About Us
Guadalupe Valley Christian Counseling Center (GVCCC) is a non-profit Christian agency supported by area churches. While our staff members are committed Christians with their own faith statements and understandings, their purpose is not to preach to clients. They are clinically trained and experienced professionals who utilize the tools of the psychotherapeutic fields to help clients achieve optimal mental, emotional and spiritual health. Tools of the faith such as confession and forgiveness, prayer, and Biblical meditation can be used when the client feels comfortable with them and can be benefited therapeutically.
Nicholas Wilkens, Ph.D., LMFT-Supervisor, LPC-Supervisor, Executive Director
A published author, Dr. Wilkens is licensed as both a professional counselor and marriage and family therapist who trains future therapists as a Texas Department of Health-approved supervisor for both. He has served as Senior Lecturer and Professor Pro Rata and clinical supervisor in the graduate department of counseling and human services at St. Mary's University since 2003. He is also a consecrated Diaconal Minister in the ELCA, serving in his place of call as director of the Guadalupe Valley Christian Counseling Center here in Seguin.
For more information on Dr. Wilkens, visit http://www.nicholaswilkensphd.com/.
For more information on Dr. Wilkens, visit http://www.nicholaswilkensphd.com/.
JoAnne Muelker, M.Ed., LPC
A Licensed Professional Counselor and a treasured member of the Guadalupe Valley community. She is and has been a member of several community organizations, and has been recognized by the Women of Seguin for outstanding achievement in the field of public service. Mrs. Muelker is also a very active member of First United Methodist Church in Seguin. She is the one original therapist at the Guadalupe Valley Christian Counseling Center
Richard Laosa, M.Ed., LPC
Richard Laosa has been devoted to serving others through practice and research in the mental health field. He has performed these tasks, at various locations, for more than 35 years. Here in Seguin, he was in private practice for approximately 15 years. During this period he had a weekly newspaper column entitled “Mental Health News” in the Seguin Gazette Enterprise. He also has served as the after hours “On Call Person”for the Texas Department of Mental Health Authority in Guadalupe County.
Since 2004, he has been affiliated with the Guadalupe Valley Christian Counseling Center. As a Licensed Professional Counselor and a seasoned practitioner, Mr. Laosa brings a holistic approach to counseling, emphasizing mind, body and spirit. He is fluent in both English and Spanish.
Since 2004, he has been affiliated with the Guadalupe Valley Christian Counseling Center. As a Licensed Professional Counselor and a seasoned practitioner, Mr. Laosa brings a holistic approach to counseling, emphasizing mind, body and spirit. He is fluent in both English and Spanish.
Rebecca Vela, Ph.D., LCSW
A licensed clinical social worker, Dr. Vela has been with our agency since January, 2010. Prior to that, she was a university professor for over 25 years teaching students, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, to become social workers. Dr. Vela taught at Texas Lutheran University, here, in Seguin for 17 years. She has also taught at The University of Kansas and The University of Texas at San Antonio. Her practice background includes working with various populations; additionally, she is bilingual/bicultural. Dr. Vela brings to her practice a holistic view that integrates environment, body, mind, and spirit. She uses techniques that fall under the umbrella term of ‘Energy Psychology.’ Dr. Vela also worked in our offices in the Gonzales Community Health Center, the Luling Community Health Center and the Seguin Community Health Center. In addition to doing therapy, Dr. Vela does assessments for Spanish-speaking persons as part of their application for work and residency visas to the US Immigration Services.
Teresa Bethany, M.A., Marriage and Family Therapist Associate
Teresa Bethany is a Master's graduate in Marriage and Family Therapy at St. Mary’s University. As a former middle school teacher and mental health associate, she has experience working in a variety of settings with families and children of all ages. Teresa believes in rebuilding communication strategies positively for families and utilizing humor when working with adolescent populations. She is also concurrently working with men in San Marcos dealing with anger, loss, and domestic violence, and has been quite effective in this pursuit, as she has been in all of her other professional endeavors. Ms. Bethany works under the clinical supervision of Dr. Nicholas Wilkens.
Teresa Bethany is a Master's graduate in Marriage and Family Therapy at St. Mary’s University. As a former middle school teacher and mental health associate, she has experience working in a variety of settings with families and children of all ages. Teresa believes in rebuilding communication strategies positively for families and utilizing humor when working with adolescent populations. She is also concurrently working with men in San Marcos dealing with anger, loss, and domestic violence, and has been quite effective in this pursuit, as she has been in all of her other professional endeavors. Ms. Bethany works under the clinical supervision of Dr. Nicholas Wilkens.
Ashley Dechant, M.A., Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy, Paraprofessional Counselor
Ashley Dechant completed her degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at St. Mary's University. She has a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Texas in San Antonio. Ashley has also worked at both the Family Life Center and the Family Service Association, both in San Antonio. Ashley is especially interested in and effective with couples and adolescents. As she continues to pursue her status as a Marriage and Family Associate, Ashley works for GVCCC under the title of "paraprofessional," though with a great deal more skill and experience than the average counseling paraprofessional.
Sandra-Webster Brown, M.A., LPPC, Doctoral Candidate
Sandra Webster-Brown is a compassionate individual who advocates for the rights of men and women who have challenges in today’s society. Currently she is enrolled in the PhD program at St. Mary’s University in Counselor Education and Supervision. She completed a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Argosy University, Denver and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Audiology and Speech Sciences from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. As a licensed professional counselor candidate (LPCC) she has worked with court appointed individuals on issues in domestic violence, substance, abuse, anger management and people driving under the influence (DUI). Sandra also comes with experience of working with men and women with symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma, and stressor-related disorders in private practice. Her doctoral internship to date includes counseling students in a school setting guiding them to address issues that affect them personally. Her philosophy stems from the belief that no one must remain where they are, if they are interested in a better quality of life. She also believes family structure creates an environment for children to thrive and for adults to maintain balance. In her spare time, she enjoys dancing, reading, and being with friends.
Sandra Webster-Brown is a compassionate individual who advocates for the rights of men and women who have challenges in today’s society. Currently she is enrolled in the PhD program at St. Mary’s University in Counselor Education and Supervision. She completed a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Argosy University, Denver and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Audiology and Speech Sciences from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. As a licensed professional counselor candidate (LPCC) she has worked with court appointed individuals on issues in domestic violence, substance, abuse, anger management and people driving under the influence (DUI). Sandra also comes with experience of working with men and women with symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma, and stressor-related disorders in private practice. Her doctoral internship to date includes counseling students in a school setting guiding them to address issues that affect them personally. Her philosophy stems from the belief that no one must remain where they are, if they are interested in a better quality of life. She also believes family structure creates an environment for children to thrive and for adults to maintain balance. In her spare time, she enjoys dancing, reading, and being with friends.
