Meet the Team – Christ Counseling Ministry

A Safe Place.
Our dedicated, caring counselors strive to create a comfortable and safe place for you to find hope and healing.

Counseling Staff

Billy Don Smith

Clinical Director, MS, LPC

Billy Don has worked with adults for more than thirty years in multiple in-patient and out-patient mental health settings. He has counseled clients and families with issues related to persistent mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar, depression and anxiety disorders. For seven years Billy Don has counseled clients in crisis and has worked with clients experiencing adjustment disorders related to lifespan changes, grief, loss and divorce.

Degrees
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of Texas at Arlington

Master of Science in Nursing, Psychiatric, University of Texas at Arlington

Master of Arts in Administration, Midwestern State University

Susan Berend

MA, LPC, LMFT, LSW, NCC

Susan began her counseling career serving as an elementary school counselor for five years; previously, she had been a teacher for sixteen years.

The majority of her time was spent in both group and individual counseling. Through her internship period with us, she counseled in numerous situations, including marriage, family, child, and adolescent issues; interpersonal relationships; dual-diagnosis, mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, and eating disorders. In 2021, she received her LPC license.

Degrees
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Texas A&M University

Master of Arts in General Counseling/School Counseling, Midwestern State University

David Couch

MAMFC, LPC

David is a native of Vernon with fifteen years of counseling experience and over twenty-five years working with family systems enabling him to offer effective care for you and your family. He is also a licensed minister of the gospel and will incorporate Biblical principles at client’s request. He’s a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors and regularly attends conferences and continuing education workshops.

David shares, “My purpose is to simply join you in understanding where you are, help comprehend where you want to be, and explore a plan on how you will get there. I believe everyone needs a listening ear, and my desire is for you to do well!”

Degrees
Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Counseling, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, The University of North Texas

Brian Eby

MA, LPC, LMFT, LSW, NCC

Brian has a passion for mental health advocacy, the homeless population, and veterans with mental and medical impairments. He uses a discipleship model of helping individuals, families, and couples as he mentors them to a deeper relationship with Christ.

His clinical training and experience encompass a broad spectrum of issues that include: relational problems, abuse issues, marital conflict, depression, anxiety and emotional disorders, sexual identity and gender issues, grief and complicated bereavement issues. Brian is an instructor with Entrust and teaches extensively in Romania and Eastern Europe. In 2019, Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Brian to the Advisory Committee to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments.

Degrees
Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling, Grace Theological Seminary

Bachelor of Science in Health, Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi

Master of Arts in Biblical Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary

Susanna Ray

Intern

Susanna is currently entering her last semester (Internship II) at MSU to earn her masters degree in Clinical Mental Health. Upon her graduation in May 2025, Susanna will be a Licensed Professional Counselor and plans to continue as a counselor at CCM.

Susanna provides individual, couple, and family counseling and has experience in issues such as anxious or depressive behaviors, parenting/family conflict, relational stress and communication barriers, and unresolved childhood trauma. She uses techniques from theories such as Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, and Transactional Analysis in order to provide a creative and interactive therapeutic experience.

Susanna shares, “Once we better understand ourselves and why we behave or think the way we do, we become one step closer to conscious movement toward change. Whatever your goals of counseling may be, we can strive toward them together in a collaborative and effective manner.“.

Degree
Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Midwestern State University

LaShanda Turenne

MA, LPC Associate (Supervised by Danielle Bowman, LPC-S)

LaShanda has a passion for counseling individuals who struggle with conflict while working and volunteering in ministry. She has experience counseling individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, emotional abuse, trauma, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, sexual issues, intimacy, and couples counseling.

LaShanda has served in ministry for over eight years. Her journey to becoming a counselor began in 2018 at Midwestern State University where she obtained both her Bachelors of Science and Masters of Arts.

Degrees
Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Minor in Biology, Midwestern State University

Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology and Counseling, Midwestern State University

Certifications
Integrative Sex and Couples Therapy Informed Professional (CSTIP)

Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist—Individual (CCTS-I)

Lisa Williams

MEd, LPC

After working for twenty-four years in the school system, with the last nine as a student support counselor at the middle school level, Lisa has had the opportunity to work with teens struggling in many different areas. In the school system she worked with students, supporting them in the areas of anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and suicidal ideation. She also has helped teens with social skills, developing good study habits, and goal setting.

