Graduate Counseling
One Degree. Three Emphases. Endless Possibilities.

Be more than a good listener.
Counseling is more than a career—it's a world-changing vocation that gives you an opportunity to bring healing and hope to hurting people. As a counselor, you are able to walk with people through life's challenges, making an impact on families and communities.
All graduates from JBU's M.S. in Counseling program will be eligible for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). You can choose from multiple emphasis option. Those who choose to add the Marriage and Family Therapy emphasis will also be eligible for licensure as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).
Program Length & Course Format
60 credit hours with the option to add one (or more) of our emphases for only 9-12 additional credit hours.
Program length is typically 2.5 - 3.5 years depending on if student is part-time or full-time
Face-to-face Counseling courses are offered in multiple locations: Little Rock, Rogers, and Siloam Springs with about one-third of the courses are available online.
Why study Counseling at JBU?
1
A Degree For Good
You are driven by compassion and a calling to help, to encourage, and to bring hope to a hurting world. With years of experience and a strong reputation in training counselors, JBU can provide the courses, practical experience and training you need to use your counseling degree for good.
2
Learn From Experienced Faculty
Learn from professors who are trained as counselors, educators, and clinical supervisors and get real-life experience through JBU's Community Counseling Clinics. A Graduate Counseling degree provides the knowledge, skills and training you need to become a licensed clinician.
3
Excellent Career Preparation
To be a great counselor, you need more than just time in the classroom. You need face-to-face interaction with clients under the supervision of experienced counselors. Every Counseling student will conduct live therapy sessions in JBU's Community Counseling Clinic and get feedback from faculty and peers to help you become a better counselor.
4
Unique Focus on Christian Values
At JBU, we believe in education of the whole person – head, heart, hand. All of our courses are taught from a Christian worldview, with faculty who are committed to the academic and spiritual growth of our students.
5
Designed for You
Dive into the Graduate Counseling degree designed for your lifestyle. With a combination of online and evening courses offered in Little Rock, Rogers, and Siloam Springs, you can get your degree while maintaining a healthy school-work-life balance.
M.S. in Counseling Emphases

Marriage & Family Therapy
An emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy prepares students for successful careers as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT). Through the integration of classroom instruction and clinical preparation, students are exceptionally equipped for counseling careers and ministry positions.

Play Therapy
An emphasis in Play Therapy will teach students to use a variety of play and creative arts techniques to better assist children to communicate or express their thoughts and feelings.

Adventure Therapy
An emphasis in Adventure Therapy will prepare students to use experiential therapy to promote healing. Adventure therapy encourages teens to reflect upon experiences using goal-based activities that provide a window into their own unique mental traits and challenges.

Hanna Burge '20, MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
"I entered the program with the plans to change lives, but I ultimately ended up finding my own life within the mix. I am overall a healthier person in all areas of my life and feel confident and equipped to face challenges that come before me both as a mental health clinician and as an individual."

Betsy Dedrick '20, M.S in Marriage & Family Therapy and Clinical Mental Health Counseling
"I have made lifelong friendships and community connections that will serve me and my clients well in the future. The program helped me believe in myself and my ability to conquer tough goals. . . The professors are top notch and integrate faith as well as their professional experiences into the program. They walk the walk and talk the talk. Amazing, all-giving and family atmosphere offers support, understanding, and lifelong friendships!"

Kayla Plank '20, MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
"The CMHC program at JBU is a well-rounded program where I was able to learn more about the mental health field and how to help the clients I work with. The education I received from JBU helped shape my vision of my future. The courses that were required related in all aspects of counseling & I feel like I am well prepared to conquer what my future holds."

Kelsey White '19
“I feel like this program not only helps you grow academically, but it helps you grow personally. The teachers here are very intentional about getting to know you and want to help you understand what your counseling style is, and then helping you grow in that.”

Paige Heffron '18
“Learning from a Christian perspective—and having professors and classmates who prayed for me—equipped me spiritually to serve as a school counselor,” said Paige. With internships, classes, and her position as a graduate assistant, the support the JBU community was vital to her success. Even more significant was the encouragement she received from her husband, who was also earning his graduate degree from JBU at the time. “It was challenging, but I had an end goal in mind, and the Lord constantly reminded me to cast my cares upon Him.”
Graduate Counseling Faculty




































Cindy Palen
Adjunct Instructor, Counseling
Cindy Palen is a Licensed Associate Counselor in Arkansas and a Nationally Certified Counselor. She earned her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She is currently a doctoral student in the Counselor Education and Supervision program at Regent University. Cindy works in private practice at Oaks Counseling in Springdale, Arkansas. Cindy's primary clinical and research interests are in trauma, eating disorders, and the adolescent and young adult population.

