with special needs.

Education

Bio

Dosely Antongiorgi is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) licensed by the State of Texas. She counsels individuals and families and serves as Regional Director for the San Antonio area. Dosely’s experience primarily includes working with at-risk children dealing with grief, trauma, and violence. She is excited and humbled to be working for an organization that glorifies God and seeks to make His name known.

Dosely earned her bachelor’s degree in 2001 from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi in Kinesiology, with a Sports Medicine emphasis. She also holds a Master of Arts in Counseling degree from the University of Texas – San Antonio.

Dosely was born in Guatemala but raised in Corpus Christi, Texas. She has called San Antonio her home for the past 13 years. She has one son, Giovanni, who is six years old. Dosely and Giovanni love spending time together, building with Legos and riding bikes. They attend Grace Point Church, where Dosely serves as a mission’s representative, linking missionaries to the church through prayer and support.

Education

Bio

Lorena Mendez is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) licensed by the Board of Examiners in Counseling of the State of Texas. She is also a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (RPT-S) registered by The National Association of Play Therapy. Lorena joined the STCH Ministries staff in 2006 and counsels families, individuals, children, and adolescents. She also serves as Regional Director for the Corpus Christi area.

Lorena holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and Marketing and a Master of Science degree in Counseling from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi. She also supervises graduate students through their counseling program internship and LPC Interns through their 3000 hour post graduate internship to become fully licensed. Lorena speaks at various seminars, workshops, and community events.

Lorena stays busy raising her teenage son, Sabastian. She feels honored to be the one he calls Mom and has been blessed to watch him grow into the man God has called him to be. They attend Church Unlimited in Corpus Christi where God has moved greatly in their lives.

Education

Bio

Lorraine is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) in the state of Texas. She has been with STCH Ministries since 2007 and counsels individuals and families, including children, teens, and adults. Lorraine especially enjoys working with couples to help strengthen their marriages. She is also a Certified Irlen Screener. When her daughter Emily was diagnosed with Irlen Syndrome, she saw the difference this treatment made in Emily’s academics; she knew she had to help others as well.

Lorraine counsels from a Cognitive Behavioral approach, while using God’s word and His principles to help individuals find peace and hope in their lives. She is available to provide training and presentations on a variety of topics, such as “Men are Like Waffles and Women are Like Spaghetti”, “Boundaries for Kids”, “Conflict Resolutions Within Relationships”, and “ADHD and Other Childhood Behavioral Issues”.

Lorraine holds a Bachelor of Behavioral Science degree in Psychology from Hardin-Simmons University and a Master of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Houston – Victoria.

Prior to joining STCH Ministries, Lorraine worked at Gulf Bend MHMR Center for 14 years. Lorraine and her husband, Gary, have two children, Colton and Emily. The Turner family attends First Baptist Church in Victoria.

Education

Bio

Aaron Martinez was called to counseling in order to help those in need navigate issues they otherwise would keep to themselves. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor and has served at our counseling office in Victoria since September 2015.

Aaron holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Hardin-Simmons University (HSU), with a major in communications and a minor in religion. He also holds a Master of Education in Counseling and Human Development from HSU. While earning his master’s degree, Aaron worked as a youth pastor for three years. Aaron also has experience working with domestic violence victims and juvenile offenders with offenses that are aggressive in nature.

Originally from a small town in west Texas called Clyde, Aaron now resides in Victoria, Texas. He is married to Brianna, and they enjoy spending time in the outdoors and with family and close friends.

Education

Bio

Carolyn Cocklin joined the STCH Ministries staff in 2015 and is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensed by the Board of Examiners in Counseling of the State of Texas. Carolyn has spent her time at STCH Ministries counseling children, adolescents, couples, and individuals of all ages in issues related to depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, and relational challenges. She holds a B.S. in Health Science from Texas A&M University and earned her Master of Arts in Counseling from Dallas Theological Seminary. She is certified in TF-CBT (Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and is trained in play therapy, currently working towards becoming a Registered Play Therapist. Carolyn finds it a privilege and joy to walk with others in the courage of vulnerability and towards life change.

Carolyn is originally from Denton, Texas, and lived overseas from ages 10-18. She returned to the US to attend Texas A&M University before relocating to Dallas for 5 years. During this time she worked as a Resident Counselor at a Residential Treatment Center for foster children, as well as a Client Advocate at a Pregnancy Resource Center. She also completed a year long internship at the Children’s Advocacy Center for Denton County where she counseled hurting children, adolescents, and their families who were recovering from traumatic experiences.

Carolyn is married to Jason, and they are actively involved in their church where they act as liaisons between their church and outreach programs. They also volunteer at their local Pregnancy Resource Center. Carolyn and Jason like spending time outdoors, especially kayaking and fishing together. You can also find Carolyn enjoying hands-on creative projects, like home renovations.

