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 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 from 2003 to 2018. 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/. Dr. Wilkens is married to another great therapist, www.ashleywilkenstherapy.com, who he was lucky enough to meet in training, and they have two wonderful kids.
For more information on Dr. Wilkens, visit http://www.nicholaswilkensphd.com/. Dr. Wilkens is married to another great therapist, www.ashleywilkenstherapy.com, who he was lucky enough to meet in training, and they have two wonderful kids.
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.
Caitlin Andima, BA, MFT Intern, MMFT in progress
Caitlin Andima is a local gal who spent the last five years living in East Africa. She originally went there to do ministry work for a year but ended up finding home and staying put. She got her undergrad from Texas State in International Studies and is now on the Master of Marriage and Family Therapy, treatment of trauma track with ACU Online. Caitlin is passionate about empowering children and youth to flourish even when times are tough. Often, this means working with families to strengthen relationships and find balance in the midst of life’s curve balls. When not in the counseling room, Caitlin can be found making coffee, baking, and soaking in all the beautiful (and messy and loud) moments with her family.
Caitlin Andima is a local gal who spent the last five years living in East Africa. She originally went there to do ministry work for a year but ended up finding home and staying put. She got her undergrad from Texas State in International Studies and is now on the Master of Marriage and Family Therapy, treatment of trauma track with ACU Online. Caitlin is passionate about empowering children and youth to flourish even when times are tough. Often, this means working with families to strengthen relationships and find balance in the midst of life’s curve balls. When not in the counseling room, Caitlin can be found making coffee, baking, and soaking in all the beautiful (and messy and loud) moments with her family.
Aimee Martell, BA, Counseling Intern, MA in progress
Aimee Martell has a wealth of experience behind her. She is sweet as molasses while being tough as nails. She has served 13 years in the United States Air Force, and also has an impressive nursing background. She has a passion for working with at-risk teens, and carries with her the credibility to be effective with this quite difficult population that most counselors/therapists tend to shy away from.
She is the Guadalupe Valley Christian Counseling Center's primary counselor at Burges Alternative School - the Seguin Independent School District's home for students who are the most at-risk and in need of the most care.
She is deeply rooted in her faith, but doesn't try to make Christians out of each of her clients.
As St. Francis of Assisi said, "Preach the Gospel at all times. If absolutely necessary...use words."
Aimee Martell has a wealth of experience behind her. She is sweet as molasses while being tough as nails. She has served 13 years in the United States Air Force, and also has an impressive nursing background. She has a passion for working with at-risk teens, and carries with her the credibility to be effective with this quite difficult population that most counselors/therapists tend to shy away from.
She is the Guadalupe Valley Christian Counseling Center's primary counselor at Burges Alternative School - the Seguin Independent School District's home for students who are the most at-risk and in need of the most care.
She is deeply rooted in her faith, but doesn't try to make Christians out of each of her clients.
As St. Francis of Assisi said, "Preach the Gospel at all times. If absolutely necessary...use words."
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.
Sunny Bao, MA, Licensed Professional Counselor - Intern
I was born and raised in China, and I recently immigrated here to the US. I currently live here in Seguin with my husband who I have been married to for just over one year. I graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary in 2014 with a masters degree in biblical counseling. While I was in China I taught counseling and psychology at the University level for three years. I am very passionate about counseling and helping people. It is something that drives and motivates me every day and something that I believe God has called me to. I love to dig down to the heart of the issue and to work through anything that might be there. I especially enjoy working with children. Play therapy is an area I have always been very interested in. Overall, I am a very enthusiastic person and am very excited to get to work.
I was born and raised in China, and I recently immigrated here to the US. I currently live here in Seguin with my husband who I have been married to for just over one year. I graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary in 2014 with a masters degree in biblical counseling. While I was in China I taught counseling and psychology at the University level for three years. I am very passionate about counseling and helping people. It is something that drives and motivates me every day and something that I believe God has called me to. I love to dig down to the heart of the issue and to work through anything that might be there. I especially enjoy working with children. Play therapy is an area I have always been very interested in. Overall, I am a very enthusiastic person and am very excited to get to work.