Kathleen Wallace
Adjunct Instructor, Counseling
Dr. Kathleen Wallace is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Supervisor LPC-S in the state of Arkansas, additionally holding the National Certified Counselor NCC certification. She is also a Licensed Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselor LADAC and is currently working within the CIT-M certification to become an Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor AADC. She additionally has training in two trauma related specializations Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing EMDR and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy TF-CBT.
Dr. Wallace has practiced individual, family, and group therapy in a variety of settings including outpatient, residential treatment, school-based, and intensive outpatient working with children, adolescents, and adults. Most recently she has been working as a clinical manager and with adults struggling with addiction and she teaches part-time at John Brown University, Liberty University, and the University of Phoenix.
Dr. Wallace also speaks and presents on a variety of topics within counseling, and serves on the Executive Committee of the Arkansas Mental Health Counseling Association ArMHCA.
Dr. Wallace has been married to her college sweetheart for over 20 years and they are raising two sons.

Casey Hall
Instructor of Counseling
Clinical Coordinator
Casey is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor. She graduated from John Brown University in 2012 and received both of her licenses in 2013. She began her doctorate in 2018 at the University of the Cumberlands. Since licensure, she has worked with a varied population kids, adolescents, adults, families, couples, and chronic mental illnesses. She is currently pursuing further training, and in the future-certification, in Emotionally Focused Therapy. She also has her supervision specialization for both licenses.
Casey is a co-owner of a private counseling practice. She began teaching as an adjunct for John Brown University in practicum classes in 2017. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, going to church and bible studies, being outside on any body of water or in the mountains, and reading as much as possible!

Sarah Campbell
Sarah E. Campbell earned a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision and an M.S. in Mental Health Counseling from Capella University. While at Capella, Sarah served as a peer mentor and on the schools advisory council for the Ph.D. and Masters Counseling Programs. Sarah is active in both regional and national organizations and is a Nationally Certified Counselor NCC. Sarah has her own business, Changing Waves Consulting, LLC, where she serves as an independent consultant for businesses, school districts, and individuals. She provides counseling services through her business. Her clinical, research and academic interests include social justice advocacy, cultural diversity, and grief and loss. She enjoys presenting on the regional and national level on the topics of social justice advocacy as well as contributing to the field through research and writing. Before earning her doctorate, Sarah worked as a paralegal for ten years in the area of family law, substance abuse counselor with adults and adolescents, and as a mental health counselor for children in the Hopewell Township School District. She also worked in the field of adoptions for just over four years.

Carey Lampton
Professor of Counseling
Dr. Carey Lampton is a Licensed Psychologist. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Arkansas and his masters and Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Texas Tech University. He is a member of the National Register for Health Service Psychologists and the American Psychotherapy Association. In addition to teaching, Dr. Lampton maintains a private counseling practice specializing in men’s issues, couples’ counseling, and the evaluation of learning disorders. Dr. Lampton has been married to Stacey for 30 years. They have three sons and two daughters and reside in Siloam Springs.

Anita Martin
Adjunct Instructor, Counseling
Anita Martin earned a Master of Art in Counseling and a Master of Art in Human Resources Development from Webster University in St. Louis, MO. Currently, she is a doctoral student in the Counseling Education & Supervision program at Capella University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor in Arkansas, Louisana, a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, and a Registered Yoga Instructor. Ms. Martin has nearly 20 years of experience in the counseling field. She is the owner of private practice in Central Arkansas. Ms. Martin works with individuals suffering from anxiety, depression, trauma, attachment issues, focusing on maternal mental health in the African American community, relational conflict, and PTSD. As a Veteran, she provides counseling services to other Veterans and First Responders and volunteers with ARLEAP. She is a Certified EMDR Therapist CIT, a trained Brainspotter, and a Registered Sandtray Therapist, who utilize the techniques to assist her clients. Lastly, Ms. Martin assists her clients with self-regulation skills using yoga, learning the importance of practicing self-care, and positive affirmation to improve their self-esteem.
She is a member of the Association for Play Therapy, the American Counseling Association, and the Association for Counselors Education & Supervision. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family.

Michelle Satterlee
A believer in good coffee and good people, Michelle Satterlee has become a fan of JBU and Siloam Springs. Dr. Satterlee is a Licensed Psychologist. She joined the JBU community after years abroad and in the Northwest, and while she may miss the coast and international train travel, she does not miss commuter traffic. Dr. Satterlee is constantly impressed by her students and clients, and she has a passion to see their God-given potential thrive. When Dr. Satterlee is not in a classroom, a coffee shop, or with clients, you may find her at the local hardware store, planning the next (probably-more-than) weekend project.

