Meet the Presenters
(listed in alphabetical order)
-
Jennifer Armstrong, LSCSW, Heritage Family Counseling Services
Jennifer is a Licensed Special Clinical Social Worker at Heritage Family Counseling who received her Master in Social Work from Washburn University in Topeka, KS, and her undergraduate in sociology from Biola University in Southern California.
Jennifer recognizes that the very fact that we are human means that we have at one time or another experienced a “trauma”. These “traumas” can be large or small disturbances and can distort one’s understanding, experiences, behaviors, and relationships. Jennifer’s therapeutic approach will assist in decreasing these disturbances and distortions which will lead to one’s increased capacity for clarity, direction and alignment for a purpose driven life. Jennifer’s faith informs her that this “purpose driven life” is found in a relationship first with God and then in relationship with others.
-
Lisa Bellecci St. Romain, LSCSW, All Things Counseling and Life Coaching
Lisa M. Bellecci-st.romain is a Christian clinical social worker in private practice (All Things Counseling) in Wichita since 2009. Prior to that, she worked for 18 years in the Wichita public schools, and taught Psychology and Sociology at Baker University SPGS for 11 years. Lisa’s training relevant to Trauma is EMDR (Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), Brainspotting, Attachment Disorders, and Dissociation, and she is currently in the Intermediate level of Somatic Experience (SE) training. She also has a master’s in Pastoral Theology. Lisa’s specialties are trauma work and marriage counseling, with training in the Gottman method. She is a member of NASW, EMDRIA, and the SE network. Her article on “EMDR with Recurrent Flash-Forwards” appeared in the EMDR Journal of Practice and Research, Vol 7, #2, in 2013.
-
Jen Bruening, LCMFT, Heritage Family Counseling Services
Jennifer is a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist at Heritage Family Counseling who earned her Masters Degree from Kansas State University in 1996. While Jennifer works part-time as a therapist she is a wife and mother of five children.
Jennifer has extensive experience working closely with multi-problem children and their families in order to improve parenting and child safety. Jennifer utilizes careful assessment with a strengths-based approach to assist families in solving problems.
Jennifer’s passion is to encourage hope and change within the family system which includes treating large families; addressing lifecycle issues related to launching, empty nesting and aging issues; healing and reparation regarding marital and parent-child conflict. Jennifer relies on her faith to form and shape her approach to clients varying needs. It is her belief that grace and compassion are essential to provide a safe and healing environment for change.
-
Ben Davis, Pastor of Discipleship, CityLife Church
Ben Davis is Pastor of Discipleship and Spiritual Formation at City Life Church. For many years, Ben has taught on the themes of Spiritual Theology, Spiritual Practice, Discipleship, and a range of other theological and biblical topics pertinent to the Christian life. A native of Wichita, Ben lives in College Hill with his wife, Lauren, and their fun, sweet-natured son, Henry. Ben is an occasional guest-writer on Scot McKnight’s widely popular blog, Jesus Creed.
-
Gail Goolsby, HopeNet Coach
Gail Goolsby joined HopeNet in December 2015 as a Coach. She believes there is support and encouragement in God’s Word to help all of us learn to live well. Gail holds master’s degrees in Professional Counseling and Educational Leadership and has over 25 years educational experience as a teacher, school counselor and principal.
From 2005-2011 Gail served as founding principal of the American school (International School of Kabul) in Afghanistan. Gail started LIVE WELL Counseling and Life Coaching services in St. Joseph, MO in spring 2013 after completing her CORE Coaching Skills training. When relocating in 2015 to Wichita, she launched Learn to Live Well for counseling, coaching, speaking, and writing services. She became the Director of the Mid-America Region for American Home Life International, a homestay program that places international high school students with Christian host families while they attend private or public schools in the U.S.
