Always Hope Counseling
Counseling with a faith-based perspective
Approach & Values
Counseling is a sacred trust between the individual and a counselor. The goal of this trusted relationship is to improve each client’s quality of life by helping the client overcome false beliefs, challenge negative narratives, calm anxiety, resolve conflict, and heal past trauma. Working together, client and counselor also seek to identify client strengths, explore healthy solutions, and develop strategies for hopeful living.
At Always Hope Counseling, our counselors use evidence-based psychological treatment techniques and practices along with faith based principles and values.
While our counselors promote no organized religion or religious denomination, our counselors work from a Biblical worldview. Our counselors in no way discriminate against clients of varied religions or faith, nor do they require clients to hold a Biblical worldview in order to receive treatment.
While we believe the Bible is the inspired and written Word of God, we encourage that you seek support from your own church and pastoral resources for questions and issues that involve specific doctrinal and/or religious questions and practices.
There is always hope… Always.
Services
Individual Therapy
This type of therapy is focused on the development of a one-to-one relationship with the therapist.
*Walk and Talk option available.
Couples Therapy
Usually involves an intense focus on improving the communication pattern within the couple.
Family & Group Therapy
Emphasizes helping participants to understand the projection they have toward other members, while learning from the feedback they receive.
EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocess is a fantastic tool to help rewire the neur-networks and responses of the brain for a person recovering from trauma and truly help them move forward in life and not be held back by trauma symptoms such as (flashbacks, dissociative events, intrusive thoughts or memories, negative self belief or ideations, hyper-vigilance, panic attacks, severe anxiety and depression and self destructive behaviors and Relationships.
DBT
Dialectical Behavior Therapy is a wonderful tool that helps people begin to get comfortable with two distressing truths at the same time. Frequently life situations try to insist we embrace ideas in an “either / or” type of fashion, when the actually reality is more or a “both/and”. When we can live out the truth of a dual role or even paradoxical truth we are better able to handle life stress and experience emotions and rational as useful helpers to our decision making abilities.
IMAGO
A hands on approach to couples counseling which teaches couples skills to learn how to communicate better with their partners as well as helping them gain insight into their understanding of love, relationship, self, and their partner while also learning how to respect their individual differences while also learning to cultivate a relationship in which both people are getting their wants and needs fulfilled.
During your first session, you and your therapist will have the opportunity to become familiar with one another, will explore what issues you are dealing with and begin designing a plan for your personal journey.
Walk & Talk
What is Walk & Talk therapy?
Walk & Talk is a mindfulness-based body oriented therapy that can make it easier for clients to relax, stop ruminating, release physical tension, breathe deep and receive mind-body insight while processing experiences in a different way. As the name describes, clients talk with me while walking outdoors rather than sitting or lying down in a therapy office. Walking side by side rather than sitting face to face enables some clients to feel more comfortable when sharing in the therapy process.
Expertise
Anxiety
Depression
Mindful Living
Grief
Physical & Sexual Abuse
Adoption Counseling
Relationship Issues
Infidelity
Sexual Issues
Marriage & Family
Parenting Issues
Foster Parenting Issues
Treatment Approaches
Our therapists are experienced in many treatment approaches and utilize them based on specific client needs. We do not take a “one size fits all” approach but work to offer treatments and techniques that work best for you.
Solution Focused
A goal oriented treatment approach empowering clients to take ownership of their individual abilities and strengths to solve life problems.
Cognitive Behavioral
Helping clients understand how thoughts influence their behavior while helping clients identify irrational or harmful thoughts, assess them, and reframe their thoughts in a positive and beneficial way.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Helping clients face and work to resolve their problems rather than running from them.
Mindfulness
Helping clients develop awareness, acceptance and management of one’s thoughts and feelings in the present moment. It is often used in conjunction with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
Motivational Interviewing
Helping clients overcome ambivalence to achieve positive behavioral change.
Conflict Resolution
A problem-solving approach, conflict resolution helps clients learn how to communicate more effectively, avoid emotional pitfalls and how to work toward relationship resolutions.
Teletherapy
Kathryn Dunigan
Licensed Therapist – LCSW
Kathryn was born and raised in central Indiana, spending most of her early life on her grandparent’s rural farm before moving to Northern Indiana, where she lived for many years. Kathryn and her husband moved to Southern Indiana over 30 years ago where she attended the University of Southern Indiana, obtaining her undergraduate degree majoring in Psychology. After raising their daughter, Kathryn returned to USI and obtained her Master of Social Work degree.
Kathryn worked at The Literacy Center in Evansville, IN helping adult learners overcome their educational, social and emotional challenges, serving as the Executive Director for 2.5 years. Kathryn has also worked as the Adult Ministries Director, providing emotional and spiritual support for members at 500+ member Methodist church, also in Evansville. She completed clinical work at Deaconess Hospice and has also been an Adjunct Instructor at the University of Southern Indiana for the past 14 years.
