Gina Martin, LPC-S has been in private practice in Stephenville since 2010 and is the founder and owner of The Gathering Place. She has lived in Stephenville since 1985 and has a passion to provide Christ-centered counseling and support services to this community.

Gina works comfortably with individuals, couples, and families. She is a strong believer in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in treating depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. She also regularly counsels people struggling with relationship issues, loss, self-esteem, perfectionism, anger and stress management. She helps people resolve issues by offering the integration of Christian principles, incorporating Biblical truths with sound clinical theory and techniques.

She is dedicated to caring for the whole person psychologically, relationally and spiritually through a therapeutic relationship. Gina loves working with married couples, teaching them how to communicate more effectively, resolve conflict and develop strong emotional connections.

In addition, Gina often counsels people in full-time ministry careers. This is an especially rewarding element of her work as a professional counselor, because those in leadership positions often feel they have no one with whom they can share their struggles. Having been raised in a ministry home has given her a clear understanding of the issues Christian leaders face. Gina has been married to her husband, Chet since 1985, and they have two adult sons.

After completing her undergraduate services at the University of North Texas, Melody earned an MABC in Biblical Counseling from Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas. In graduate school, she was trained in an integrative model of counseling that taught sound clinical psychology from a firm Biblical foundation. Her current approach to therapy follows this integrative model.

Melody strongly believes in providing a safe, non-judgmental therapeutic environment in which to spur change and healing. She utilizes cognitive-behavioral, attachment-focused and trauma-informed therapy techniques to help her clients walk a path toward healing and freedom. She works comfortably with children through adults with a variety of issues including anxiety, depression and trauma. She has experience in play therapy and working with children with anger issues, trauma and anxiety. She is also an EMDR Certified therapist, utilizing EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) to help clients heal from past trauma. EMDR is a form of therapy that helps to resolve past unprocessed traumatic memories, helping to relieve distress in current life situations.

Melody has experience serving as a client advocate in several crisis pregnancy centers, mentoring young women and youth in church settings, and leading a ministry for teen moms through Young Life in the Dallas area. She is married and has 3 children.

Stephanie Stevenson received a BA in Psychology from Dallas Baptist University in 2010 and an MS in Counseling from Mid-America Christian University in 2015.  She and her husband spent almost 7 years as house parents, both at a children’s home with elementary and middle school aged boys from crisis situations, and at a boarding school with high school girls from all over the world.  Stephanie works well with teenagers, college aged individuals, and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, and difficult circumstances in life.

She counsels from a Biblical framework and worldview using cognitive behavioral treatment modalities while drawing from other treatment methods as appropriate. God has continued to lead her further into holistic and integrative areas in dealing with her own health issues.  She has learned how physical health and mental/emotional health impact each other.  She is seeking certifications to be able to provide a therapeutic approach that addresses the mind, body, and spirit.

She and her husband married in 2008 and have 4 precious children, 3 daughters and 1 son.  They enjoy spending time together as a family and are very involved in their church.

John Barnes holds a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry and Biblical Studies and has been in ministry for over 25 years. Serving in California, Colorado, Texas, and the Caribbean as a high school, college, and lead pastor has given him the opportunity to counsel souls from various backgrounds, nationalities, and ethnicities. Through these many hours of face-to-face counseling, John has seen his strengths grow in the areas of anxiety, addictions, and marriage struggles.

Whether it is walking beside others in their unique struggles or receiving help in his own journey with anxiety and panic attacks, John has seen the power of counseling from both sides of the table and knows the healing power counseling can bring to a person’s life. His approach is helping others walk through the healing process through a Christian perspective.

John has been married to his best friend, Christi, for 23 years, and they have parented over 20 children. They have walked beside them, each with unique struggles, on their distinct life journeys. These experiences have given John a deeper compassion and knowledge to aid children and parents when they face similar occurrences within their families. John is comfortable in working with men, couples, and teenagers.

Doug received his Bachelor’s degree from New Mexico State University and later completed his Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at Tarleton State University in 2010. Since becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor in 2010, Doug has worked with children and adult survivors of child abuse/sexual assault/domestic violence, provided counseling in various alcohol/drug treatment centers, counseled in the university setting, and has worked in a private practice setting throughout his career. His areas of expertise are play therapy, trauma, addiction, self-esteem, spirituality, ADHD, and general life and/or career decisions. He also obtained his Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) credentials in 2012 as well as became a Certified Minister within the Assemblies of God. He is also a Psychology instructor at Tarleton.

Doug grew up on a ranch outside of Ruidoso, NM and has continued the cowboy lifestyle as he competed in rodeo throughout his high school and college career and still has horses and cows on his land outside of Stephenville. He has been married for 13 years and has a 6-year-old daughter and 1-year-old son. His unique combination of rodeo background, ministry involvement, and counseling credentials leads to a unique, laid-back, positive, Christian approach with a touch of humor at the right time. Outside of counseling, he spends the rest of his time with his family, taking care of his land and livestock, helping out at church, or working out daily to stay fit enough to keep up with his kids!

