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. 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. 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

Justin Perry, MS, LMFT Associate; Supervised by Dr. Chris Stravitsch, LPC-S, LMFT-S
Parish Counselor
Meet Justin
Justin Perry is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate who earned an MS in Marriage and Family Therapy from University of Southern Mississippi. He earned a BA in Psychology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville following two years as a seminarian at St. Joseph’s Seminary College in Covington, LA. In counseling, Justin can address anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, family conflict, adolescent behavioral issues and more. Read full bio.
Location
St. Bartholomew the Apostle, Katy

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

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.
Locations
St. Bartholomew the Apostle, Katy
St. Frances Cabrini, Houston
St. John the Baptist, Alvin

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

Monica Hildebrand, MS, LPC Associate; Supervised by Julie Nicodemus Jones, PhD, LPC-S
Virtual Counselor
Meet Monica
Monica Hildebrand is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate and holds an M.S. in Counseling with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Divine Mercy University in Sterling, Va. She counsels individuals, couples, families, adolescents, and children. Monica is a trauma-informed counselor with competence in depression, anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, group therapy, marriage and relationship distress, play therapy, and spirituality. As a certified Spiritual Director, she easily integrates faith with counseling. Read full bio.

Ashley Hernandez, MS, LMFT-A; Supervised by Dr. Chris Stravitsch, DMin, LPC-S, LMFT-S
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.

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

Kenneth Anicete; Supervised by Laura Aguirre, LPC
Practicum Student
Meet Kenneth
Kenneth Anicete is a mental health counseling student studying at Divine Mercy University. As a former seminarian, he received his Bachelor of Philosophy and Theological Studies from St. Joseph Abbey Seminary College in Covington, Louisiana. Read his bio here.
Location
St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church, Spring
Sts. Simon & Jude Catholic Church, The Woodlands

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

Raquel Shaw; Supervised by Laura Aguirre, LPC
Practicum Student
Meet Raquel
Raquel is a graduate student studying Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Houston, where she's training for excellence in professional skill development, theoretical knowledge, personal disposition, and cross-cultural awareness.
Raquel es una estudiante de nivel de maestría que estudia Consejería Clínica de Salud Mental en la Universidad de Houston. Obtuvo una licenciatura en Artes de la Universidad de Houston con especialización en Psicología con una especialización en Desarrollo Humano y Estudios Familiares. Read her bio here.
Locations
St. Bartholomew the Apostle, Katy

Norma Gonzalez; Supervised by Larry Freeney, PhD(cand), LPC
Practicum Student
Meet Norma
Norma is currently studying counseling mental health with Prairie View University. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Houston, Downtown. In the past, she has worked with children with disabilities as an assistant teacher and hopes to become a licensed practicing counselor. Read full bio.
Location
St. Bartholomew the Apostle Catholic Church, 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
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.