Kathryn’s passion is to help clients experience healing and find hope, to discover their passions and purpose for living, and to help them live well-balanced and soul centered-lives. She treats individuals and couples of all ages in all stages of life and has experience in Mindfulness Therapy and Mindful Living Practices, Solution Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Grief Therapy, as well as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. As a cancer survivor, Kathryn also uses her personal experience to guide and support individuals and families journeying through that difficult process.
Jean A. Wilson
Licensed Therapist – LCSW
Jean holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Southern Indiana, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a long-term member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Jean has been counseling, encouraging, and helping clients for over 21 years, specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy, Abuse, Addiction, Anxiety and Depression.
In addition to working in her private practice, Jean has worked in the University of Southern Indiana’s counseling center, has volunteered her time at a residential addictions treatment center, has actively participated in jail ministry, and worked as an adjunct instructor for 17 years.
Jean utilizes solution focused treatment approaches, as well as cognitive behavioral therapies in conjunction with a Biblical worldview and treatment approach. She works with clients to identify and challenge their false beliefs, identify their strengths while helping them pave a positive path forward
Jean is married with 5 adult children, 2 adopted, and has experience as a foster parent.
Abigail Mason
Licensed Therapist – LCSW
Abigail Mason is a dedicated mental health professional with a strong background in community mental health. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Hanover College and later pursued a master’s in Social Work from the University of Southern Indiana. Abigail’s decision to return to her hometown of Evansville for her studies reflects her commitment to her community and her desire to make a positive impact on the lives of its residents.
Throughout her six years of experience in the field, Abigail has developed a compassionate and client-centered approach to therapy. She is passionate about helping individuals overcome life’s challenges and barriers to well-being. Abigail is well-versed in evidence-based practices and possesses a deep understanding of the complexities of mental health.
Abigail’s therapeutic approach emphasizes collaboration and empowerment. She works closely with her clients to foster resilience, promote self-awareness, and empower them to lead fulfilling lives. Abigail creates a safe and nurturing environment where clients feel comfortable exploring their thoughts, emotions, and experiences.
Overall, Abigail Mason is a skilled and empathetic mental health professional dedicated to providing personalized care and support to her clients in Evansville and beyond.
Lauren Coppens
Licensed Therapist – LCSW
Lauren, a dedicated mental health therapist, was born and raised in Evansville, Indiana before embarking on her educational journey at the University of Alabama. There, she pursued her undergraduate degree in Human Development and Family Studies, fostering a deep understanding of human relationships and growth. After four enriching years, Lauren returned to her hometown, where she completed her Masters of Social Work degree at the University of Southern Indiana. During this time, she met her now-husband Tyler, and they happily settled back into Evansville life alongside their beloved dog, Leroy.
For the past six years, Lauren has been devoted to her work at Echo Community Healthcare, driven by a passion for helping children of all ages, expectant and new mothers, and families as a whole. With a heartfelt commitment to supporting underserved populations and guiding clients through childhood trauma and life’s myriad changes, Lauren brings a compassionate approach to her practice.
In her therapeutic journey, Lauren aims to empower clients by challenging negative beliefs and discovering what brings them joy and fulfillment. Recognizing the unique value in every individual she encounters, she embraces clients of all ages and cherishes the opportunity to learn from each person she meets. Lauren’s specialties include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Attachment-Based Therapy. She firmly believes in meeting individuals where they are, honoring their pursuit to be the true architects of their own lives.
With Lauren as your guide, you can expect unwavering support, a safe space for exploration, and a partnership dedicated to helping you recognize your worth and strengths. Together, you will navigate the intricacies of your journey, embracing growth, healing, and transformative change.
Christopher Miller
Licensed Therapist – LCSW
Chris first came to southern Indiana for college in 2005 to run Cross Country and study psychology and music at Oakland City University. After Graduating in 2009 he met his wife Angela and began to work in the mental health field for a few years before deciding he wanted to pursue his passion of helping others further by getting a MSW from the University of Southern Indiana in 2013. Chris has been serving our community as a mental health therapist ever since.
Now, with more then a decade of experience Chris has been able to empower people to achieve their individual goals by utilizing stregth based perspectives and Evidence based treatments such as EMDR, CBT, DBT, ACT, IMAGO and other client centered approaches. He strongly believes when you are able to provide hope for a person and help them discover the strength they have inside of them and you mix that with the guidance of science, honor the real life experience of the client, use sound clinical experience and judgment, and hold on to faith you are able to get true and sustainable positive life change.
Chris began his clinical practice by working in community mental health clinics where he became skilled at working with people who are recovering from trauma. It was during this time he began to really understand the meaning of proverbs 13:12 “Hope deferred makes the heart grow sick, but a longing fulfilled is the tree of life.” When a person is able to find hope, there truly is nothing that can stop that person from healing and achieving what they set the goals they set their heart on. Chris then began to work for his Alma Mater USI as a counselor and help students with their mental health, life stress, and at times crisis resolution. He also continued to serve the community to help other professionals gain licensure, serve on boards, and help host a few mental health support groups. In 2020, Chris began to work part time in private practice to better meet the changing needs of his family as he was blessed with two children and likes to spend as much time with them as possible.
