The Center for Christian Counseling connects well-researched interventions with Biblical counseling to provide appropriate treatment for individuals and families. Every therapist is licensed or working towards licensure with the Commonwealth of Virginia and professes faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. They are committed to providing therapy based on sound Biblical principles, using Scripture, when appropriate, to encourage and guide clients in their progress toward healing.
Licensing is important in order to provide the highest quality of Christian counseling. The therapists that work with the Center are Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. These professionals have completed a Masters Degree at an accredited college, have completed 4000 hours of training, and have passed a licensing exam in order to qualify for licensure. In addition, they engage in 20 hours of continuing education each year.
In the spirit of equipping the saints for exercising their gifting, the Center for Christian Counseling may use counseling residents who are in training and under the supervision of a licensed therapist. In these cases, each practitioner will actively be pursuing licensure with the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Therapists access a wide range of therapeutic interventions that are chosen not only for helpfulness to the client but also for their soundness from a Biblical perspective and their applicability based on well-conducted research. On a regular basis, therapists meet together to discuss relevant research and to review that research in regard to its consistency with Scripture.
A key part of therapy is prayer for clients. Therapists meet regularly to pray for clients and for the Holy Spirit’s work in their lives to bring them to a place of healing. The therapists also pray for God’s guidance in their individual approaches to counseling so that their reliance is not on their own judgment, but on God’s wisdom. God’s glory is the heart’s focus of every prayer.
Margie Satterfield
BA, MA, MS, LPC, CCC
Margie is a Licensed Professional Counselor with the Center for Christian Counseling. She earned her Master of Science in Professional Counseling from Southern Christian University and her Master of Arts in Education and Human Development from George Washington University. She is a Certified Christian Conciliator from the Institute for Christian Conciliation through Peacemaker Ministries. In addition to offering conflict counseling, Margie is a mediator specializing in cases involving business, family, interpersonal, and internal church disputes. She is also a certified PREPARE/ENRICH administrator, and uses this assessment for pre-marital counseling and marital enrichment clients.
Margie has experience working with grief, bereavement and terminal diagnoses, depression, anxiety, stress management, and interpersonal conflict. She also enjoys working with pre-marital couples and helping couples in conflict develop positive solutions to issues. She is currently conducting groups for people dealing with Compulsive Overeating and Emotional Eating Disorder. Margie works with individuals, families, and couples from adolescents to adults and the elderly. She also conducts workshops and seminars on conflict resolution and biblical peacemaking, spiritual gifting, stress management, dealing with bereavement, and other life issues.
In addition to her career as a counselor Margie has worked as a training and development professional. She has over 15 years of experience in various aspects of training, curriculum design, management, and human resources. She attended Virginia Tech and Virginia Commonwealth Universities for her undergraduate degree in Business Administration/Personnel and Labor Law, and now has over 12 years of independent consulting experience to her credit. She is a certified Myers-Briggs counselor and trainer, and has a strong background in conducting personal resource assessments.
Margie has belonged to the same church in Richmond for over 25 years, serving as an ordained deacon, women’s ministry leader, and Bible teacher. She has worked on staff at Third Presbyterian Church, assisting the pastors with their counseling needs. Margie believes in the authority of Scripture, the work of the Holy Spirit in healing, and is committed to helping you mature in Christ through the process of counseling.
Valerie Caleb
BS, MS, LPC Resident in Counseling
Valerie earned her BS in Psychology at Eastern Mennonite University and her MS in Rehabilitation Counseling at Virginia Commonwealth University. She is currently working towards licensure in Virginia as a Professional Counselor.
Valerie has worked in a variety of medical and human services settings such as Cross-Over Ministry and STEP Richmond. She has over 15 years of experience in the helping professions working with mentally and physically disabled individuals. Through her employment at The Virginia Home and Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, she has developed wisdom and insight into the special needs of the individuals with disabilities and the challenges of the families who care for them.