-
Adam Gragg, LCMFT, Decide Your Legacy
Adam Gragg is a marriage and family therapist and mental health professional. He has been in the counseling field since 1998. Adam specializes in marriage and family counseling, helping those with anxiety and depression, adolescent boys over age 12, and executive coaching. Adam often utilizes a cognitive behavioral and brief solution focused approach. Adam is goals focused and results oriented and is committed to providing quality therapeutic services that are individualized and effective for each client. He a trained facilitator of PREP (Preventative Relationship Enhancement Program) and certified in PREPARE premarital assessments. He is a licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist.
-
Sherry Haslam, LPC, HopeNet Therapist
Sherry believes that we are all glorious ruins. We have all been wounded in some way and long for restoration. She considers it a privilege to be a part of the healing process as people rebuild their lives at Hopenet. She takes joy in equipping others to live healthier, more fulfilled lives.
Sherry received her Bachelors in Psychology from Truman State University in Missouri. She received her Masters in Counseling at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis in 2001. While in St. Louis she did her internship at Crossroads Christian Counseling Center and at St. John Newman Catholic School. She took additional coursework at Wichita State University to become licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Kansas in 2004. She continued her training with EMDR Consulting in order to facilitate EMDR Therapy, a type of therapy specifically designed to help work through lasting symptoms from unresolved traumas and negative life experiences.
-
Jana Hinz, LCMFT, LMAC, Valley Hope
Jana Hinz is the Assistant Program Director at Valley Hope of Moundridge. Jana has been part of the Valley Hope family since 2014 and has also worked as a family counselor and business manager. Jana earned a BA in psychology for Wichita State University and an MS degree from Friends University. She is a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist as well as a Licensed Master Addictions Counselor. She brings great experience to the Valley Hope team from her past work as a crisis clinician in community mental health and her private practice work with individuals who have experienced trauma. Jana is also an adjunct professor at Friends University where she teaches and supervises student therapists in the Marriage and Family Therapy Department. Jana’s passion is to bring healing and hope to individuals and families whose lives have been affected by addiction and trauma. Jana lives in Newton, KS, where she has spent most of her life. She has four wonderful children and enjoys watching her youngest play high school football. Fun facts about Jana are that she loves twinkly lights, treehouses, Royals baseball and dark chocolate
-
Melissa Hopper, Psy.D., Licensed Psychologist, Central Christian Counseling Center
Dr. Hopper is trained and experienced in working with a wide range of issues. She utilizes a relational approach to help people understand more about themselves and has particular interest in helping people through life stages, such as adolescence or mid-life.
She is also experienced in assisting people with unhealthy eating behaviors, including eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating. Dr. Hopper completed her training in Southern California at Rosemead School of Psychology. She practiced in a number of settings prior to joining Central Christian Counseling Center, including community mental health centers, a psychiatric hospital, and a college counseling center.
Her approach to therapy is holistic incorporating all aspects of our humanity: physical, social, emotional, and spiritual. Dr. Hopper is warm and personable and enjoys getting to know people. She is committed to helping people learn more about themselves as they achieve their own goals for growth
-
Jayme King, TMSW, HopeNet Therapist
Jayme was drawn to HopeNet because of the emphasis on healing through God’s love. All humans are spiritual beings and HopeNet is a Christian organization where a person’s spirituality is honored and cherished.
Jayme graduated in 2010 from Pittsburg State University with a B.S. in Social Work and went on to complete her Masters in Social Work at Newman University in 2016. She has worked for 5 years at a homeless shelter in Wichita, working with families in crisis and helping them regain stability. During this time, she facilitated Getting Ahead classes, helping people break the cycle of poverty. During a practicum with USD 259, Jayme worked with children with educational exceptionalities, which energized her to begin pursuing her Play Therapy Certificate.
-
Sam Klein, LBSW, HopeNet Coach
Sam is blessed to be working as the Case Coordinator at HopeNet and is excited to be part of an organization that proclaims the love, power and saving grace of Jesus Christ. He serves as the primary intake worker, resource coach, and Next Steps coach through which God has taught him countless lessons. He is grateful for team members at HopeNet who are fully committed to helping others navigate through the often difficult detours of life, while pointing them toward the loving guidance of Jesus, in whom true hope is found.