Education

Bio

Karen Knowlton is a Licensed Professional Counselor recognized by the Board of Examiners in Counseling of the State of Texas, as well as a Registered Play Therapist. She counsels children who are in-care at our Homes for Children ministry. Working in this position was her goal since becoming a counselor, in order to help make a difference in the lives of the children at Boothe Campus.

Karen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education with a Kindergarten endorsement. She also holds a Master of Arts degree in Counseling from the University of Houston in Victoria. She taught in public school for 25 years in a variety of grade levels, from Kindergarten to 8th grade. Her husband, Chuck, also taught for 30 years as a band director.

Karen and Chuck have been members of First Baptist Church in Beeville since 1991. They have four grown children – Chad, wife Erin; Randi, husband Josh; Kelsey, who is in college to become a teacher; and Taylor, who is a Dental Hygienist. Karen and Chuck enjoy spending time with their children and four grandchildren – Abby, Carly, Josh Cole, and Presley Knowlton. In her free time, Karen also enjoys reading, quilting, and camping with her husband.

Education

Bio

Kimberly Collins was first introduced to STCH Ministries as a graduate student, where she saw first-hand that counseling is more than a mental health practice, it is a ministry. Kimberly completed her practicum at our Family Counseling office in Victoria and was hired on as a family counselor in September 2016.  Kimberly now serves at our counseling offices in the Houston area as a Licensed Professional Counselor.

A graduate of both Howard Payne University and Dallas Theological Seminary, Kimberly holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and graduated with honors with a Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling. Kimberly’s experience includes serving as a youth pastor at First Baptist Church in Palacios for two years. She has also served with the mission team at FBC Palacios in Cali, Columbia, since 2008. Kimberly makes it her daily goal in life to make Christ known and, as Philippians 3:13 says, looking forward to what lies ahead, an eternity with her Savior.

Kimberly grew up in Bay City and loves to travel, particularly when it involves a trip to her grandparents’ ranch in Blessing, Texas, or going to Disney World. She had the honor of performing at the 2012 Olympics in London with a gospel musical group called Winds of Triumph. Kimberly is married to Matthew, a high school football coach, and they have a dog named Oliver. Kimberly and Matthew are loyal fans of the Dallas Cowboys and attend RiverPointe Church in Richmond, Texas.

Education

Bio

Leah Harris is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), serving as a family therapist at our counseling office in Corpus Christi. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from St. Edwards University and a Master of Science in Professional Counseling from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi. She is also pursuing her doctorate.

Leah is affiliated with the American Counseling Association and served as the president of the Chi Sigma Iota honors society during her masters. She is passionate about working with children, adolescents, and parents, having worked in private practice settings with all age groups. Through Christian counseling, Leah shares with her clients the love of Christ and how they can find comfort in knowing He will never leave them or forsake them (Deut. 31:6) and is an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).

Leah is originally from Georgetown, Texas, where she lived for most of her life before moving to Corpus Christi. She is married to Sterling, and they are expecting their first child this fall. They also have two dogs that are a special part of their family. Leah and Sterling are very active and enjoy working out, as well as spending quality time together and being involved with their church. Leah serves at her church in the children’s ministry, as a prayer partner, and worshipping the Lord through music.

Education

Bio

Leslee O’Neal, a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) licensed by the State of Texas, joined STCH Ministries in 2008 as a Family Therapist. Since that time she has counseled multiple families and individuals, specializing in grief therapy, temperament profiling, and pre-marital & marriage counseling. Leslee is a certified ARNO Temperament Specialist, a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist (CGRS), and is registered with Twogether in Texas as a pre-marital specialist.

With a BA in Elementary Education and an MS in Clinical Counseling, Leslee supervises graduate students presently in internship programs, as well as supervising soon-to-be licensed counseling interns. She also develops opportunities for fellow staff members to speak at seminars, workshops, churches, and other organizations.

Leslee is a former elementary teacher who has been married over 30 years, and has two grown sons, both of whom are pursuing their dreams in LA and New York.

Education

Bio

Lisa Latcham is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), National Certified Counselor (NCC), and a Registered Play Therapist (RPT). She serves as a family counselor at our counseling office in Beeville and counsels children in care at Boothe Campus. She considers it a privilege to serve individuals and families in our community who may otherwise not have access to Christian-based counseling, helping those in difficult circumstances in a loving and caring manner.

Before coming to STCH Ministries, Lisa spent 26 years in the public school system as a teacher for both middle and high school and as a school counselor. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Southwestern University and a Master of Education in Counseling from University of Houston – Victoria. Her educator certifications are in Secondary Science and School Counseling.

