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 and the Laetare Group PLLC. 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 and Laetare clinicians provide to parishes, institutional partners, dioceses, and communities across Texas. Read full bio
Location
St. Mary's Seminary, Houston
Dr. Larry Freeney, Jr., PhD, LPC-S, CCTP
Director of Education & Assessments
Meet Dr. Larry
Dr. Larry is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional with a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Sam Houston State University. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Minor in Christianity and a Master of Arts in Counseling at Houston Baptist University. Read Dr. Larry’s full bio
Location
Laetare Center of Katy
Liz Bencivengo, MS, LPC, LMFT
Team Leader and Parish Counselor
Meet Liz
Liz Bencivengo is an LPC and LMFT 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 y LMFT 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. Read full bio.
Locations / Localizada en:
St. Bartholomew the Apostle, Katy
St. Faustina, Fulshear
Virtual
Huong Tina Cao, M.Ed., LPC
Meet Tina
Tina is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Houston and she is a certified facilitator of the Family-to-Family Education Program of the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI). She specializes in supporting families with a severe mental health condition.
Tina là một Chuyên Viên Cố Vấn Cộng Sự tận tâm, đầy kinh nghiệm sống và chuyên môn trong lãnh vực của mình. Với bằng thạc sĩ từ Đại Học Houston về Trị Liệu Sức Khoẻ Tâm Thần, Tina kết hợp kiến thức chuyên nghiệp với hành trình cá nhân của cô để giúp đỡ những ai cần cố vấn để tìm một cuộc sống an vui và viên mãn.
Locations
Laetare Center of Katy
Cindy Contreras, MS, LPC
Parish Counselor
Meet Cindy
Cindy is an LPC with an M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of St. Thomas. She counsels adolescents, adults, couples and families.
Locations / Localizada en:
St. Ambrose, Houston
St. Cyril of Alexandria, Houston
St. Theresa, Houston
Dr. Jessica Barboza, PhD, LMFT-S
Meet Dr. Barboza
Dr. Barboza is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Supervisor. She earned a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies from Utah State University, and as a clinician she supports individuals, couples, and families in their journeys towards peace and healing. Her approach to therapy is informed by the latest advancements in trauma healing which foster resilience through emotion regulation, meaning-making, and interpersonal resolutions. She is a published author, accomplished speaker, and respected researcher in the field of family bereavement therapy. Read full bio
Location
Virtual only
Kathy Garza, M.Ed., LPC
Parish Counselor
Meet Kathy
Kathy is an LPC with an M.Ed. in Educational Psychology from University of Texas-Austin and a B.A. in Bilingual Education from University of Houston-Clear Lake. She is also credentialed as a mediator through Travis County Dispute Resolution Center.
Kathy es LPC y obtuvó una Maestría de Educación en Sicología Educativa de la Universidad de Texas en Austin y también obtuvó una Licenciatura en la Educación Bilingüe de la Universidad de Houston en Clear Lake. Tiene la credencial de mediadora por El Centro de Resolver Disputas del Condado Travis. Read full bio
Locations / Localizada en:
Virtual only
Tami Ceaser, MA, LMFT
Parish Counselor
Meet Tami
Tami is an LMFT who earned an M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Houston Christian University. She has worn multiple hats in the healthcare industry for over 20 years and most recently worked in Education within the public school system. Read full bio
Locations
Most Holy Trinity, Angleton
St. Helen, Pearland
Loran Morello, MA, LPC-A; Supervised by Dr. Larry Freeney, PhD, LPC-S, CCTP
Parish Counselor
Meet Loran
Loran is an LPC Associate with a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Sam Houston State University. She completed her undergraduate studies in psychology at Texas A&M University.
Locations
Immaculate Conception, Sealy, TX
St. Bartholomew the Apostle, Katy
St. Faustina, Fulshear
Jairo Suarez, MS, LPC
Meet Jairo
Jairo is a Licensed Professional Counselor who earned an M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at University of St. Thomas. He enjoys counseling adolescents, adults, couples and families in areas like parenting, domestic violence education, processing trauma, anger management, self-esteem, and grief.
Jairo es un consejero licensiado profesional con una Maestría en Consejería Clínica de Salud Mental obtenido de la Universidad de Santo Thomas. Jairo tiene experiencia aconsejando adolescentes, adultos, parejas y familias en áreas como crianza de los hijos, educación sobre violencia doméstica, procesamiento de traumas, manejo de la ira, autoestima y duelo. Read his bio here.
Locations / Localizada en:
Laetare Center of Katy
St. Bartholomew the Apostle, Katy
St. Ignatius of Loyola, Spring
Janet Sturtz, MA, MSW, LCSW-S
Virtual Counselor
Meet Janet
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. Read Janet's full bio.