Michelle Caulk
Adjunct Instructor, Counseling
Michelle Caulk, licensed professional counselor, is a therapist with the St. Louis Counseling Center. Since obtaining her Master Therapist certification in Accelerated Resolution Therapy ART, Michelle has counseled hundreds of clients through trauma, including those coming out of past childhood sexual abuse and traumatic grief resulting from homicide and suicide. Michelle also holds a high commitment to contributing to healthy church communities through trauma-informed care and counseling.
She is currently a doctoral candidate within the Counselor Education and Supervision CES program with Regent University, and is passionately committed to training the next generation of counseling students. Her research interests include the experience of child-free women and men within the context of faith teaching trauma in higher education and the process of bereavement within losses

Emeline Eckart
Dr. Emeline Eckart holds a license as a Professional Counselor, Board Approved Supervisor in the state of Louisiana. Dr. Eckart received her B.A. in Psychology from Marquette University, where she also received a minor in Naval Science through participation in the Naval Reserve Officer Training Command ROTC program. Upon graduation, Dr. Eckart was commissioned as a Naval Officer and attended flight school where she was winged as a Naval Aviator. She completed nine years of active duty service and 4 years as a selected reservist. During her service she participated in two 6-month deployments in support of U.S. Pacific Fleet Ships, participated in Hurricane Katrina Relief, and was a Naval Flight Instructor. She currently is a member of the inactive reserves. |

Geoffrey Reddick
Assistant Professor of Family and Human Services
Dr. Geoff Reddick counts it a privilege to work with students as they pursue their callings and passions in the helping professions. His primary desires are to help students develop empathy towards others, become more authentic and vulnerable with themselves, and grow in confidence and boldness in their own abilities.
Dr. Reddick is a Licensed Marital & Family Therapist, an AAMFT Approved Supervisor, and a Clinical Fellow in AAMFT. He received his B.A. in Psychology & Classical Studies from the University of Arkansas, an M.S. in Marriage & Family Therapy from John Brown University, and a Ph.D. in Family Therapy from Saint Louis University. His primary clinical interest is working with couples and families, especially in intensive settings. He previously worked for Focus on the Family’s Marriage Institute, providing intensive marital therapy and leading marital enrichment retreats with his wife, Lindsey. He and Lindsey have two daughters, Mollie Jo & Murphy.


Nick Keeter
Nick Keeter is a 2006 graduate of John Brown University's M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy program. Psychotherapy was not his career goal, nor did he come to it by traditional job or career searching, but only through God's calling. What Nick likes most about teaching is witnessing the developing of minds. He also likes to be a part of the process that trains fellow "wounded healers" to make a difference in their communities.
Nick has been married to Vanita for 30 years. They have three children but are in the process of fostering other children.



Charles Chamblee
Adjunct Instructor, Counseling
Dr. Chamblee pastored for 21 years before returning to school to complete his training in counseling and becoming a licensed professional counselor. Along the way, Dr. Chamblee taught Junior High and High School before moving to the Counseling program at JBU. In addition to teaching at JBU, Dr. Chamblee serves as the Clinical Director for outpatient Behavioral Health with Baptist Health Systems. Dr. Chamblee has two college age sons and enjoys being outside, playing with his dogs, and traveling to see God's great world!

Bonnie Phillips
Assistant Professor of Counseling
Dr. Bonnie Phillips is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Supervisor and Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Arkansas. She is a Certified Sexual Addiction Therapist and Supervisor, and has two trauma related specialized trainings EMDR and is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner.
She received her Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy in 1995 and her PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Louisiana at Monroe in 2004.
Dr. Phillips has practiced individual, couple, family, and group therapy in a variety of settings including outpatient, residential treatment, and intensive outpatient working with adolescents and adults. Most recently she has been teaching and working in private practice in Little Rock where she specializes in trauma, addiction, and couples counseling.
Dr. Phillips writes and speaks on a variety of topics. She recently co-authored the revision of the book, Betrayal Bond with Dr. Patrick Carnes.
She and her husband W.E. have one son who is currently a sophomore in college.


