Robb Horner Ph.D.
Robb’s dramatic conversion to Christ in 1998 led to a renewed educational pursuit and a passion for full time service in ministry. He previously served 5 years as lay minister for Emmaus Prison Ministry that observed healing prayer and the restoration of souls. Along with Ant Trader, Robb directs the Underground Ministry (www.theugm.org). He is dedicated to seeing men and their spouses healed and restored from the brokenness of sexual sin. He is also serving as an Elder at Oasis Covenant Fellowship in Easton, MD. Robb enjoys serving as a guest speaker for church services and ministry events.
Robb has been ordained as a Minister of the Gospel licensed through Elim Fellowship of Lima, NY. He has achieved a B.A. in Christian Counseling from Southwest Bible College & Seminary, an M.A. in Human Services Counseling from Regent University and a Ph.D. in Clinical Christian Psychology from Cornerstone University. Robb has received Board Certification in Temperament Therapy and is recognized as a Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor by the National Christian Counseling Association. Robb is also recognized as a Board Certified Pastoral Counselor and a Board Certified Sexual Addiction Counselor by the Board of Christian Professional and Pastoral Counselors.
Dr. Robb’s approach to counseling centers on the grace of God and the ministry of His Word through the power of the Holy Spirit. As a Pastoral counselor in a clinical setting, Robb explores biblical truths that operate through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Family Systems Therapy and Creation Therapy. Robb’s passion as well as expertise is in Marriage therapy. His skills are also strong in counseling individuals and families in a private or group setting. His deepest desire is to see the miraculous restoration ministry of Jesus Christ made real in the lives of spiritually & emotionally wounded people.
Robb Horner
Ph.D.
Individual, Marriage,
Sexual Addiction
Roland Jennings MSW, LCSW-C
Email Roland Jennings: roland@lifecounsel.org
Roland Jennings is passionate about helping people. His professional counseling approach from, a clinical/Christian perspective, has proven very successful in helping his clients. Roland is a Certified Clinical Social Worker holding licenses in both Maryland (LCSW-C) and in Delaware (LCSW). Roland has been in the behavioral health field since 2010 after having graduated from Salisbury University with his BA in Psychology. He began his career at the Worcester County Health Department as a drug and alcohol counselor (AOD-Provisional) specializing in providing brief assessment and case management services with teens and their families. Roland was eventually promoted to Coordinator of Special Programs and began working with the Sandcastles Runaway and Homeless Youth program. While working full time at the Worcester County Health Department, Roland continued his education and obtained his Masters of Social Work (MSW) from Salisbury University in 2012. As an MSW student, he was required to fulfill two separate internships. One was providing case management services to individuals with severe mental illness and the other was providing school-based therapy to children and their families, as well as individual counseling with adults and married couples. After becoming a licensed clinician (LSCW-C), he was offered a full-time position as a mental health therapist and began working with various populations in the capacity of individual, family, group and marital counseling. It wasn’t until 2013 that Roland found his niche. He attended a six-month Core Clinical Training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and instantly felt compelled to help others with this comprehensive treatment model. Roland began to see his clients get better sooner than with earlier treatments. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based model of treatment focused on teaching skills such as mindfulness, being able to tolerate distress, regulating emotions, and interpersonal success. DBT focuses on helping individuals refocus their lives to create a life worth living, while simultaneously balancing acceptance and change. Roland also has training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) which is an evidenced-based therapeutic intervention that focuses on helping children overcome stress responses to trauma. In addition, Roland has been trained in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), which is a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approach to reducing anxiety-based disorders such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Though, Roland’s primary therapy/counseling technique focuses on using a clinical/research-based approach, he is also attuned to incorporating spirituality into his clinical practice. Roland focuses on meeting the person where they are as an equal, collaborating as a team, and helping them to get to where they want to be in life based on their own individual values. Healing today. Hope for tomorrow.