Chris’s main life wo mpower people through hope. Oftentimes it is very easy to lose hope when life gets hard, relationships struggle, grief sets in, pain becomes almost unbearable, or you just feel stuck and begin to think things can never change because you have tried so hard so many times and haven’t found they way yet. What is also true about those moments in life, when you are experiencing incredible stress; is that when youcan hold onto to hope and find a way to recover, you will be truly amazed about what you can overcome, become, and how beautiful life can be.
Leah Houghton
Licensed Therapist – LCSW
Leah is an experienced mental health clinician having worked in outpatient, inpatient, partial hospital, Veteran’s health, and crisis settings in her 23 years of mental health work and advocacy.
Growing up near St. Louis, Leah obtained her undergraduate degree from Truman State University before moving to Kansas City to complete her Masters in Social Work degree at the University of Missouri – Kansas City. Having planned to return to St. Louis upon completing her master’s degree, she quickly decided to instead settle in Chief’s Kingdom and make the area her home after meeting her husband, a Kansas City native, while in graduate school. She and her family relocated to the Evansville area a few years ago and they have enjoyed being a part of the community.
Leah believes that we are all created in God’s image, being fearfully and wonderfully made to be a whole person – mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Her best-practice approach incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) strategies. As Certified Integrative Mental Health Practitioner, Leah also has a sincere passion for walking the journey of healing and health with each client through discussions on healthy lifestyle choices and integrating healthy somatic strategies whenever helpful.
In a world filled with so many “what ifs,” Leah has a sincere heart for individuals experiencing grief, depression, and anxiety. She truly believes we can meet the discomfort of uncertainty that comes from living in a fallen world with confidence and practical skills for living boldly.
Angie Schwengel
Licensed Therapist – LCSW
Angie Schwengel was born in southern Indiana and continues to reside there with her husband and two children. Angie is a licensed mental health counselor in Indiana. She received her Masters of Counseling degree from Liberty University and has been practicing counseling through community and faith based counseling centers since 2008. While receiving her Master’s degree in counseling, she worked as a case manager in specialized foster care supporting foster families and children with an array of social and emotional concerns. She went on to complete her counseling degree and gain experience counseling a variety of populations including families in crisis, foster care, adoptive families, and the general community before coming to work at Crossroads Christian Church’s counseling center in 2014, which has now merged with Always Hope Counseling. During her time at Crossroads, she worked with people from within and outside the Christian faith, sometimes even working through past wounds from faith-based organizations or assisting in addressing issues of spiritual abuse.
Angie works with children and adults ages 5 and above. She is experienced in play and sand tray therapy techniques for children. She utilizes an eclectic approach with concentrations in Cognitive-Behavioral and Person-Centered methodologies with adolescents and adults. Angie’s passion is to offer a whole person approach to counseling, one that focused on Spirit, Mind, and Body and to be used by God through the counseling process to bring ultimate healing.
The decision to talk to a therapist is an important one. Angie is passionate about the freedom that can be found through the therapeutic process and is excited to meet you where you are to walk alongside you or your child on the journey of healing.
Edie Webb
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate – LMHCA
Edie is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA) and was born and raised across the river in Owensboro, KY and loves her Kentucky Wildcats! Edie is married and has a beautiful child who reminds her daily of God’s goodness. In her spare time, Edie loves to read, watch all things UK and NFL and she loves to golf.
After graduating from Kentucky Wesleyan College, Edie attended The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and received her Masters of Divinity in Biblical Counseling. She then pursued a Masters of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of the Cumberlands and now holds licensure in the state of Indiana.
She has a passion for helping adolescents, teens and adults find their voice and their worth while meeting each client where they are. Being raised a pastor’s daughter and now being married to a pastor, Edie can relate to the unique walk of life in ministry and has a passion for walking alongside those in vocational ministry with church hurt and fatigue. Edie is solution focused and loves to help her clients set and achieve goals! God has shown Edie time and again that He is sufficient and His power is made perfect in our weakness. For this reason, she views counseling as her opportunity to minister to those walking through life’s hard seasons pointing client’s to Christ through the counseling process.
Edie views individuals as both body and soul, and her goal in counseling is to address both the physical and spiritual components of those in her care.
Edie knows reaching out for help can be scary, but absolutely worthwhile. God has gifted her with the ability and passion of being present with others. So whether you need a listening ear, biblical wisdom, coping techniques, or someone to sit in the silence with you, Edie would love to help.
Our Practice
Locations
1133 West Mill Road, Suite 211
Evansville, Indiana 47710
Make an Appointment
Please feel to send an email at [email protected]
or call 812-250-9255 to set up a time for you to chat and connect with us
Appointment Hours
Monday: 9am – 6pm
Tuesday: 9am – 6pm
Wednesday: 9am – 6pm
Thursday: 9am – 6pm
Friday & Saturday: As Needed