Sam is a graduate of Tabor College where he obtained Bachelor’s degrees in both Biblical Studies and Social Work. His time spent on a month long mission trip to India provided Sam with a heart for the impoverished and hurting, and he is glad to utilize those experiences to help those in his hometown of Wichita, Kansas.
Sam is the oldest son of 5 children, of which two are adopted. Sam’s hobbies include reading, photography, spending time with friends, drinking/making coffee, and finding/exploring new places.
-
Paul Kurtzweil, PhD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, The Therapy Center
Paul Kurtzweil, Ph.D., is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and independent practitioner. Dr. Kurtzweil obtained his undergraduate degree in Music Therapy from Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma. He then spent several years working with Developmentally Delayed adults and children, providing direct therapeutic interventions, staff training, and Quality Assurance administration. Dr. Kurtzweil subsequently went on to earn his Masters and Doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology at the University of Alabama.
Dr. Kurtzweil completed a Clinical Psychology Internship and a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychology through the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita, Kansas.
Since 1996, Dr. Kurtzweil has been working with children, adolescents, and adults in Wichita. His specialties include parenting strategies, assessment of children, and therapy with individuals across the age span for issues of anxiety, depression, behavioral disruptions, life changes, and faith concerns.
-
Josh Luton, MDiv.
Josh received a B.A. in Religion and Philosophy from Friends University, M.Div. from Duke Divinity School. His interests include theology, spiritual formation, all things food, the church, bow ties, and intersections between all these and more. When not at POET Ethanol Products, Josh can be found at the park with his lovely wife, Jill, and daughters, Isla and Penelope, or following Oklahoma football and Duke basketball.
-
Brock McCay, PhD, Licensed Psychologist, The Therapy Center
Brock L. McKay, Ph.D., is a State of Kansas Licensed Psychologist, an independent practitioner, and co-founder of The Therapy Center. Dr. McKay works with children, adolescents, and adults, providing psychological testing and psychotherapy with clients affected by depressive disorders, panic and anxiety, relational and adjustment issues, Christian issues, personality disorders, identity issues, and having special emphasis diagnosing and treating Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Dr. McKay utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure and response prevention (CBT and ERP), as well as multi-modal approaches for OCD
-
Michele Meinhardt, LMSW, HopeNet Therapist
Michele Meinhardt joined HopeNet after earning her Masters of Social Work from the University of Kansas and her Bachelor’s degree in family studies and human services from Kansas State University. Between her studies, she served as an emergency dispatcher for two years in Manhattan, Kansas. Answering 911 calls gave her the privilege of walking alongside individuals in deeply troubling situations, providing a calming presence and listening ear.
Michele has worked directly with recovering substance users, survivors of childhood and adult trauma, domestic violence, sexual assault, prostitution, and trafficking through her internships at the YWCA Women’s Crisis Center and the Women’s Recovery Center. She has also worked at the Crisis Stabilization Unit with people experiencing suicidal thoughts, self-harm, bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety.
Through her experiences with others, as well as her own personal experience, Michele learned firsthand that Christ was serious when he said “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor 12:9) Michele believes we are uniquely sculpted to reflect God’s image and that we are never “too far gone” for His grace and healing.
-
Angie Moore, LCMFT, RPT-S, Central Christian Counseling Center Therapist
Angie finished her Master of Science degree in Family Therapy at Friends University in 1994. She is a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist and continued her training to become a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor. She has taught and supervised other play therapists. She is also an Approved Supervisor with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.
Angie has spent her over 20 year career in various capacities helping children. She currently provides play therapy and sandtray therapy and has a passion for infant and early childhood mental health. She helps clients with various challenges including depression, adjustment and attachment issues, behavioral concerns, parenting, grief, anxiety, trauma, and relationship difficulties. She also enjoys helping couples get their best start in pre-marital counseling.
Working from a strengths based perspective, Angie believes that it is important to help children learn to correctly identify how they feel and act on it appropriately. Seeking therapy for a child can feel overwhelming, but finding good solutions to help your family can have a lasting, positive impact. Angie believes in partnering with parents or caregivers to best meet the unique needs of children.
