About Us
Elizabeth Young, M.Ed., LPC
Elizabeth has been a Licensed Professional Counselor for almost 12 years. She enjoys helping couples develop a secure connection and find the closeness they long for. She is fully trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples, (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/200901/hold-me-tight), and has spent the last 7 years honing her skills through intensive participation in Externships and Core Skills I-IV. Additionally, she has completed faith-focused training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (https://createdforconnection.com).
Early in her career Elizabeth also received professional training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy. She uses some elements of this approach in combination with Cognitive Behavior Therapy (https://www.counselingreviews.com/blog/cbt-vs-dbt/). She has successfully helped individuals who are struggling with moderate-to-severe depression, anxiety, grief and loss, and relationship difficulties. Elizabeth takes a client-focused, collaborative approach to help those she works with clearly identify their needs and goals for therapy.
For those who prefer a faith-based counseling experience, Elizabeth can meet clients where they are and incorporate spiritual care into mental health care. Clients who do not desire a spiritual component in session will also find that she can work with them in a manner that is respectful and congruous with their needs.
When she is not in the office, Elizabeth enjoys exercise, spending time with her husband and family, crafts and reading, volunteering at her church, and engaging in her own personal growth.
Joel Harris, M.A., LPC
Joel has 10 years experience in counseling and has been working in the social services field since 2004. He has a BA in Psychology from Asbury University and a MA in Counseling Psychology from Huntington University. He is a Nationally Certified Counselor and he is currently licensed in the states of Oklahoma and Indiana. He has worked with at-risk teens, individuals, and families in home-based, school, office, residential, and tele-health settings. His favorite population to work with is teens and young adults, but he also enjoys couples, families, and individuals. He has counseled those wrestling with mood disorders like depression and bipolar, various anxiety disorders, individuals with substance use histories, traumas, grief and loss, adjustment disorders, personality disorders, anger management, sexual abuse/sexual offense histories, pre-marital and marital issues, divorce, and relationship instability. He has received training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Motivational Interviewing(MI), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and likes to utilize Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Existential, Gestalt, and Adlerian Therapy modalities. Those hoping for a therapist with a faith background, or struggling with issues of faith and values will appreciate his approach to counseling. He is grateful for the opportunity to walk through this chapter and take you to the next chapter of your life!
Katie Houston, Executive Director
Katie is hoping to use her business experience to help Stillwater Interfaith grow and help end the stigma of mental health. Katie spent 8 years helping her family grow their business in Weatherford, OK. She decided to move to Stillwater and start a new career path. She is hoping to be an asset to the Stillwater Interfaith and a knowing face around the community.
When Katie is not working, she is a mom to two beautiful daughters and fiancé to Jacob. They all keep her very busy. Her family loves to be outside together. They travel as much as they can but love calling Stillwater home.
Our History
The ministerial staffs and congregations of seven Stillwater churches began in 1995 to develop a pastoral counseling center to meet the growing need for affordable therapy in the community. Initially the center was affiliated with the Samaritan Institute, a national training and organizing service for counseling.
After becoming independent of Samaritan, SIFCC was further developed to employ two licensed professional counselors who offered part-time services to all who requested them out of a small cottage provided at no cost.
At the end of 2008, SIFCC moved to a renovated building that is specifically set up for mental health services, centrally located in Stillwater and is handicap accessible.
In June of 2013, SIFCC moved to a beautiful office building located at 811 W Elm Ave.
Through developing relationships with United Way, Elite Repeat, many of the local churches, and grant opportunities, SlFCC is able to provide a sliding scale fee services. This allows people who are unable to afford the full price of therapy to still be seen off of what the house hold currently makes. This service is available for all types of care that SlFCC provides.
Community Partnerships
Several faith communities in Stillwater provide some financial support to SIfCC. Many individual donors make annual contributions. The Counseling Center has received other small grants and United Way funding since 2008.
Our Counselors would like to give a big thanks to our retired board members:
Kelsey Lee
Colin Mason
Denise Strickland
Nancy Fried
Dr. Lee Bird
Mia Owens
We appreciate our current board members and all that they do:
Jennifer Sutherland
Stacy Leming
Jeffery Corbett
Lori Looney
Tana Del Prete
Pamela Murphy
Dr. Andrew Waller
Missy McCollom Sorrentino
How Can you Help?
You can share in the mission of Stillwater Interfaith Counseling Center by becoming a financial contributor. All donations go to the general operating budget to provide quality counseling to people who would not be able to afford it otherwise. All contributions are tax-deductible.