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
St. Ignatius of Loyola, Spring
St. Michael the Archangel, Houston
St. Theresa, Memorial Park, Houston
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.
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. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church, Hempstead
St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, Humble
Sts. Simon & Jude Catholic Church, The Woodlands
Liz Bencivengo, MS, LPC Associate, LMFT Associate; Supervised by Dr. Chris Stravitsch, DMin, LPC-S, LMFT-S
Parish Counselor
Meet Liz
Liz Bencivengo is an LPC Associate and LMFT 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 LMFT 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. Read full bio.
Locations / Localizada en:
St. Bartholomew the Apostle, Katy
St. John the Baptist, Alvin
Cindy Contreras, MS, LPC-A; Supervised by Dr. Chris Stravitsch, DMin, LPC-S, LMFT-S
Parish Counselor
Meet Cindy
Cindy is an LPC Associate 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:
Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church, Cypress
St. Cyril of Alexandria Catholic Church, Houston
St. Theresa Catholic Church, Houston
Samantha Tavares, M.Ed., LPC Associate; Supervised by Dr. Chris Stravitsch, DMin, LPC-S, LMFT-S
Parish & School Counselor
Meet Samantha
Samantha is an LPC Associate who earned a Master of Education in Counseling and Development with a specialization in Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling at Lamar University. She currently serves as a Parish Counselor at St. Bartholomew and a Counselor for students and families of St. John XXIII College Preparatory School in Katy.
Samantha es LPC Asociada y obtuvo una Maestría en Educación en Consejería y Desarrollo con una especialización en Matrimonio, Parejas y Consejería Familiar en Lamar University. Read her bio here.
Locations / Localizada en:
St. Bartholomew the Apostle, Katy
St. John XXIII College Preparatory, Katy
Melissa Abraham, LMSW; Supervised 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
Holy Rosary, Downtown Houston
Most Holy Trinity, Angleton
St. Joseph, Downtown Houston
Michelle Miller, MS, LPC-A; Supervised by Dr. Chris Stravitsch, DMin, LPC-S, LMFT-S
Parish Counselor
Meet Michelle
Michelle is an LPC Associate 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:
Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church, Cypress
St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church, Spring
St. Jerome Catholic Church, Houston
Guadalupe Fajardo, MS, LPC-A; Supervised by Dr. Chris Stravitsch, DMin, LPC-S, LMFT-S
Parish Counselor
Meet Guadalupe
Guadalupe is an LPC Associate with an M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of St. Thomas. She counsels adolescents, adults, couples and families.
Guadalupe es LPC Asociada y completó una Maestría en Consejería Clínica de Salud Mental en la Universidad de St. Thomas. Ella tiene experiencia aconsejando a niños, adolescentes, adultos, parejas y familias. Read Guadalupe's full bio
Locations / Localizada en:
St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, Houston
St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, Humble
Barry Horn, MEd, LPC-A; Supervised by Dr. Chris Stravitsch, DMin, LPC-S, LMFT-S
Parish Counselor
Meet Barry
Barry is an LPC Associate with an M.Ed. in Counseling and Development: Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling from Lamar University, and a B.A. in Sociology from Texas Tech University. He enjoys journeying with clients to find alignment with their faith, education, career, family, and marriage.. Read his bio here.
Location
Christ the Good Shepherd, Spring
Ashley Hernandez, MS, LMFT
Virtual Counselor
Meet Ashley
Ashley Frech Hernandez is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate and Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist. She earned her M.S. in Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Our Lady of the Lake University and a B.S. in Psychology from Texas A&M University. Ashley has experience working as a counselor in catholic schools and at crisis pregnancy centers. She has served both youth and adults in individual, couple, and family settings. She has walked with clients as they navigate through life’s most difficult challenges: physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, trauma, loss, anxiety, depression, relational discord, and more. Read full bio.
Laurel Fauster, PhD(cand), LMFT
Virtual 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
Sylvia Ruiz, MS, NCC, LPC Associate; Supervised by Dr. Chris Stravitsch, DMin, LPC-S, LMFT-S
Parish Counselor
Meet Sylvia
Sylvia is an LPC Associate and National Certified Counselor. She earned an M.S. in Clinical Health Mental Counseling from the University of St. Thomas. She counsels individuals, couples, and families in both English and Spanish.
Sylvia es LPC Asociada y completó una Maestría en Consejería Clínica de Salud Mental en la Universidad de St. Thomas. Ella tiene experiencia aconsejando a niños, adolescentes, adultos, parejas y familias.
Locations / Localizada en:
Sts. Simon & Jude Catholic Church, The Woodlands
Kathy Garza, M.Ed., LPC Associate; Supervised by Dr. Chris Stravitsch, DMin, LPC-S, LMFT-S
Parish Counselor
Meet Kathy
Kathy is an LPC Associate 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 Asociada 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:
St. Bartholomew the Apostle Catholic Church, Katy
Elisa Moralez; Site Supervisor: Laura Aguirre, LPC
Practicum Student
Meet Elisa
Elisa is a graduate student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at University of St. Thomas. She earned undergraduate degrees from Rice University in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science with a Concentration in Psychology. Elisa has experience working with first generation college students, immigrants, and BIPOC populations. Read bio here.
Location
Christ the Redeemer, Houston
Pablo Antonio Melendez; Site Supervisor: Lea Fauster, PhdD(cand), LMFT
Practicum Student
Meet Pablo Antonio
Pablo Antonio Melendez is a graduate student in the Masters of Science in Counseling Program at Divine Mercy University. He hopes to work with children and families as well as married couples to facilitate healing in their lives and relationships.
Pablo Antonio es una estudiante de posgrado en el programa de Terapia de Divine Mercy University. Read full bio
Locations / Localizada en:
St. Bartholomew the Apostle, Katy
Maria Chavez; Site Supervisor: Lea Fauster, PhdD(cand), LMFT
Practicum Student
Meet Maria
Maria is a graduate student in the Marriage and Family Therapy program at Abilene Christian University. She enjoys collaborating with individuals, families, and couples struggling with communication issues, addictions, behavioral problems, grief, anxiety, and depression.
María es una estudiante de posgrado en el programa de Terapia Matrimonial y Familiar de Abilene Christian University. Read full bio
Locations / Localizada en:
St. Bartholomew the Apostle, Katy
St. Frances Cabrini, Houston
Ayo Agnes Akinola; Site Supervisor: Larry Freeney, PhD(cand), LPC
Practicum Student
Meet Ayo
Ayo is currently a graduate student at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas in the Counseling – Marriage, Couples and Family program. A registered nurse, Ayo earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Administration in 2006 from Texas Southern University. Read bio here.
Locations
St. Cyril of Alexandria, Houston
See Our Locations Near You
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. 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: Parish Counseling
St. Katharine Drexel, Hempstead: Parish Counseling
Holy Rosary Catholic Church: Parish Counseling
3617 Milam St, Houston, TX 77002
Dallas-Fort Worth Office
10300 North Central Expressway, Dallas, TX 75231
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.