Welcome – Your Journey to Joy Begins Here!
We want you to celebrate your life. But we understand that emotional pain and broken relationships can steal your joy. So, if you are in need of professional counseling for emotional, psychological, or relationship healing then you have come to the right place. As Catholic counselors, we will journey with you towards healing, stronger relationships, and the true joy that comes from our Loving God.
Meet the Rejoice Counselors serving Greater Houston
Dr. Chris Stravitsch, D.Min, LPC-S, LMFT-S
President and Founder
Meet Dr. Chris
Dr. Chris Stravitsch is the President and Founder of Rejoice Counseling Apostolate. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor. He earned a Doctor of Ministry from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, and a dual degree in Pastoral Counseling from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas, which consisted of a M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy and M.A. in Pastoral Ministry. Chris oversees the counseling services that Rejoice Counseling Apostolate provides to Catholic parishes throughout the Greater Houston area and San Antonio. Read full bio
Locations
Christ the Redeemer, Houston
St. Mary's Seminary, Houston
Larry Freeney, Jr., PhD (cand.), LPC
Parish Counselor
Meet Larry
Larry is a Licensed Professional Counselor completing a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision at Sam Houston State University. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Minor in Christianity (2014) and a Master of Arts in Counseling (2016) at Houston Baptist University. Read Larry’s full bio
Locations
Christ the Good Shepherd, Spring
St. Ignatius of Loyola, Spring
St. Theresa, Memorial Park, Houston
Janet Sturtz, MA, MSW, LCSW-S
Parish Counselor
Janet Sturtz is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Supervisor with over 20 years of experience as a therapist. She has a Masters in Spanish Literature from Kent State University (Ohio) and a Masters is Social Work from the University of South Florida (Tampa). She counsels individuals, couples, and families in both English and Spanish.
Janet Sturtz es una trabajadora social clínica licenciada y supervisora con más de 20 años de experiencia como terapeuta. Tiene una maestría en literatura española de Kent State University (Ohio) y una maestría en trabajo social de University of South Florida (Tampa). Janet ofrece el servicio de consejería a individuos, parejas y familias en dos idiomas, Ingles y Español.
Locations / Localizada en:
Virtual only
Laura Aguirre, MA, LPC
Parish Counselor
Meet Laura
Laura Aguirre is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Sam Houston State University. She counsels individuals, couples, and families in both English and Spanish.
Laura es una Consejera Profesional con Licencia. Ella logro su bachillerato de ciencia de psicología y su maestría de arte en consejería clínico en salud mental de la universidad de Sam Houston State. Laura ofrece el servicio de consejería a individuos, parejas y familias en dos idiomas, Ingles y Español.
Locations / Localizada en:
Christ the Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Spring
St. Jerome Catholic Church, Houston
St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, Humble
Sts. Simon & Jude Catholic Church, The Woodlands
Gary Russell, MA., LPC, LCDC
Parish Counselor
Meet Gary
Gary is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor. He completed a Master of Arts in Counseling at Houston Baptist University. As a parish counselor, Gary can address depression, anxiety, self-esteem, relationships, substance and behavioral addictions, emotional abuse, marital healing and enrichment, divorce distress and recovery, parenting, and authentic masculinity from a Catholic perspective. He works with adults, youth, couples, and families. Read full bio.
Locations
St. Joseph Catholic Church, Downtown Houston
St. Michael Catholic Church, Houston
Lauren Guido, MS, LMFT Associate, LPC Associate; Supervised by Dr. Chris Stravitsch, DMin, LPC-S, LMFT-S
Parish Counselor
Meet Lauren
Lauren Guido is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate and Licensed Professional Counselor Associate who earned a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from Capella University. She receives counseling supervision from Dr. Chris Stravitsch, DMin, LPC-S, LMFT-S. Lauren earned a Bachelor of Arts in Catholic Theology from the University of Dallas. In counseling, Lauren can address depression, anxiety, self-esteem, addictions, emotional abuse, relationships, marriage and family life, and more. Read full bio.
Location
Christ the Redeemer, Houston
Matthew Pici, M.Ed., LPC
Parish Counselor
Meet Matt
Matthew Pici is a Licensed Professional Counselor who earned a Master of Education in Counseling from the University of Houston-Victoria. He is also a certified School Counselor in the State of Texas. He has worked as a Catholic school counselor, principal, campus minister, art teacher, and theology teacher in the past. He counsels individuals, couples, and families. Read full bio.
