Counseling Staff
The backbone of our program is our staff, who relationally commit themselves to the residents and families. Heartlight Counselors are either Licensed Professional Counselors, LPC interns or are pursuing a Master's in counseling. Striving for excellence, pursuant of relationships, and committed to returning each child home as soon as possible, all the Heartlight staff are Christians, displaying a great sense of grace and compassion when needed, and strength and discipline when necessary.
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Ashley McMahen, from Jenks, Oklahoma, comes to us after finishing her Masters of Arts in Biblical Counseling at Dallas Theological Seminary. She earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AR. Ashley is gifted in working with youth and has had a variety of opportunities as a camp counselor, a small group leader, and missions trip participant where she has been able to interact with and invest in young people. Because of her friendly and enthusiastic nature, she is a joy to be around and people are drawn to her relational personality. In her free time, Ashley enjoys watching and playing sports, building and refinishing furniture, and hanging out with friends. Ashley is married to Adam McMahen. |
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Susan Lewis is from Brownsville, TX. She attended Baylor University where she majored in Psychology. Later, she attended Abilene Christian University where she earned her Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Prior to working at Heartlight, Susan had experiences working as a camp counselor and with a mentorship program at a childrens’ home. Also, she did her internship at a campus counseling facility where she worked with teenagers as well. Susan’s compassion for struggling youth as well as her servant’s heart and sensitivity towards people who are going through tough times are vital to her role as a counselor at Heartlight. In her free time, Susan enjoys camping, running, photography, and scrapbooking. |
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Tony Michael is from Marietta, Georgia. He attended Georgia State University where he earned his Bachelors degree in Social Work, and later attended Dallas Theological Seminary where he received his Master’s degree in Biblical Counseling. Before working at Heartlight, Tony was on staff with Young Life ministries and worked at an adolescent residential treatment center/therapeutic foster care program in the Atlanta area. While living in Dallas, Tony did his practicum at a private practice and also interned at a church in Plano as a youth minister where he received his ordination. Tony’s hobbies include art, music, traveling and playing sports. Tony’s desire to point residents to the Lord and his fun-loving personality make him well-suited to his job as a counselor on our staff. |
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Kevin Shelby is originally from Houston, Texas but has been most recently been living in Searcy, Arkansas while working on his education at Harding University. There, he earned his bachelors degree in Bible and Religion, and his Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Kevin has worked in another program as a residential staff and has also worked with young people during the time he spent as a youth pastor. Because of his own difficult experiences and struggles, Kevin has a desire to help others navigate through tough circumstances in their lives and find direction and to reach their fullest potential. His God-given ability to connect with people allows him to build solid relationships with the teenagers he’s counseling. Some of his hobbies include hunting, fishing, water sports and rock climbing. |
| Ashley Hall completed her MA in Biblical Counseling from Dallas Theological Seminary in December 2007. In January she joined the counseling staff, as well as her fiancé Tony Michael, at Heartlight to pursue her passion and love for guiding teenagers as they plunge head first into everyday life situations. She is originally from Stafford, VA and earned her Bachelor’s degree in English at James Madison University. Ashley’s personality comes across soft and quiet until, after getting to know her, her outgoing and humorous side begins to surface. She enjoys spending time writing, traveling, singing and playing the guitar. Ashley is involved with ministry simply because of the realness she sees in the teenagers and her desire to walk with them through the tough times. | |
