Meet our Counselors

AMBER cORTINES (MASTER OF ARTS, LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR-ASSOCIATE)

SUPERVISED BY LAURA SMITH, LPC-S, BCN

First and foremost, I am a child of God. I feel as if my purpose in life is to make Him and His Love known to others. It was through various life circumstances and a calling from the Lord that I began to pursue counseling in 2019. I was born and raised in Lufkin, Texas. I have been married to my husband since 2012 and together we have two daughters that are precious miracles from God. I completed my Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Penn Foster College in 2019. Upon completion of my Bachelors degree, I went on to receive my Master of Arts Degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University. I had the privilege of working with children as a public-school teacher. I serve at my home church as a women’s life group leader as well as serving as a children’s Sunday school teacher. I have a passion for working with children and adolescents as well as individuals. I value the importance of allowing others to feel seen and heard. I feel so honored that the Lord has called me to walk alongside others on their therapeutic journey. 

Felicia Cox,

Ma, LPC

(Master of Arts, Licensed Professional Counselor)

 Felicia has been pursuing counseling since 2013, when she first felt the Lord leading her to this field. Originally from California, Felicia moved to Nacogdoches in 2014 when she married her husband, Travis, who is from Nacogdoches. Felicia completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science from Stephen F. Austin State University and then went on to receive her Master of Arts degree in Counseling from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Felicia counsels from a trauma informed and attachment-based framework and believes experiencing connection through healthy relationships with others and God can lead to a more abundant and fulfilling life, mentally and physically.

Felicia has advanced training in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT) to better help couples understand the cycles of interaction that create conflict and distance in relationships and work to develop new patterns that establish and restore supportive bonds. Additionally, Felicia is trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy which helps negative or traumatic life experiences become less distressing and can lead to alleviation of symptoms commonly associated with anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and addictions.  Counseling is not just a job to Felicia, but rather a passion and ministry as she desires to walk alongside individuals, couples, and families as they navigate the peaks and valleys of life. In her spare time, Felicia enjoys running, strength training, cooking, baking bread, reading, and spending time with her family and friends.

Leah Hoechten,

MED, MA, LPC (Master of Education, Master of Arts, Licensed Professional Counselor)

Leah graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education, a Master of Education Degree, and a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling. She is a Texas Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified School Counselor, and Certified Educational Diagnostician. Leah, though not a registered play therapist, has received training and uses play therapy with children. She has also developed behavior intervention plans for children and worked with children and adults with special needs including those managing ADHD and Bipolar Disorder. Leah has a varied background that includes retirement from the public school system, teaching undergraduate college coursework, private counseling experience, as well as providing contract services with certain agencies. She is highly appreciative of the time she spent learning from a group of exceptional mental health specialists when she served as an educational liaison for the child/adolescent unit of a private psychiatric hospital. She is also very thankful to a special mentor and professor whom she regards as a Master Therapist who greatly contributed to her own personal “healing.”

Kallie Krawietz

LPC-S, RPT (Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor, Registered Play Therapist)

Kallie graduated in 2007 from Stephen F. Austin State University with an undergraduate degree in Communication Disorders. She relocated to Corpus Christi, Texas where she worked as a speech therapist in a school setting. Through prayers and support from her family, she began working towards a Master of Science Degree at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. During her internship she gained knowledge and experience through the University’s Counseling Clinic and a local community center. She facilitated court-referred group counseling for adolescents and families, teen parents, and “at-risk” children. While working with youth and parents presented an array of challenges, she felt it was not work but a privilege to work with these individuals.

Maura Messer, 

LCSW-S, RPT

(Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Supervisor, registered play therapist)

Maura is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who works with children, adolescents, and adults. Originally from the Spring, Texas area. Maura graduated from Stephen F Austin in 2010 and she and her husband, Shane, have established firm roots in Nacogdoches. She earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Houston and has worked extensively in various settings with families, attachment, trauma, and grief. Maura believes in meeting clients where they are and feels honored to be able to walk with them during their therapeutic journey. Maura’s commitment and thirst for knowledge drives her to provide the most comprehensive counseling services that she can. She is a certified LENS (Low Energy Neurofeedback System) provider and holds certifications in both Accelerated Resolution therapy (ART) and EMDR (Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).  Maura is currently pursuing certification as a Registered Play Therapist. She looks forward to the long-term impact healing will have on the individuals, families, and community she serves.

Linda Millican

LPC, lmft, lcdc  (licensed Professional counselor,  Licensed Marriage and Family therapist,  Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor)

Linda Millican is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor. She earned her Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Her undergraduate work includes a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Business Education from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, and a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies from Austin Theological Seminary in Austin, Texas.

Linda is passionate about working with couples and has certifications and training as a Gottman Couple and Marital Therapist Levels 1 and 2; a Gottman Relationship Checkup approved member; an Attachment-Based Intervention Specialist; and training with Dr. Sue Johnson, founder of Emotion Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT). Additionally, Linda is certified as a PREPARE/ENRICH facilitator which enables her to give assessments to couples and target treatment. She is as an Internationally Certified EMDR therapist and uses Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing to help clients resolve unprocessed traumatic memories which often contribute to diagnoses such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, and addictions.

Linda worked at a psychiatric hospital where she counseled adolescents, and adults and families who struggled with substance abuse, addictions, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. She acquired experience at Ft. Hood in Killeen, Texas counseling individuals affected by domestic violence, infidelity, and difficulties integrating into everyday life due to multiple deployments. Her most recent work includes private practice for 6 years in Central Texas.