Lisa and her husband, Chip, have been married for 34 years and are active members of First United Methodist Church in Beeville. They have three grown children who are triplets, Eric, Julie, and Lesley, and who all live in Austin. Their son Eric is married to Katie and they have one son, Parker. Lisa and Chip love spending time with their family, especially with their grandson. They also love to travel, garden, and hunt.

Education

Bio

Rachel James is passionate about helping people and sharing her faith. She serves as a Licensed Professional Counselor at our Family Counseling office in Victoria. Rachel is certified in PREPARE/ENRICH, a resource that is incredibly beneficial when working with couples.

Rachel received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Howard Payne University, and holds a Master of Arts in Counseling from East Texas Baptist University. Rachel is a member of Psi Chi, an honorary fraternity for psychology and counseling majors. Before joining the staff at STCH Ministries, Rachel worked at Hearlight Ministries in East Texas, a boarding school for troubled teens. This greatly impacted her life and redirected her ministry path towards counseling. A verse that she uses most often in counseling to help guide her clients through dark and hard times is 1 Peter 2:4, “As you come to Him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious.”

Originally from Decatur, Texas, Rachel calls the Dallas-Fort Worth area home. She currently resides in Victoria and is married to a wonderful man named Sam James. Rachel enjoys reading, watching TV, going on walks, and spending time with her dog.

Education

Bio

Vincent Porter is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensed by the Board of Examiners in Counseling of the State of Texas. Vincent has been with STCH Ministries since 2011 where he counsels couples, families, individuals, children, and adolescents. Vince also has a background in addictions counseling.

Vincent holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Oklahoma State University and a Master of Education degree in Counseling from the University of Houston – Victoria, where he graduated as a member of Chi Sigma Iota.

Vincent worked as a Special Education Teacher and Vocational Adjustment Coordinator for nine years. He has also been a School Counselor since 2003 and is knowledgeable in the areas of career counseling, parent rights, and child advocacy for children of special needs. Vincent’s approach to therapy is eclectic and depends on client needs. He uses a wide range of techniques including Bowen Family Systems, Cognitive Behavioral, and Solution Focus Therapy interventions.

Vincent has attended and served Parkway Church, Victoria, leading children’s ministries, divorce care, and recovery ministry since 1994. Vincent credits STCH Ministries and its leadership with affording families opportunities that are not available elsewhere, and providing a purposeful forum to move them towards God’s purpose. Vincent supports his son in church and in school, where he is a “Straight A” student and a member of the Gifted and Talented program. Vince also enjoys hunting, fishing, weight training, and outdoor sports with his son.

Education

Bio

Amalia Everett is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and an LPC-Intern at our Family Counseling office in San Antonio. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health, both from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). Amalia joined the STCH Ministries family in the summer of 2016.  She is thankful to be a part of what God is doing through the ministry, loving people and honoring the Lord by the way we take care of those He created.

Amalia’s career has included 7 years at UTSA while she earned her degrees, working with children at a bereavement center, and working with women and girls at an eating recovery center in San Antonio. She believes in meeting people where they are at, no matter how broken they are, and walking alongside them.

Amalia grew up in the hill county in Sabinal, Texas, and married her husband Zachary shortly after coming to STCH Ministries. They have one dog, Chloe, who is a Shih Tzu. Amalia and Zachary attend City Church in San Antonio. In her free time, Amalia enjoys volunteering, hiking, running, and spending time with family and friends.

Education

Bio

Danielle Ojeabulu is an LPC-Intern and is currently preparing for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapy Associate. She is a Certified Professional Christian Life Coach and Certified Stress Relief Coach.

She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia, and also graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary where she received a Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. She specializes in working with couples and families who are experiencing relationship challenges, and uses a Brief Solutions-focused and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approach to counseling. She also works with children using play therapy.

Danielle is trained in EMDR therapy and has extensive experience working with individuals suffering from multiple traumatic backgrounds, including sexual abuse and sex trafficking. She desires to assist families, churches, and communities reduce the incidence of this violence by means of awareness via speaking engagements and seminars.

She is also trained in various modalities which will help restore marriages and relationships, such as Prepare-Enrich and The Ridge Project’s Couples Communication. She is currently completing Gottman Level I and II training.

Danielle is married to Charles and they have three children, Jabari, Israel, and Judah. The family enjoys going to the beach and long serene road trips up the eastern coast. They desire to tackle the west one day in the future.

Education

Bio

Desirae Contreras serves as an LPC-Intern at STCH Ministries Family Counseling in Corpus Christi, Texas, where she inspires clients to see how God is working in their lives (Ephesians 3:20). She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Science in Counseling from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Desirae is a member of the Texas Counseling Association (TCA) and the American Counseling Association (ACA), and she has served as secretary for Chi Sigma Iota (Counseling Honor Society).