In addition to her health care experience, Valerie managed the Health Care for the Homeless clinic at the Daily Planet for 7 years. It was during this time that she became aware of the needs of the homeless, many of whom were living with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse issues. She counts the many experiences gained from her time with the Daily Planet and Rubicon HOPE (located at Central State Hospital) programs as molding her into the therapist she is today.
In counseling, Valerie utilizes cognitive behavior therapy and strength-based approaches. She embraces the power of God and His Holy Spirit for recovery, restoration, and reconciliation. Valerie has a strong desire to assist clients who are experiencing depression, issues related to adjustment to illness or disability, and those who are recovering from emotional traumas. During her practicum and internships at the Family Advocacy Clinic, she gained knowledge and insight into the needs of persons living with family and intimate partner violence. She is passionate about building strong and resilient marriages and relationships in families.
Valerie learned many valuable lessons in servanthood during her time at Eastern Mennonite University, and is grateful for the love and support of the church that she has attended for almost 25 years.
In her free time, Valerie enjoys reading, walking and spending time with family and friends.
Carolyn Higgins
BA, MA, NCC, LPC Resident in Counseling
Carolyn earned her BA in Psychology at Bloomsburg University and her MA at Eastern University in Pennsylvania. She earned her National Counselor Certification in 2002. She is currently working towards licensure in Virginia as a Professional Counselor. Carolyn has worked in a variety of settings ranging from counselor in a women’s shelter in Philadelphia, to victim advocate for Maryland’s Dept. of Corrections, to case manager for a residential treatment facility for at risk youth.
Carolyn works from a Biblical perspective using psychoanalytic, cognitive behavioral, and solution focused modalities as she works with children, adolescents, and their families. Her counseling is holistic, treating the body, soul and spirit. She supports clients in their healing through the use of God’s Word and encouraging a more consistent walk with Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Carolyn is certified in Crisis Debriefing and her counseling is trauma focused. She works with children, youth and adults suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress, Depression, Grief and Loss, and Anxiety. Carolyn has a special heart for youth, as well as for the US Military, both active duty and veterans.
Aside from counseling, she is married and has three children. She has taught several Bible studies and participated in intercessory prayer groups. She enjoys equestrian activities and keeping up with current events.
Alec Kean
BA, MA, LPC Resident in Counseling
Alec was awarded a BA in Religious Studies from the College of Charleston in South Carolina and his MA in Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida.
Alec has 12 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and families in many settings including education, coaching, spiritual development, and talk therapy. He has extensive experience working with a wide array of issues, including such areas as family relationships, divorce, navigating adolescence, addictions, emotional trauma, and couple’s counseling. Alec is certified in Prepare-Enrich and uses this valuable tool when working with couples and in pre-marital counseling.
In his counseling, Alec utilizes an integrative approach in which he draws from such theories as Adlerian, Relational, and Systems theory. Alec ascribes to the theory that real and lasting change occurs through addressing not just behaviors, but the deeper issues of the heart.
Alec believes that the redemption and forgiveness that is offered through Christ’s death and resurrection is what provides hope for each of us. He views his role to be that of someone who journeys alongside his client while God speaks into their lives.
In addition to counseling, Alec and his wife like to take walks, attend sporting events, and share their hospitality with others. In quieter moments, Alec likes to read and relax with friends.
Sarah Joyner
BA, MA, LPC
Sarah is a Licensed Professional Counselor with the Center for Christian Counseling. She earned her BA in Biology from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana and her MA in Counseling from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky.
In meeting with clients, Sarah utilizes a holistic approach, viewing and addressing persons as whole beings, consisting of body, mind, soul, and spirit. Likewise, in her work with clients, Sarah integrates psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and systems therapies with a desire to seek and rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance as to the needs of each person. Sarah feels called to assist individuals, couples, and families in their journeys toward health and wholeness.
Sarah’s experience and range of practice include such areas as family relationships, couples counseling, childhood issues and trauma, grief and loss, depression, and anxiety. Sarah also has experience working with college students and at-risk youth and their families.
Sarah enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 year old as well as running, reading good fiction, and making green smoothies.