-
Zane Raber, LPC, HopeNet Therapist
While studying pastoral ministry at Barclay College, God lead Zane to become someone who would care for the caregivers. This set him on an adventure to pursue counseling professionally with hope of one day building a retreat center to provide respite for spiritual burnout and compassion fatigue for pastors, counselors and others in helping professions. Through this journey, God also opened Zane’s eyes to the deeper needs of people who find it difficult to receive quality, professional care. This lead Zane to HopeNet, to help and serve those in crisis.
Zane received his B.A. in Pastoral Ministry from Barclay College, and his M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Grace University, where his practicum work spanned from college students to those who were homeless to children. He worked at a non-profit in McPherson, KS counseling individuals, couples, and families several years. In addition to working at HopeNet, Zane owns his own private practice, Pontifex Counseling and Consulting, in McPherson. He has worked with people experiencing the effects of divorce, depression, anxiety, adjustment disorders, parenting issues, relational issues, grief, PTSD, ADHD, Bi-polar disorder, as well as those needing anger management or spiritual direction. He continued his training with EMDR Consulting in order to facilitate EMDR Therapy, a type of therapy specifically designed to help work through lasting symptoms from unresolved traumas and negative life experiences.
-
Charity Schaulis, HopeNet Executive Director
Currently serves as the executive director of HopeNet since 2011. The position maximized her strengths as a leader and developer. Charity was the key principle in the million dollar capital campaign to renovate the HopeNet property which radically transformed 7000 square feet and tripled the use of space. Charity believes in investing in others who are seeking personal change. Over the last five years the HopeNet team has served nearly 700 people each year struggling with poverty or emotional distress. Charity is passionate about equipping the community to come alongside others when life falls apart.
Charity graduated Cum Laude from the Biblical Institute of Los Angeles with a B. A. in Psychology in 1988. Charity focused her career on Industrial Psychology where her aptitude for strategic administrative planning and human resource skills developed. After 10 years of women’s ministry development and team building, she began coaching young people in the art of public speaking, directing competitive speech events for thousands of participants statewide and nationally for the National Christian Forensics and Communications Association. Often drawn to start up projects, in 2005 Charity was hired to provide administrative services and instruction in competitive speech and value debate for the launch of a new school: The Classical School of Wichita. In 2009, Charity became founding business process executive of Christian Youth Theater Wichita, developing process and volunteer training materials to successfully launch the 21st National affiliate. Charity’s greatest personal successes include celebrating 27 years of marriage to Rick and enjoying their 3 grown children.
Charity Schaulis has served as the Director of HopeNet since 2011. Having experiencing the transformational love of Christ, Charity believes in investing in others who are seeking personal change. With her vision, leadership and passion, Charity seeks to awaken and equip the community to come alongside others when life falls apart.
-
Jenny Wall, HopeNet Spiritual Director
Jenny obtained her Masters of Arts Degree in Christian Ministries and Spiritual Formation from Friends University in 2014 after studying at the Larry Crabb School of Spiritual Direction in 2010. She began her education at Calvary Bible College in Kansas City, MO, before transferring to Emporia State University in Emporia, KS, where she obtained her Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education in 1981 with a minor in Music. For over 20 years Jenny was self-employed as a private piano teacher and volunteered in many church and school capacities. Jenny served on church staff as the Director of Kids and Family Ministry for 6 1/2 years and taught elementary school at a private Christian preschool and Classical School for 3 years before joining the staff of HopeNet. Jenny is a member of the Evangelical Spiritual Directors Association.
Jenny developed an appreciation for a person’s spiritual journey through encountering many highs and lows in her own life. She counts it an honor and privilege to walk alongside others who are searching for God in the midst of whatever they are experiencing in life at the moment. Jenny resides in Wichita, Kansas with her husband, Robert. They are grateful for the privilege of being the parents of two young adult daughters. Jenny enjoys reading, flower gardening (as much as you can in Kansas), singing, playing the piano, and laughing with friends.