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Executive Director, MA, LIMHP, LMHC, LPC, CDGC

Chuck earned his Master’s degree in Counseling from Western Seminary in Portland, OR in 1997. He is a licensed therapist in both Nebraska and Iowa. He joined his father at Spence Counseling Center in 1999, and since 2010 has overseen the operation as Executive Director. His counseling experience expands over 20 years and involves meeting with men and women of all ages in the areas of marriage, family, depression, anxiety and addictions. Currently, he spends most of his time observing the growth of the individual therapist and the counseling center as a whole. Chuck has a passion for writing, public speaking, and mentoring new therapists, but none greater than helping people find genuine healing by solving issues at the core. Chuck is married to his wife, Rhonda and together they have two great kids, Karyna and Joel.

Administrative Assistant

Katelyn has a Bachelor of Arts in Medical Humanities from Baylor University and more than six years’ experience in administrative work in a healthcare setting. She is passionate about helping people find joy and healing in all aspects of their lives. She loves to get to know people and hear their stories. She specifically enjoys working within a healthcare setting because it is very rewarding and humbling to assist people on their journey of healing. In her free time, Katelyn enjoys drawing, painting, and playing the violin. When it is nice outside, she likes to go for nature walks.

Administrative Assistant

Laura Thompson has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Grace University and an Associates in Communication as well. Laura grew up in the Omaha area and has worked with a diverse group of people in many different business settings. She enjoys interacting with both the clients and therapists. Laura has been married since 2005 and has three girls. In her free time, she coaches cheerleading.

Director of Operations

Rhonda earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Her experience includes records management, organization, insurance contract credentialing, claims recovery, billing/insurance issues, and project management. She has worked as Spence Counseling Center’s Director of Operations since 2006. She has oversight of all administrative staff, interfaces with all outside vendors and clinical staff, and has been part of the management team since 2008. She and Chuck have two children and in her spare time enjoys time with their family and loves to read.

MS, PLMHP, LCMSW

Bio coming soon.

PsyD, Clinical Psychologist

Jessica works in our Lawrence, KS office as a psychologist. She received her Doctorate of Clinical Psychology from George Fox University. Her specialties include the treatment of adolescent, adult, and geriatric populations along with Individual and couples therapy. She specializes in treatment of insomnia, chronic pain, PTSD/trauma related issues, anxiety and depression, health behavior modification such as assistance with diabetes management, weight loss, smoking cessation, and spiritual integration. She enjoys having the privilege of meeting people where they are in the midst of their pain, being provided the opportunity to speak truth into their situation, and walk alongside them through their healing process. Her hobbies include watching KU basketball, exercising, and spending time with family and friends.

MA, LMHP, LPC, PLADC

Chris has over 35 years of experience working with children, youth, adults, and the elderly. She received her Bachelors from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln and her Masters in Counseling from Doane University. She is currently pursuing her PhD in counseling as well. She specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT), Mindfulness, Crisis Response Training (CRT), Addictions, Marriage and Family, parenting issues, Anger Management, and integrating Biblical principles. She enjoys counseling because it is a privilege to be able to accompany others on their life journey helping them discover and find meaning in experiences and resolutions to problems. Her philosophy is “you matter because you are a unique creation, intricately made.” When she is not helping others, you can find her spending time with her family and pets or expressing herself through music, art, landscaping, and interior design.

MA, PLMHP

Betsy is passionate about assisting individuals, couples, and families as they navigate difficult circumstances that life and relationships bring. She offers a compassionate ear and applicable resources to help her clients. Betsy utilizes evidenced-based theories and a trauma-informed approach to understand each situation while acknowledging that Christ is the ultimate source of healing. She strives to help clients identify and adapt core beliefs that may lead to or result from anxiety, depression, PTSD/trauma, relationship distress, grief, and a variety of other concerns, in order to promote true freedom in life and relationships. Betsy is EMDR trained and earned her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln.

MA, PLMHP

Shelly earned her Master’s degree in Professional Counseling through Mid-America Christian University and is a member of the American Association for Christian Counselors. She has been known for her down-to-earth style, and has a heart for helping people transform through mind renewal and finding their health/wholeness in Christ. She seeks to tailor therapy to the needs of each individual client, but enjoys creative/artistic assignments and integrating veins of therapy such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, while integrating things with a spiritual perspective to best help with anxiety, grief, depression, trauma, misplaced self-worth/identity, relationship issues, emotional eating, boundaries, and discovering passion in life. Shelly is enjoying her journey with Spence Counseling and finds it a privilege to care for every client walking through her door.

BS, MS, LIMHP

Becky earned her Master’s in Clinical Counseling from Bellevue University. She also holds a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice from the University of Nebraska – Omaha. Becky specializes in Psychoanalytic Therapy, PTSD, Family Therapy, and is trained in utilizing a trauma-informed approach when needed. In her free time, Becky loves learning about and preparing new foods, and spending all her time with her three sons. She began her counseling work within the correctional system, providing therapy to incarcerated adults. She also worked extensively with juveniles who have experienced severe trauma within their lives. She has a passion for working with families to ultimately achieve growth and problem solving. Becky believes that through God, she can fulfill her true potential as a mental health therapist.