Roland Jennings
MSW, LCSW-C
Individual, Marriage
and Family
Heather KellamMSW, LCSW-C
Email Heather Kellam: heather@lifecounsel.org
Heather graduated summa cum-laude from Salisbury University with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work in 2002. She then earned Advanced Placement standing into the University of Maryland, Baltimore and received a Masters in Social Work in 2003. Currently a Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C), she has been in practice for 17 years. Heather relies on the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit in the counseling process. She believes in the power of God that is available through prayer and the Holy Scriptures to heal, restore and transform lives. She feels especially called to work with families and has a great desire to see others develop an exciting, intimate, fulfilling relationship with Jesus Christ. During her career, Heather has worked with children, adolescents, adults and families with a strengths-based approach that focuses on the client’s unique needs, while building upon their God-given gifts, talents and abilities. She utilizes an eclectic mix of interventions such as Family Systems Therapy, Behavior Modification, Trauma-Focused CBT and Dialectical Behavior Therapy techniques. The intervention that Heather is most strong in and uses often, is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. Traditional Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions are based on the idea that faulty thinking leads to faulty beliefs, and then to maladaptive behavior patterns. By changing the way we think, we can change our beliefs, and ultimately our behaviors. With a Christian-based perspective, her aim is to help the client replace faulty thinking (“take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5) with Biblical truths. “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32. When working with children, Heather employs additional creative interventions into the counseling process such as play, art, role play and other activities. While at Eastern Shore Psychological Services, Heather did some school-based mental health counseling with children and teens in Somerset County public schools and also ran an anger management group for children as well as assisted with Intensive Outpatient Groups at Hope Creek School. Heather worked with the Worcester County Health Department Health on the Boards Program, conducting mental health and alcohol/drug screenings for out of state juveniles that became involved in the legal system. In this position, she worked in collaboration with the Department of Juvenile Justice and made referrals for education/counseling programs throughout the country. She has also worked with a variety of community and state agencies in an effort to coordinate care and help children and families to receive the resources that they need. Mental health issues that Heather has worked with extensively are ADHD and Reactive Attachment Disorder. To make a diagnosis of ADHD, she uses the Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Rating Scale as part of the assessment process. Once diagnosed, she educates the family on the disorder and works with them, giving the parents helpful parenting strategies and tips for navigating the educational system to obtain additional supports when needed. She also works with the school and makes suggestions that can help the child to be more successful in the classroom. When working with children diagnosed with Reactive Attachment Disorder, Heather provides assessment, support, education and therapy to the child and family in an effort to help the child process and heal from trauma, and form healthy, secure attachments with new caregivers. Other mental health diagnosis that Heather works with include Depression and Bi-polar Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Learning Disabilities, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, PTSD, and developmental disabilities, including autism. Heather is a member of Allen Memorial Baptist Church in Salisbury, Maryland and is involved with her church through the Prayer Ministry, Life Group Leadership and Missions Outreach to India. She has been married to her husband Scott for 25 years and they have two daughters. Heather is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors and is a state approved social work supervisor.
Heather Kellam
MSW, LCSW-C
Children, Adolescents, Adults and Family
Wendy Wharton MA, LPCMH
Wendy Wharton has been working as a licensed therapist on Delmarva for over two decades. Wendy holds a Master’s Degree in Community Counseling from Wilmington College. She is a National Board Certified Counselor with full practice privileges from the State of Delaware (LPCMH). Wendy began her career working as a crisis counselor for the Delaware Pregnancy Center. Much of her formative clinical work and training dealt with inpatient and outpatient psychiatric emergencies, and she has been praised for her calming presence and ability to meet the client where he or she is, even if that place is a mess.