Married to her husband of 38 years, Linda has three children, a daughter-in-law and son-in-law, and several grandchildren. Linda is passionate about working beside her clients as they gain tools for coping with life issues and discovering their God-given purpose for their lives.

STephen D. Wilke

PH.D., LMFT

(DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN PSYCHOLOGY, LICENSED MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST)



DrWilke has over four decades of experience in Clinical Psychology. He has served over 35 years in the field of Clinical Psychology. He earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a specialty in Organization, Marriage, and Family Systems. He has also been a licensed practitioner since 1990. Throughout his extensive career, DrWilke has made significant contributions to psychology, leadership, and the Christian health community through his clinical practice, researchwriting, and teaching. He is a recognized Clinical member of the Focus on the Family Christian Counseling Network.  DrWilke remains passionate about promoting mental, emotional and spiritual health.

 

 

Laura Smith,

LPC-S, BCN (Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor, Board Certified Neurofeedback)

Laura and her husband, Bobby, have been married for over 35 years and  have three adult children. With the exception of her relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, her relationship with her family is most important to her. After graduating from Baylor University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, she earned her Master’s degree in Counseling through Liberty University in 1992. She became a Licensed Professional Counselor in June 1996 and started  Crossover Counseling as a private practice in August of 1996. She continues to enjoy working with children, teenagers, adults, couples, and families. She sees a great deal of strength in her clients, especially with their survival through some very difficult situations. She considers it a privilege to get to have a firsthand view of the changes and victories that can and do take place in their lives and has spent several years being trained in assisting clients who have experiences trauma. She would also like to say an extra “thank you” to her husband for his continued understanding, love, and support.

Joshua Wheaton,

LPC (Licensed professional Counselor)

Joshua has lived in Nacogdoches for 30 plus years. He received his degree from Stephen F. Austin in 2004 in Criminal Justice and Sociology. He is available for counseling in the areas of Relationship/Divorce, Spiritual, Life Purpose, Family/Parenting, Wellness, and College Prep/Adjustment. Joshua says, “I believe counseling is going to bridge the ever-present gap between people’s dreams and individuals seeing their dreams come true. As counselors, we encourage, support, and push clients to discover and accomplish the goal(s) that they have set.” Joshua enjoys working with people and encouraging and watching them make improvements in their personal, family, social, and professional lives. 

Janae Wojasinski,

LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor)

Janae is a Licensed Professional Counselor who moved to Texas in 2010 from her native Oklahoma. She graduated from Oklahoma Wesleyan University with her Bachelor of Science degree in Behavioral Sciences and from Oral Roberts University with her Master of Arts degree in Christian Counseling. Janae has been involved in the local churches she has attended, including singing in the choir, leading worship, teaching children’s Sunday School and creating and leading a women’s ministry program. Janae’s experience in counseling includes working with children, adolescents, adults, families and couples. She has also worked with people who have many different mental health and life issues including depression, anxiety, ADHD, divorce, infidelity, self-esteem, anger management and Bipolar disorder

Susan Moore,

LPC (LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR)

Susan has considered herself to be a life-long learner. She received her Bachelor of Integrated Studies from Texas Tech in 2015 and continued her education with a Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Mental Health counseling from Stephen F Austin University in 2018. After graduating from SFASU, Susan worked at a local agency with clients who were in crisis and later as a team lead in a program focused on treatment for those experiencing their first psychotic episodes. Susan also has considerable experience with helping clients make progress through depression, anxiety, grief-loss, PTSD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia, and substance misuse. Susan is certified in Motivational Interviewing and has extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Susan’s hobbies include piano, gardening, watching old movies, and learning about history. Susan appreciates the uniqueness of individuals who come from various backgrounds. She believes that developing healthy relationships with self and others is key to assisting clients in creating positive change in their lives. She understands that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to counseling and feels whatever background or spiritual belief her clients have experienced, her purpose is to be a vessel of love and encouragement.  

Hadley Dotson, MSW (Master of Social work,

Supervised by Maura Messer, LCSW-S)

Hadley is originally from East Texas, and graduated from SFASU with a Bachelor of Social Work in 2023. She graduated from Baylor University in August 2024 with her Master of Social  Work. Her and her husband love Nacogdoches, and enjoy serving in ministry together.

Hadley believes in a strength-based approach, and enjoys watching people find the strengths and values within themselves.  Hadley has counseled both children and adults, and feels privileged to work with anyone she crosses paths with. 

Gary Davis, 

LPC- Intern (SuperVISed by Laura SMith, LPC-s)

Gary has served in full-time ministry for the past 20+ years with the Baptist Student Ministry. For the last 16 years, he has been the Director of the Baptist Student Ministry at Stephen F. Austin State University. Gary began pursuing his Master of Arts in Counseling degree from B.H. Carrol Theological Seminary in August of 2022. He is an LPC-Intern but will graduate in December of 2024 and become an LPC-Associate. He has served various individuals throughout his ministry and helped lead many out of crisis and different life adjustments. He cares deeply for individuals to be healthy mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Originally from Tennessee, Gary graduated from Tarleton State University in 2002 with his Bachelor of Science in Horticulture. He also received his Master of Arts in Christian Education from Dallas Baptist University in 2007. He has been married to his wife, Krista, for 20 years. They have three children who are homeschooled ranging in ages from 16 to 11. Their family loves spending time together playing games, being outdoors, and trips to the zoo!


Office Staff

    Delaney ramsey

    Office Manager

    Gabriela Llanas

    Assistant Office Manager

    Magdalena davalos

    Office Staff