Locations
Virtual Only
Melissa Abraham, LMSW; Superised by Janet Sturtz, LCSW-S
Parish Counselor
Meet Melissa
Melissa Abraham is a Licensed Master Social Worker who graduated from Baylor University and receives counseling supervision from Janet Sturtz, MA, MSW, LCSW-S. She provides counseling and psychoeducation on topics such as grief, anxiety, addictions, depression, coping skills, women's issues, family relationships and more. She loves integrating Catholic faith with mental health. Read full bio.
Locations
Christ the Redeemer, Houston
Most Holy Trinity, Angleton
St. Cyril of Alexandria, Houston
Dr. Bia Lima, PhD, LPC Associate; Supervised by Dr. Chris Stravitsch, DMin, LPC-S, LMFT-S
Supervised by Dr. Chris Stravitsch, DMin, LPC-S, LMFT-S
Meet Dr. Bia
Dr. Bia Lima has a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; a Masters in Psychology, Development, and Education from Universidad de Cádiz, Spain; and a Specialist Degree in Clinical Psychology from Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, supervised by Dr. Chris Stravitsch.
Dra. Bia Lima tiene un doctorado en Educación y Supervisión de Consejeros del Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Ella es una asociada de consejera profesional con licencia, supervisada por el Dr. Chris Stravitsch.
Locations: Localizada en:
Virtual only
Liz Bencivengo, LPC Associate; Supervised by Dr. Chris Stravitsch, DMin, LPC-S, LMFT-S
Parish Counselor
Meet Liz
Liz Bencivengo is an LPC Associate with an M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Houston-Victoria. Liz received her bachelor’s degree in Educational Development from Anahuac University in Mexico, and has a Master’s in Religious Sciences from Universidad Regina Apostolorum in Rome, Italy.
Liz Bencivengo es LPC Asociada y se graduó de la Universidad de Houston-Victoria con una Maestría en Consejería Clínica de Salud Mental. Liz cursó la carrera de Educación y Desarrollo en la Universidad Anáhuac en la ciudad de México y obtuvo una Maestría en Ciencias Religiosas en la Universidad Regina Apostolorum en Roma, Italia.
Locations
St. Bartholomew the Apostle, Katy
St. Frances Cabrini, Houston
St. John the Baptist, Alvin
Laurel Fauster, PhD(cand), LMFT
Parish Counselor
Meet Lea
Lea is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist completing a Ph.D. in Counselor Education at Sam Houston State University. She earned a B.S. in Psychology and a B.S. in Criminal Justice (2013) at Sam Houston State University and an M.S. in Psychology (2016) at Our Lady of the Lake University. Read Lea’s full bio
Locations
Sts. Simon & Jude, The Woodlands
Michelle Miller; Supervised by Laura Aguirre, LPC
Practicum Student
Meet Michelle
Michelle is a current Mental Health and Counseling graduate student at the University of St. Thomas in Houston. She is gaining professional counseling experience in our Practicum & Internship Student Program, which aims to form the next generation of Catholic counselors.
Michelle es una estudiante de la Universidad de St. Thomas-Houston que esta estudiando para obtener la maestria en Consejeria y Salud Mental. Read Michelle's full bio
Locations
St. Ignatius of Loyola, Spring
St. Jerome, Houston
Guadalupe Fajardo; Supervised by Laura Aguirre, LPC
Practicum Student
Meet Guadalupe
Guadalupe Fajardo is a graduate practicum student working towards a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of St. Thomas-Houston. She is currently gaining professional counseling experience in our Practicum & Internship Student Program, which aims to form the next generation of Catholic counselors.
Guadalupe Fajardo es una estudiante de la Universidad de St. Thomas-Houston que esta estudiando para obtener la maestria en Consejeria y Salud Mental. Read Guadalupe's full bio
Locations
St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, Houston
Cindy Contreras; Supervised by Larry Freeney, PhD(cand), LPC
Practicum Student
Meet Cindy
Cindy is a Mental Health and Counseling graduate student at the University of St. Thomas in Houston. She is gaining professional counseling experience in our Practicum & Internship Student Program, which aims to form the next generation of Catholic counselors.