Additionally, Wendy has been working with Life Counseling Center since 2008 and is comfortable treating clients and families with a variety of struggles including but not limited to bullying at school, relational aggression, depression with or without suicidal ideation, marriage and divorce, single-parent parenting, generalized performance, social, or school anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, phobias, obsessive thoughts, and stress management. She also has a particular passion and keen awareness for the struggles of the elderly and their caregivers, some of whom are in the “sandwich generation” and find themselves caring for their parents and their children simultaneously. She utilizes several evidenced-based therapy techniques including CBT, progressive relaxation therapy, mindfulness, crisis de-escalation, and post-crisis intervention. Wendy prefers meeting her clients “face to face” but is also available for Telehealth appointments if needed.
She works to discern the role of couples and to restore authority to parents of challenging children and teens. She meets clients where they are, in a non-judgmental fashion and helps them identify their strengths by assisting them in creating strategies to meet their counseling goals. Her down-to-earth and calming style allows clients to feel at ease. Wendy believes that compassionate, Christian counseling allows clients to gain growth and understanding of the issues they face and find solutions for balance and peace. Wendy’s techniques are grounded in a Biblical philosophy that focuses on allowing the client to find a clarity and stillness of mind which is an attribute of God’s nature as well as what He wishes for his children (see Genesis 2:2, Psalm 46:10, Mark 6:31). Client feedback has been tremendously positive and Wendy feels a great sense of accomplishment when she can use her God-given nature and talents to bring peace and restoration to whole families. Many of her referrals come from current or previous clients.
Wendy is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors, American Counselors Association, Delaware School Counselors Association, Delaware Counseling Association, American Christian Schools International and American Fitness Professionals Association.
Wendy is also a middle school track & field coach as well as a fitness and wellness instructor. She views life as she does the track: life has hurdles but by keeping your eyes on the goal, none are insurmountable. She has been married to her husband for over 30 years, and her greatest joy is spending time with her family. In her free time she enjoys reading mystery novels, doing home-renovation projects, kayaking, meditation, and trail walking, often all with a cup of coffee in hand.
Wendy Wharton
MA,LPCMH
Individual, Marriage
and Family
Mary Beth Rimmer LPCMH, NCC
Email Mary Beth Rimmer: marybeth@lifecounsel.org
Mary Beth graduated in 1995 from Regent University with a Master’s of Arts in Clinical Counseling and became a DE Licensed Professional Counselor (LPCMH) in 1999. While working towards state licensure, she was employed as an outpatient therapist for Catholic Charities, Inc., where she counseled teens in an intensive outpatient program. Throughout her 20-year career, Mary Beth has worked as a Counselor and Dean of Students at Delmarva Christian High School as well as a Life Counseling Clinician (2009-2011) where she specialized in marriage and family issues. Mary Beth utilizes an eclectic approach to counseling, with a strong emphasis on Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy. She believes the word of God has the power to free individuals as faulty belief systems are replaced with the truths found in the Bible. While relying on the leading of the Holy Spirit, she strives to provide a safe environment where individuals can look honestly at painful emotions and experiences, while gently leading them through the healing process. She specializes in Marriage and Family Counseling, along with experience in Eating Disorders, Post Traumatic Stress Disorders, Anxiety and Depressive Disorders. Mary Beth and her husband, Chris have been married for 28 years and reside in Millsboro, DE with their children, Lydia and Noah.
Mary Beth Rimmer
MA,LPCMH
Individual, Marriage
and Family
Terri Rubio M. Div
Email Terri Rubio: terri@lifecounsel.org
Terri has a heart for the hurting and believes, through the power of Jesus, everyone can live full lives in Christ, regardless of circumstances. She received her undergraduate degree Magna Cum Laude in Christian Ministries and Biblical Studies from Crown College in 2018 and received her M.Div. in Pastoral Counseling Magna Cum Laude from Crown College in 2020. Terri is an ordained minister and chaplain with International Ministerial Fellowship (IMF).
While focusing on the individual client, Terri uses an eclectic approach to counseling. Since every person is unique, Terri believes it is important to approach each situation with an open mind and all the tools in the toolbox. The healing of Christ is the most powerful tool and this is the overarching theme in all her counseling.