Location / Localizada en:
Virtual only
Samantha Tavares, M.Ed., LPC
Parish Counselor
Meet Samantha
Samantha is an LPC who earned a Master of Education in Counseling and Development with a specialization in Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling at Lamar University.
Samantha es LPC y obtuvo una Maestría en Educación en Consejería y Desarrollo con una especialización en Matrimonio, Parejas y Consejería Familiar en Lamar University. Read full bio
Locations / Localizada en:
Laetare Center of Katy
Lara Hannaford, MA, LMFT-A; Supervised by Dr. Chris Stravitsch, DMin, LPC-S, LMFT-S
Parish Counselor
Meet Lara
Lara Hannaford is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate with a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Houston Christian University. Her care for families began long before her formal education in therapy: she has worked as a nanny for over twenty years, supporting parents as well as their children. Lara has a passion for helping others discover their inner strength and God-given abilities, with the hope that it brings them closer to God and His purpose for them. Read full bio.
Locations
St. Bartholomew the Apostle, Katy
St. Mary Magdalene, Humble
St. Vincent de Paul, Houston
Gabriel Gonzalez, MA, LPC-A; Supervised by Dr. Chris Stravitsch, DMin, LPC-S, LMFT-S
Parish Counselor
Meet Gabriel
Gabriel Gonzalez is an LPC Associate who graduated from Houston Christian University with an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. He earned his undergraduate degree in Religion from Saint Leo University and previously had a successful career in engineering and construction. Read his bio here.
Locations
Christ the Good Shepherd, Spring
Christ the Redeemer, Cypress
St. Ignatius of Loyola, Spring
Sts. Simon & Jude, The Woodlands
St. Mary's Seminary, Houston
Jennifer Walcik, MS, LPC-A; Supervised by Dr. Chris Stravitsch, DMin, LPC-S, LMFT-S
Parish Counselor
Meet Jennifer
Jennifer is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate who completed two masters degrees at the University of St. Thomas: One in Psychology with a focus on cognitive development and another in Clinical Mental Health and Counseling.
Locations
St. Ignatius of Loyola, Spring
St. Michael the Archangel, Houston
Joshua Calhoun, MS, LPC-A; Supervised by Dr. Larry Freeney, Jr., PhD, LPC-S
Wellness Counselor
Meet Joshua
Joshua is an LPC Associate who earned a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Divine Mercy University and completed his bachelor’s degree in psychology at Texas A&M University. Joshua has a heart for children, adolescents, and young adults and has worked with NET Ministries and Ablaze Ministries as a missionary youth minister.
Location
St. Thomas High School, Houston
Elena Gonzalez, M.Ed., LPC
Parish Counselor
Meet Elena
Elena is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas and is bilingual in English and Spanish. She earned a Master of Education in Counseling and Guidance through the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and is also a certified Grief Educator.
Elena es Consejera Profesional Licenciada en Texas y es bilingüe en inglés y español. Obtuvo una Maestría en Educación con especialización en Consejería y Orientación en la Universidad de Texas Valle del Río Grande. Elena ofrece tratamiento de apoyo a personas que enfrentan trauma complejo, depresión, duelo, ansiedad y dificultades en sus relaciones, entre otras inquietudes.
Location / Localizada en:
St. Frances Cabrini, Houston
Marco Creixell, MS, LPC-A | Supervised by Dr. Larry Freeney, PhD, LPC-S, CCTP
Parish Counselor
Meet Marco
Marco is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate with an M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of St. Thomas. He completed a bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Texas A&M University.
Marco Creixell es una LPC Asociada y completó una Maestría en Consejería Clínica de Salud Mental en la Universidad de St. Thomas. Marco se graduó de la Universidad Texas A&M con una licenciatura en Psicología.
Locations / Localizada en:
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Houston
St. John the Baptist, Alvin
Veronica Ibarra Tello | Site Supervisor: Dr. Larry Freeney, PhD, LPC-S
Practicum Student
Meet Veronica
Veronica is a graduate student at Houston Christian University, pursuing a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is supervised by Dr. Larry Freeney, PhD, LPC-S. She completed her undergraduate studies in Pyschology at the same university.
Veronica es estudiante de posgrado en la Universidad Cristiana de Houston, cursando una maestría en Consejería Clínica de Salud Mental. Está supervisada por el Dr. Larry Freeney, PhD, LPC-S. Completó sus estudios de licenciatura en Psicología en la misma universidad.
Locations / Localizada en:
St. Frances Cabrini, Houston
St. Helen, Pearland
Janelle Miller | Site Supervisor: Dr. Jessica Barboza, PhD, LMFT-S
Practicum Student
Meet Janelle
Janelle is a graduate student at Abilene Christian University, pursuing a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and is supervised by Dr. Jessica Barboza, PhD, LMFT-S. She completed her undergraduate studies in Psychology at the University of Houston.