MA, LMHP, LPC
Terapia en Español.

Amelia holds a MS in Rural Development as well as her MA in Mental Health and Counseling from Grace University. She specializes in Couples, Family, and Children’s Therapy, and caters to those who speak either English or Spanish. She loves traveling home to Columbia and visiting her family. Amelia finds that helping people is like giving a glass of clean water to a thirsty person and then show them the way to the fountain so that they can go and drink the water by themselves. She loves to see how the Holy Spirit empowers people to make the right changes in their lives so that they can heal, healthy and whole.

MS, PLMHP, PLADC

Kristen earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling from Bellevue University. She also hold a Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management from Bellevue University. Kristen has experience working with adolescents and adults in group settings, individual therapy, family therapy, and marital therapy. Her specialty involves co-dependency, co-occurring mental health and addiction diagnoses, anxiety, depression, gender issues, grief and loss, and relationships. Kristen is excited to work at Spence Counseling and get the opportunity to work with a variety of people.

MA, LIMHP, LADC, CPC

Joan has over 25 years of experience in the mental health and addiction fields of psychotherapy. Joan has experience working with adults and adolescents in group settings, individual therapy, family therapy, and marital therapy. Specializing in relationships, co-dependency, co-occurring mental health and addiction diagnoses, grief and loss, parenting, anxiety, depression, and trauma informed care. Joan has a passion for using evidence based therapeutic practices to generate and encourage core changes consistent with a Christian perspective. She is also certified to provide chemical evaluations to individuals involved in the justice system or to those who need a chemical/mental health evaluation for various other reasons. Joan attended Creighton University and later received her Master’s degree in Counseling from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

PhD, Clinical Psychologist

Kevin received his doctorate in Psychology from Colorado State University. He has been practicing for the last 28 years. He specializes with those dealing with anxiety/panic attacks, marriage, counseling; working with children and adolescents with behavioral problems; those with addiction, and pain management. He chose this path because it gives him the privilege and opportunity to serve God and others, alike. In his off time he enjoys spending time with his family, pheasant hunting, fishing and cooking with his wife.

MA, LIMHP, LPC

Patricia helps individuals and families with a variety of relational and mental health issues such as anxiety, depressions, PTSD, trauma, parenting, and family of origin issues. She enjoys working with couples experiencing problems with communication, trust, and intimacy. She utilizes a variety of counseling approaches including cognitive-behavioral, narrative, solution focused, interpersonal and faith based approaches. Patricia is accredited by the National Board for Certified Counselors, and is a member of the American Counseling Association and the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation.

MS, LIMHP, LADC, LPC

Lori has 30 years of experience in the field of counseling and education; working with individuals, groups, and families dealing with addiction issues, including evaluations and recommendations to meet legal requirements. Specializing in relationships, family and blended family dynamics, life stage transition, grief and loss, parenting, anxiety, depression, and sexual trauma. Lori has a passion for using evidence based therapeutic practices to generate and encourage core changes consistent with God’s truth. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management and Master’s degrees in Human Services and Clinical Counseling. She also has a certificate in Biblical Discipleship Counseling and is a member of the American Association for Christian Counselors.

MS, LIMHP, LMHC, CDGC, NCC

Megan earned her Master’s degree in Community Counseling from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2007. She is a licensed therapist in both Nebraska and Iowa. Megan has been with Spence Counseling Center since 2008, working with clients in the Omaha and Council Bluffs locations. Megan sees clients of all ages and has experience with gambling addiction, marriage, family, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and grief issues. She enjoys getting to see growth in her clients as they allow the Holy Spirit to bring about healing and change.

PhD, Clinical Psychologist

Kevin received his doctorate in Psychology from Colorado State University. He has been practicing for the last 28 years. He specializes with those dealing with anxiety/panic attacks, marriage, counseling; working with children and adolescents with behavioral problems; those with addiction, and pain management. He chose this path because it gives him the privilege and opportunity to serve God and others, alike. In his off time he enjoys spending time with his family, pheasant hunting, fishing and cooking with his wife.

Clinical Director, MSW, LIMHP, LISW, LCSW

Mark earned his Master’s of Social Work degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2006. He is a licensed therapist in both Nebraska and Iowa. Mark has been a part of the Spence Counseling Center family since 2006 and meets with individuals at the Omaha, Council Bluffs and Red Oak, IA locations. He has counseling experience with marriage, family, depression, anxiety, grief, PTSD/trauma, spiritual issues, and ADHD. Mark sees anyone from ten years old and up, including elderly individuals. He integrates Christian principles into his counseling work. He enjoys helping the people he meets discover how our Creator designed them, and the purposes for which He created them.