As a Pastoral counselor Terri integrates spirituality, faith and theology with counseling to provide help for those who seek assistance. She provides counseling in a variety of areas such as personal, pre-marital and marital, family and faith issues. In her spare time, Terri volunteers in the community and church facilitating support groups for addiction and codependency, conducting Bible Studies, participating in the alter team ministry and greeting ministry. In the community she volunteers with the marginalized populations including the homeless and addicted. She and her husband Joe have been married for 12 years and have a blended family of 3 adult children. In their spare time Terri and Joe enjoy the beach, golfing, traveling, music and spending time with family.
Terri Rubio
MDiv
Marriage, Premarital, Family and Faith
Tara Kearns MSW, LMSW
Email Tara Kearns: tara@lifecounsel.org
Tara Kearns is dedicated and experienced, with a passion for serving others and sharing the love of Jesus Christ. Tara earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Maryland in 2004 and moved to the Eastern Shore in 2006. In her time here, she has worked primarily with families and children, ranging from social and community-based services to mental health related services. Tara has worked closely with various community organizations—public, private, non-profit and faith-based—and is well-respected among her peers. After her own experience in faith-based counseling and an encounter with the Lord, Tara felt a calling to turn toward faith-based therapy and entered graduate studies in order to do so. In 2019, Tara graduated from Salisbury University with as Master in Social Work (MSW), and is a Licensed Masters Social Worker (LMSW) in Maryland. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC). She is a certified Telehealth Mental Health Professional and has extensive training in trauma-informed care practice for children and adults, as well as Mental Health First Aid. Tara is certified in Applied Suicide Intervention and Life Space Crisis Intervention. She is also a certified Mindfulness Educator and incorporates prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit into her mindfulness practice. Tara lives in Eden, Maryland with her husband, John, and their three sons: Trey, Grayson and Avery.
Tara Kearns
MSW, LMSW
Individual Women, and Adolescents
Missy Rekitzke Pastor, MDiv
Email Missy Rekitzke: missy@lifecounsel.org
Missy loves people and has a desire to see marriages and families experience abundant life in Christ. She is an ordained pastor and received her MDiv from Wesley Theological Seminary in 2010. Since graduating, Missy has been serving in the local church, offering pastoral care and counseling to the communities where she serves. She also has many years of experience working with youth in church and retreat settings. She is currently finishing her MA degree in Pastoral Counseling from Liberty University with a concentration in Marriage and Family Counseling. She is certified in SYMBIS (Saving your marriage before it starts) and Prepare/ Enrich, along with membership in the AACC (American Association of Christian Counselors). It was at an AACC regional seminar that brought her to a place of discerning that God was leading her to a new journey of pastoral counseling. “Because of God’s great love and grace for us, he always hopes, always endures on our behalf and wants our lives to be filled with joy and contentment.” God wants marriages and families to reflect his love to one another and to the world. Through hope, forgiveness and grace, every marriage has the capability of healing and wholeness as we invite the Holy Spirit to participate in every aspect of the counseling process. Missy and her husband Phil have been married for 36 years, with 2 adult children, Philip (Erin) and Claire (Brent) and 3 grandchildren, Keller, Naomee and Jasper. In her spare time, she loves to read (mostly historical biographies), travel (especially our National Parks), going to the beach, kayaking and playing guitar in the praise band at church.
Missy Rekitzke
Pastor, MDiv
Marriage, Premarital, Family and Faith
Daniel Walton Pastoral Counselor
Email Daniel Walton: dan@lifecounsel.org
Daniel has more than 15 years of experience as a Pastor and Bible Teacher. He graduated from Tennessee Temple University in 2009 with a Master of Ministry in Pastoral Leadership, and he later received a Master of Arts in Christian Education in 2011. As a Pastor and Lead Discipleship Teacher, Daniel has invested many hours in supporting young people and families in various counseling settings.