Cindy es una estudiante de la Universidad de St. Thomas-Houston que esta estudiando para obtener la maestria en Consejeria y Salud Mental. Read her bio here.
Locations
Christ the Redeemer, Houston
St. Bartholomew the Apostle, Katy
Barry Horn; Supervised by Larry Freeney, PhD(cand), LPC
Practicum Student
Meet Barry
Barry is currently a graduate student at Lamar University in their Counseling and Development-Family, Couples, and Marriage program. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Texas Tech University. Barry has served diverse, underrepresented populations for over five years in a community college setting. Through helping community college students, he recognized the need for mental health support within his community. Barry is committed to serving others through counseling. Read his bio here.
Locations
Christ the Redeemer, Houston
Samantha Tavares; Supervised by Larry Freeney, PhD(cand), LPC
Practicum Student
Meet Samantha
Samantha is a graduate student in the Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling program at Lamar University. She has over nine years of previous counseling experience in Brazil, her country of origin, where she earned an undergraduate degree in Psychology. She enjoys working with individuals, as well as families and couples, who are struggling with communication issues, addictions, behavioral problems, grief, and chronic pain.
Samantha es una estudiante en el programa de maestría en el programa de Matrimonio, Parejas y Consejería Familiar en la Universidad de Lamar. Read her bio here.
Locations
Christ the Redeemer, Houston
Ashley Rodriguez; Supervised by Laura Aguirre, LPC
Practicum Student
Meet Ashley
Ashley is a Mental Health and Counseling graduate student at the University of St. Thomas in Houston. She is gaining professional counseling experience in our Practicum & Internship Student Program, which aims to form the next generation of Catholic counselors.
Ashley es una estudiante de la Universidad de St. Thomas-Houston que esta estudiando para obtener la maestria en Consejeria y Salud Mental. Read her bio here.
Locations
St. Bartholomew the Apostle, Katy
See Our Locations Near You
HOUSTON
Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church
11507 Huffmeister Road, Houston, TX 77065
St. Cyril of Alexandria Catholic Church
10503 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77042
St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church
10727 Hartsook St., Houston, TX 77034
St. Jerome Catholic Church
8825 Kempwood Dr, Houston, TX 77080
St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church
1801 Sage Rd, Houston, TX 77056
St. Joseph Catholic Church
1505 Kane Street, Houston, TX 77007
St. Theresa, Memorial Park
6622 Haskell Street, Houston, TX 77007
HUMBLE
St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church
527 South Houston Avenue, Humble, TX 77338
SPRING & THE WOODLANDS
Christ the Good Shepherd Catholic Church
18511 Klein Church Rd, Spring, TX 77379
St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church
7810 Cypresswood Dr, Spring, Texas 77379
St. James the Apostle Catholic Church
22800 Aldine Westfield, Spring, TX 77373
Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church
26777 Glen Loch Dr, Spring, TX 77381
ALVIN
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
110 E. South Street, Alvin, TX 77511
ANGLETON
Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church
1713 North Tinsley Street, Angleton, TX 77515
HEMPSTEAD
St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church
800 FM 1488 Road, Hempstead, TX 77445
KATY
St. Bartholomew the Apostle Catholic Church
5356 Eleventh Street, Katy, TX 77493
View our Katy page here
Christ the Good Shepherd Catholic Community: Parish Counseling
Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church: Parish Counseling
St. Joseph Catholic Church
St. Bartholomew the Apostle Catholic Church: Parish Counseling
St. Cyril of Alexandria Catholic Church: Parish Counseling
St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church: Parish Counseling
St. James the Apostle Catholic Church: Parish Counseling
St. Jerome Catholic Church: Parish Counseling
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church: Parish Counseling
St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church: Parish Counseling
St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church: Parish Counseling
Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church: Parish Counseling
Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church: Parish Counseling
St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church: Parish Counseling
St. Theresa in Memorial Park
St. Katharine Drexel, Hempstead
It was reassuring to have our counselor lead us in prayer.
Real people, Real results.
When I started seeing my counselor at Rejoice Counseling Apostolate I felt lost. After my sessions, I felt like I had been given direction and a lot of support.