Location
St. Bartholomew the Apostle, Katy
Cristina Guzman | Site Supervisor: Dr. Larry Freeney, PhD, LPC-S
Practicum Student
Meet Cristina
Cristina is a graduate student at Divine Mercy University pursuing a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Born in Venezuela and raised across Venezuela, Spain, and the U.S., she brings a multicultural and bilingual (English/Spanish) lens to her work. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Psychology from the University of Navarra, Spain.
Cristina es estudiante de posgrado en Divine Mercy University, cursando una Maestría en Consejería Clínica de Salud Mental. Nacida en Venezuela y criada entre Venezuela, España y Estados Unidos, aporta una perspectiva multicultural y bilingüe (inglés/español) a su trabajo. Posee una Licenciatura en Psicología Clínica de la Universidad de Navarra, España.
Locations / Localizada en:
St. Austin Center, Houston
Patricia “Patty” Amaya | Supervised by Dr. Larry Freeney, PhD, LPC-S, CCTP
Practicum Student
Meet Patty
Patty is a graduate student at the University of St. Thomas, pursuing a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is supervised by Dr. Larry Freeney, PhD, LPC-S. She completed her undergraduate studies in General Studies with a concentration in Psychology from the same university.
Locations
Sts. Simon & Jude, The Woodlands
The St. Austin Center, Houston
Belinda Trujillo | Site Supervisor: Dr. Jessica Barboza, PhD, LMFT-S
Practicum Student
Meet Belinda
Belinda is a graduate student at Houston Christian University, pursuing a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and is supervised by Dr. Jessica Barboza, PhD, LMFT-S. She completed her Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology and a Master of Arts in Sacred Scripture from the University of St. Thomas, Houston.
Belinda es estudiante de posgrado en la Universidad Cristiana de Houston, donde cursa una maestría en Terapia Matrimonial y Familiar bajo la supervisión de la Dra. Jessica Barboza, PhD, LMFT-S. Obtuvo una Maestría en Teología Pastoral y una Maestría en Sagrada Escritura de la Universidad de St. Thomas en Houston.
Locations
Sacred Heart, Conroe
Sts. Simon & Jude, The Woodlands
Rachel Raqueno | Supervised by Dr. Larry Freeney, PhD, LPC-S, CCTP
Practicum Student
Meet Rachel
Rachel is a graduate student at the University of St. Thomas, pursuing a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is supervised by Dr. Larry Freeney, PhD, LPC-S. She completed her undergraduate studies in Hearing and Speech Sciences from the University of Maryland.
Locations:
Christ the Redeemer, Houston
St. John the Baptist, Alvin
See Our Locations Near You
Christ the Good Shepherd Catholic Community, Spring
18511 Klein Church Road, Spring, TX 77379
Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Angleton
1713 North Tinsley Street, Angleton, TX 77515
St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Houston
4213 Mangum Rd, Houston, TX 77092, USA
St. Bartholomew the Apostle Catholic Church, Katy
5356 11th Street Katy, TX 77493
St. Cyril of Alexandria Catholic Church, Houston
10503 Westheimer Rd. Houston, TX 77042
St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church, Spring
7810 Cypresswood Drive, Spring, TX 77379
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Alvin
110 E. South Street, Alvin, TX 77511
St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, Humble
527 South Houston Avenue, Humble, TX 77338
St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, Houston
1801 Sage Road, Houston, TX 77056
Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church, The Woodlands
26777 Glen Loch Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77381
Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church, Cypress
11507 Huffmeister Road, Houston, Texas 77065
St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, Houston
10727 Hartsook St., Houston, TX 77034
St. Theresa in Memorial Park, Houston
6622 Haskell Street, Houston, TX 77007
St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church, Hempstead
800 FM 1488 Road, Hempstead, TX 77445
St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, North Richland Hills
7341 Glenview Dr, North Richland Hills, TX 76180
Laetare Center of Katy
THE OAKS AT MASON OFFICE PARK
2707 N MASON RD., SUITE 302
KATY, TEXAS 77449
St. Helen Catholic Church, Pearland
2209 Old Alvin Rd, Pearland, TX 77581
Laetare Center of New Braunfels
St. Faustina Catholic Church, Fulshear
28102 Farm to Market 1093, Fulshear, TX 77441
Our Lady of Wisdom Catholic University Parish, San Marcos
100 Concho St. San Marcos, TX 78666
St. Louis King of France, Austin
7601 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78757
Sacred Heart, Conroe
109 North Frazier St., Conroe, TX 77301
St. John the Baptist, San Juan
216 S. 1st St, San Juan, TX 78589
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Houston
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
6646 Addicks Satsuma Rd, Houston, TX 77084
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.