As an avid reader and life long learner, Daniel is always seeking to find the best methods to help others understand God’s Word as it relates to their struggles, and use diverse approaches to counseling to help others find emotional and spiritual healing through therapy. In addition, as a high school teacher and soccer coach, Daniel works with youth and families daily to model Christian principles and strive to live in a way that honors Him.
Daniel is a Board Certified Pastoral Counselor with the Board of Christian Professional and Pastoral Counselors. He has an Advanced Certificate in Biblical Counseling and a Certificate in Best Practices from Light University. These certificates aid Dan in identifying and treating personality disorders. Dan uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Therapeutic Life Change methods to treat depression, anxiety and trauma. He is dedicated to helping men and families find great strength and healing through Jesus. Daniel feels that attending therapy takes courage, and he is passionate about helping men in all walks of life to determine their goals for therapy so that they can ultimately grow as individuals, improve relationships, reduce emotional suffering, and achieve a life filled with joy and peace.
Daniel Walton
MA, BCPC
Individual, Men and Faith
Julie Garner
Email Julie Garner: julie@lifecounsel.org
Julie Garner is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. She earned a B.S. in Family Studies from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2003 and a M.Ed. in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore in 2006. She has over fifteen year’s experience working in the field of behavioral health and since 2018, she has been providing direct mental health treatment to children and adolescents, in schools and outpatient settings.
Julie’s clinical experience includes helping children, adolescents and young adults in the areas of depression, anxiety, trauma, life transitions, low self-esteem, stress management, self-care, and school concerns.
Recognizing that each of her clients is unique, she utilizes an eclectic approach to treatment, drawing from several theoretical orientations such as: cognitive-behavioral, strengths-based, solution-focused, EMDR (trained) and person-centered. She also incorporates the Christian faith into the therapeutic process to create a holistic approach, focusing on the wellbeing of the mind, soul and body.
Julie wholeheartedly believes that counseling is a powerful process that helps people to better connect to themselves, to others and to God. She promotes growth and healing through the creation of an empathetic and nurturing environment. Her goal is to help people repair the injured parts of themselves in order to become the best version of themselves.
Julie Garner
M.Ed. LCPC
Children, Adolescents and Young Adults
Chris Hinton
Email Chris Hinton: chris@lifecounsel.org
Chris is a pastoral counselor who merges the principles found in God’s Word to help guide individuals in their everyday life. Chris has pastored churches in Florida, Virginia and Delaware with the Southern Baptist Convention. Chris is devoted to helping others reconcile with God and fully embrace their identity in Christ.
Chris has been an ordained minister since 1992. He has a Master of Science in Criminal Justice and a Master of Education in Counseling Education from Wilmington University. He is licensed and certified by the Delaware Department of Education as an Education Counselor. Chris has extensive background in behavioral health and criminal justice. His experience has exposed him to counsel individuals with all forms of addiction including alcohol, drugs, gambling and sexual. He has a passion for treating individuals who are in the need of crisis intervention, conflict resolution and acute care. He is skilled in individual, family and group counseling.
When Chris is not counseling, he enjoys competitive strength sports and won Delaware’s Strongest Man Competition in 2014. He also is a musician who enjoys anything that is harmony and has a love for the creative arts. He lives with his two sons in central Delaware and enjoys supporting them in their athletics and creative arts endeavors.
Chris Hinton
MS, M.Ed.
Individual Men, Family, Group, and Faith
Keri Hignutt - MSW, LCSW-C
Email Keri Hignutt: keri@lifecounsel.org
Keri Hignutt graduated in 2014 from Salisbury University with a Master’s in Social Work. While working towards a master’s degree, she was employed with Channel Marker, Inc., where she worked with a range of clients struggling with a wide range of mental health diagnosis. Since 2016, Keri has worked in the public sector, working with families and children going through crisis.