As part of her life-long passion for helping others, Desirae has received specialized training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and is working towards becoming a Registered Play Therapist. Before coming to STCH Ministries, she worked as an adjunct professor at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and as an intern at Corpus Christi ISD.

Desirae was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, and is married to Hector, who serves in the United States Air Force. In her free time, Desirae enjoys attending church, cycling classes, and going on adventures with her husband and their puppy Finley.

Education

Bio

Kelly Harris is a native of Washington state, but spent most of her adulthood in California. She moved to Corpus Christi in 2015 and now serves at STCH Ministries counseling offices in Corpus Christi and Rockport, Texas. Kelly is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Intern (LPC-Intern), National Certified Counselor (NCC), and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist-Associate (LMFT-Associate). Kelly earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at California State University, Stanislaus. She also holds a Master of Science in Counseling from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

Kelly’s lifelong dream has been to become a professional counselor and she has received specialized training in trauma cases and working with children and adolescents, couples, and families. As a therapist, she knows God is not finished with us yet and we are all a “work in progress” (see Philippians 1:6). Kelly feels called to hold out that “candle of hope” for her clients, providing a safe place to be real and to allow for growth and change.

Kelly and her husband, Randy, have been married since 2015. Together they share Kelly’s two grown children, Matt and Megan, one adorable grandchild, and a toy poodle named Harley. They attend church at Yorktown Baptist Church in Corpus Christi, where Kelly teaches Kid’s Bible Fellowship and sings in the choir. Kelly is a mentor with Kid’s Hope and the current president of the Gulf Coast Counseling Association. She also enjoys exercising and reading a good book at home.

Education

Bio

Mark Kass loves seeing the Holy Spirit bring beauty to broken places and restoration and redemption of hurting lives through counseling. God lead him to become a part of our counseling team in Houston in 2018, where he serves as a Licensed Professional Counselor-Intern. Mark holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska; a Juris Doctor degree from St. Mary’s School of Law in San Antonio, Texas; and a Master of Arts in Counseling, graduating Summa Cum Laude, from Houston Graduate School of Theology in Houston, Texas.

After practicing as a licensed attorney for nearly twenty-five years, Mark is now working towards becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor. Throughout his career, he has held positions representing destitute immigrants, doing civil litigations and transactional work at various law firms, managing real estate at oil and gas and communication companies, and owning his own real estate law office for seven years.

Mark has been married to his wife Kathy for 15 years, and has raised four children: Gina, John Mark, Priya, and Jeremy. Although Mark was born in Iowa, he has called Texas home for the last 30 years. Mark has spent three decades of his life doing volunteer ministry work with youth, college-age, adults, and married couples, including missions work in the Philippines and Kenya. He is currently in leadership at the Fil-Am CRC Church, a Filipino church plant in Pearland, Texas, where he is preparing to seek his preaching license. In his free time, Mark enjoys sports, traveling, and spending time with his family, and of course…. karaoke.

Education

Bio

Pam Frink became an LPC-Intern at our counseling office in Victoria, Texas, in the fall of 2017. She was attracted to work at STCH Ministries for the opportunity to reach and serve others for Christ. She feels honored to walk alongside people who are hurting and introduce them to the great Healer.

Pam holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin, as well as a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling from Liberty University. She has past experience working with children and adolescents at a state hospital and male and female offenders in the state prison system. Pam is currently being trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for treating traumatic experiences.

As a single mom of two children, Pam knows her biggest personal accomplishment is her children. She loves traveling with her family and spending time outdoors. She also actively serves in the children’s ministry at her church. Pam loves college football and is an active member of the UT Longhorn Alumni Band. Go Horns!

Education

Bio

Wilton Lee “Jay” Tegeler believes that God called him to the mission field in counseling to assist hurting people who are in need of God’s truth and guidance and His message of hope and healing. Jay joined our staff in July 2017 and serves as an LPC-Intern at our counseling office in Victoria, Texas, the town where Jay was born and raised. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from University of Houston – Victoria, as well as a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology.

Jay has served in ministry for almost twenty years. He has held many positions as a worship leader, youth director, interim pastor, and currently serves as pastor of Emmanuel Church in Inez, Texas. His ministry experiences have taken him to Central Asia, Mexico, Canada, and various state-side areas to provide for immediate needs and spread the word of God’s love. Jay believes that nothing truly great is ever achieved without hard work and sacrifice. As 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “God has not given us a spirit of fear or timidity, but He has given to us love, power, and a sound mind.”

Jay has been married to his wife, Valeri, for almost thirty years and they have three children: Zachori, Kohlton, and Emerald. In his free time, Jay enjoys time with his family, music, sports, and anything competitive.