For the past two years she has been working with not only teens, but adults as well who are experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, and family issues. After retiring from the school system at the end of May 2024, she is excited to be working at CCM exclusively, helping clients become the best version of themselves. She has a real passion for helping others and looks forward to working with clients in all stages of life.

Degrees
Bachelor of Arts in English with Spanish Minor, Midwestern State University

Master of Education in School Counseling, Lamar University

Clinical Mental Health additional coursework, Midwestern State University

Certifications
Certified Clinical Trauma- Arizona Trauma Institute

Amy Wood

MA, LPC

Amy has been working with children, adolescents, and individuals in crisis and at-risk youth for over fourteen years. She is familiar with ADHD, anxiety, depression, trauma and other areas of mental health. Her walk with Jesus started when she was ten years old and has continued to grow everyday.

Amy started at CCM as a Licensed Professional Counselor intern and obtained her license in March 2020.

Degrees
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health, Midwestern State University

Bachelor of Arts in Humanities, Midwestern State University

Master of Education/Teacher Certification in English/Language Arts, Wayland Baptist University

Administrative Staff

Stephanie Sowell

Administrative Director

Stephanie oversees the administrative side of the ministry. She has worked with the public for over thirty-five years, most of which was in an administrative or human resources role. Having been a former client, she knows the value of CCM. She shares, “I love that I get to have a front-row seat watching God bring ‘beauty from brokenness’ to our clients, our staff, and our ministry. Coming to work is a delight!”

Stephanie and her husband Derek have been in pastoral ministry for thirty years. She’s taking a course titled “Coffee-Cup Counseling” through Light University to help her minister to friends, family, and people at her church. She plans to take more courses through them to continue to grow in her skills for both work and ministry. Stephanie and Derek have three adult children and four grandchildren. She loves being “Bubbles” to her grands!

Education
Studied counseling at Lee University

Certifications
Completes Non-profit Management Certificate Program through Midwestern State University in April 2025

Kay Chance

Development & Communications Director

Kay has the privilege of sharing the mission and vision of Christ Counseling Ministry through social media, emails, newsletters, fundraising, and events. She loves showing people how they can partner with the ministry to bring hope and healing to those experiencing brokenness. And, applying for grants allows her to bring her writing skills to a meaningful and fulfilling cause. Kay’s amazed and thankful for the generosity of local foundations, churches, individuals, and businesses here in Texoma!

For the last ten years, she has worked as a freelance writer and editor as well as spending three years as the Communications Ministry Assistant at Grace Church. She’s also the Co-Executive Editor of Homeschooling Today magazine and is working on certifications in life coaching and spiritual formation.

Degrees
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Wayland Baptist University

Master of Library Science, Texas Woman’s University

Certifications
Completes Non-profit Management Certificate Program through Midwestern State University in April 2025

Christine Martin

Client Services Representative

Christine finds it to be such a joy to be a part of the team at Christ Counseling Ministry. As the Client Services Representative, she endeavors to be a warm, welcoming face to all who come through our doors. She strives to ensure a smooth and efficient running of our front office as well.

Christina is a retired Christian Ed. teacher and a Master Life and Marriage Coach. In her down time she loves spending time with her grands or paddling area lakes with her hubby.

Degree
Bachelor of Art Christian Education, Berean Bible College

Certifications
Master Life & Marriage Coach, Liberty and Light University

Dena Truette

Client Services Coordinator

Dena is responsible for managing all aspects of billing and insurance claims processes within the organization. She also has the opportunity to use her previous graphic design experience to collaborate with the Development and Communications Director to create social media and marketing content. She feels so privileged to be part of the CCM team because of the work she sees God do through the counselors and ministry. She shares, “I’m in awe of our community for their constant showering of support and resources to keep CCM thriving!”

After studying Sociology and Psychology at Midwestern State University, Dena spent seventeen years working in education and office administration before accepting a position with Christ Counseling Ministry.

Degree
Bachelor of Science in Sociology, Midwestern State University