Keri meets individuals where they are at and is able to utilize an approach that best fits their style, beliefs, and circumstances. A relationship with Christ and the church is a powerful foundation to help launch individuals into a thriving and full life. Keri relies on prayer and knowledge to help an individual through current circumstances that have brought them to seek Christian-based counseling. She specializes in Individual Counseling, with experience in crisis work, loss, and addiction. Keri and her husband, Jason have been married for 8 years and reside in Bridgeville, DE, with two children, Josiah and Joslyn.
Keri Hignutt
MSW, LCSW-C
Individuals
Sharon Brown - MA, Pastoral Counselor
Email Sharon Brown: sharon@lifecounsel.org
Sharon Brown has been discipling and counseling women and marriages since 2004. She is trained in EMDR, a research-based integrative psychotherapy that helps with healing past and present trauma, PTSD symptoms, persistent negative beliefs about oneself and much more. Her experience is supported by a M.A. in Pastoral Counseling: Marriage and Families from Liberty University, and a B.A. in Business and Finance, from Salisbury University. She is trained in EMDR through River’s Edge Institute and a certified Life Coach from Elim Fellowship in Lima, NY. She is also a facilitator of SYMBIS and PREPARE-ENRICH Marriage/Pre-Marriage assessments.
As a Pastoral Counselor, Sharon is most alive when she is able to provide hope and direction to those who are struggling to determine life’s path, partnering with them to discover and pursue healing and freedom through the transforming power of Jesus Christ. Her passion is to help women find their identity and freedom in Christ.
She and her husband, Pastor Rob Brown, have been married 32 years, lead Vital Church in Laurel, DE and enjoy spending time with their grown children and grandson.
Sharon Brown
MA, Pastoral Counselor
Individual Women
Kendall Smith / Administrative Assistant
Kendall Smith is the Administrative Assistant for Life Counseling Center. She works part time and
handles all types of administrative tasks, including scheduling, client correspondence and insurance
verification. Kendall was born and raised on the Eastern Shore and is now raising her two young children
here with her husband. Kendall received her bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family
Science from Messiah University. She has a passion for serving others and desires to share the love of
Christ through her work at Life Counseling Center.
Kendall Smith
Administrative Assistant
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Sheila Fooks President/Owner
Sheila brings with her a broad range of expertise. From her previous experiences as a logistics professional and manager, to account executive and real estate professional; Sheila gained the valuable skill sets needed for entrepreneurial success. As a business owner she demonstrated proficiency in the areas of customer service, finance, safety, human resources, scheduling, operations, and marketing, while simultaneously handling the affairs of multiple other entities. She has attended Gethsemane UMC for over 15 years and has held a variety of leadership positions in the local church. Sheila was most recently the Worship Arts Chairperson and was able to enhance the worship experience to reach people for Christ through a variety of different mediums. She has mentored with youth as a leader and chaperone, as well as liturgical dance and hand mime instructor. Her passion for serving has taken her on mission trips to AZ, WV, TN and VA. She volunteered on the initial Board of Directors responsible for bringing Nanticoke Young Life to the Seaford area and served as Banquet Chair for several years. Her recent acceptance to serve on the Board of Directors for Faith Filled Women, Salisbury, MD is an example of her passion for spreading God’s word and power. Her volunteer work echoes her passion for making a positive impact on others. Sheila is grounded in her faith and devoted to empowering people to improve their lives through Christian counseling. Her life experience and strong personal belief in the healing power of Christian counseling makes her the appropriate choice to take Life Counseling Center to the next level. Sheila lives in Seaford, DE and has two grown children. She has participated in cycling events across Delmarva and completed her first “century ride” a few years ago. She enjoys traveling, spending time with her family and friends, and is looking forward to making an impact on the Delmarva Peninsula through Life Counseling Center!
Sheila Fooks
President/Owner
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