Christi Barnes, MA, LPC is passionate about people and cares deeply about their hearts and lives. Though she is a Texan native and met her husband at Tarleton, she graduated with her Bachelors in Child, Adolescent & Family Studies from California State University and her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Palo Alto University. She has been married for 23 years and has parented over 20 children as a foster/adopt family. She enjoys the serenity of her farm homestead and animals. With over 20 years in direct ministry, Christi practices counseling from a Christian perspective, feeling very blessed that her profession is her calling. She strives to offer a safe, supportive space to be seen, heard, and to heal. Her counseling specialties are managing stress and anxiety, through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. Christi also holds a Superior Health CANS (Quality of Child & Adolescent Needs & Strengths Assessment) certification. She is comfortable working with individuals, marriages, adolescents and families. Christi desires her clients to pursue restoration with hope!

Stacen B. Martinez is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate, holding a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Tarleton State University. She graduated with honors from the university’s CACREP-accredited program, which upholds high academic standards and comprehensive training.

Stacen’s therapeutic approach is grounded in evidence-based practices, with a primary focus on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). These modalities are essential in helping clients understand and modify the patterns of thinking and behavior that contribute to their emotional distress.

She is deeply passionate about helping individuals unlock their potential and navigate life’s challenges with confidence. Her journey into professional counseling began with her own experiences of personal growth and self-discovery, and she has since dedicated her career to guiding others through similar transformative processes. Whether struggling with the stresses of school, career decisions, relationships, or simply figuring out who they are and what they need, she understands the complexity of these experiences—and is here to help navigate them with compassion and understanding.

Her approach is grounded in evidence-based practices, but she also takes a holistic view of each individual. She blends aspects of cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and mindfulness-based techniques, tailoring her approach to meet each client’s unique needs and goals. What she values most in therapy is unconditional positive regard—which fosters trust and openness. Her goal is to help clients feel heard, validated, and empowered as they explore challenges and develop strategies that will serve them long-term.

She is passionate about helping clients achieve personal growth in all areas of their lives. Whether she’s working with individuals, couples, or families, she always prioritizes creating a safe, compassionate space where clients can explore difficult emotions without judgment. Together, they work toward creating lasting change, whether that’s improving mental health, strengthening relationships, or finding clarity during times of uncertainty. She is honored to be a part of each client’s journey and is here to support them every step of the way.

Her hobbies are playing tennis, having one on one time with her two children, playing with her husky, baking, drinking coffee on the back porch and enjoying the outdoors by taking long walks.

After graduating from Baylor University with a BA in Social Work, Ashley earned an MS Ed in Counseling from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. Her desire is to support and guide others as they walk a healing path with Jesus. She takes a person-centered, holistic approach to counseling, giving attention to body, mind and spirit, and how these areas work together to bring about health and wholeness. She is passionate about sharing, with others,  the tools to walk in the freedom and beauty of a Christ-centered life.

Ashley worked for several years in child welfare, advocating for children through CASA and offering support through Post-Adoption services. More recently, she has been actively involved in raising her three children, leading women’s & children’s groups in ministry, and serving in various church and community roles. Her experience as an adoptive parent has given her insights on parenting children from hard places who are walking a healing path of their own. She is comfortable working with women and youth, couples and families. She also has a heart for birth children in adoptive families.

In her free time, you can find Ashley watching her kids’ sporting events and activities. She loves cooking, walking, gardening, and rocking on the porch with a cup of coffee. She loves all things outdoors—exploring God’s creation never gets old to her.

Chris Gilley is a Christian counselor dedicated to helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life’s challenges with faith and hope. He holds an Associate’s Degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Christian Counseling from Liberty University and is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC), reflecting his commitment to both professional excellence and biblical integrity.

Rooted in compassion and led by faith, Chris brings both personal and professional experience to his work. His own journey through life’s valleys including a personal battle with cancer, has given him a deep well of empathy and a strong desire to walk alongside others in their healing process.

Married to his wife Stacy for 25 years, Chris and Stacy are proud parents to five amazing kids and two grandchildren. He believes that real healing begins when faith meets vulnerability, and he is honored to be part of God’s work at The Gathering Place, offering a safe space where people can find restoration, strength, and renewed purpose through Christ.

Bonki Swearingen is a fitness professional certified in Revelation Wellness, AFAA, and Les Mills group fitness organizations.

Bonki enjoys facilitating the Wellness Revelation small group study and leading workouts in multiple modalities. One of her life purposes is to inspire others to commit to long-term health in mind, body, spirit, and overall wholeness in Christ. For more information about the ministry of Revelation Wellness look online at: revelationwellness.org