Brian Fidler
Brian is a Licensed Professional Counselor LPC, a National Certified Counselor NCC, a certified EFT Therapist, and a counselor educator and supervisor. He is also working on obtaining his doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision at Regent University. Brian is an adjunct instructor for JBU's graduate counseling department and has taught the following courses, Introduction to Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Family of Origin, Principles of Marital Therapy, Principles of Family Therapy, and Professional Development and Ethics.
Regina Williams
Regina Gavin Williams holds a Ph.D. in Counseling & Counselor Education from North Carolina State University. She is a National Certified Counselor NCC, a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of North Carolina, and a 2016 National Board for Certified Counselors Minority Fellowship Program MFP Doctoral Fellow. Dr. Williams has worked with individuals and families within educational and community mental health settings. As a community-based clinician, she helped children and adolescents in foster care develop skills designed to overcome the environmental and systemic barriers that impede adult self-sufficiency. Her research interest includes the career and college readiness, mental health needs, and the adult self-sufficiency of adolescents aging out of the foster care system. |

Chris Simon
Adjunct Instructor, Counseling
Chris Simon graduated from Denver Seminary in 2012 with his masters in Clinical Mental Health. After working for a variety of group practices, he founded an outpatient sexual addiction, sexual abuse, and affair recovery center in Denver in 2014. During this time, he received his Certified Sex Addiction Therapist CSAT and became a CSAT supervisor in 2017. With the arrival of Chris's first son in 2017, he sold the treatment center and relocated to Northwest Arkansas. Chris has since worked as an executive coach and consultant, utilizing his therapeutic skills to support leaders in business. He also works as a senior consultant with a behavioral health agency helping start drug and alcohol treatment centers across the country. Chris has opened a private practice in Rogers, Arkansas in 2020 and will begin teaching in the John Brown University masters program in the spring of 2021. In his free time, you will find him with his wife, Kevie, and two sons, Judah and Aiden, or making furniture in his wood-shop.

Charles Simpson
CEO, Arkansas Relationship Counseling Center

Tim Dinger
Executive Director, JBU Community Counseling Clinics
Assistant Professor of Counseling
Dr. Dinger serves as the Executive Director of the JBU Community Counseling Centers. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor and holds a specialization in supervision. Clinically a generalist, he enjoys working with adults, couples and adolescents.
His research and clinical interests are in counselor development, group process, how developmental issues influence adult functioning and the relationship of lifestyle and mental health.
Dr. Dinger is married to Pam. They have four adult children and two grandchildren.

Benjamin Okai
Assistant Professor of Counseling
Dr. Benjamin Okai is a Licensed Professional Counselor and holds specializations in supervision and technology assisted counseling/supervision. He received his MSc.MFT from Harding University and completed his PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision at Regent University VA. He is a member of the American Counseling Association and a reviewer of conference papers for the American Society for Engineering Education. He has worked in a variety of professional clinical settings including outpatient, inpatient, residential facilities, church-based, and private practice. Dr. Okai has strong motivation and active engagement in scholarship and research in psychosocial studies that spans from the phenomenon of Shame, to Advocacy, Diversity, Marital relationships, and Severe Mental Illness. He presents on topics related to marriage and mental health challenges among children and adolescents in developing countries. He and his wife, Olivia, and their three children have been involved in foster care system since 2012. Dr. Okai's family reside in Searcy Arkansas and are members of the Cloverdale Church of Christ where he serves as one of the elders. |



Chris Confer
Adjunct Instructor, Counseling
Vice President for Student Life, Southern Wesleyan University

Savannah Conner
Adjunct Instructor, Counseling
Savannah is a Licensed Professional Counselor with the state of Arkansas and the owner of Oaks Counseling. She earned her Masters in Community Counseling and Marriage & Family Therapy from John Brown University. She then continued her education with Regent University where she earned a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision. Her greatest joy is spending time with her husband, Aaron, and their four children Hudson, Millie, Annie Sutton, and Crosby.

Nicholas Cornett
Dr. Cornett is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Arkansas. He is also a Registered Play Therapist. Family therapy and play therapy are his primary professional interests. In addition to teaching, Dr. Cornett counsels clients in a private practice setting. He primarily works with children and their families. Dr. Cornett is a member of the American Counseling Association, the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, and the Association for Play Therapy. He and his wife, Kim, and their three children live in Siloam Springs and are members of Redeemer Presbyterian Church

Whitney Norris
Co-Founder & Therapist at Little Rock Counseling, PLC



Derek Brown
Little Rock Area Director, Arkansas Baptist Children's Home and Family Ministries

Haley Bryant
Haley Bryant is a 2012 graduate from John Brown University. She and her husband Blake are Arkansas natives. They have been married 8 years and have two children. She opened The Forging Place in 2013 and is passionate about seeing the community grow through the ministry of counseling. She is an Associate Member of the American Board of Christian Sex Therapists and has trained with Dr. Doug Rosenau at the Institute of Sexual Wholeness.

Chris Hull
Department Chair, Graduate Counseling
Professor of Counseling
Dr. Hull is a Licensed Professional Counselor CO, National Certified Counselor, and Approved Clinical Supervisor. He received his MA in Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary FL and completed his PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision at Regent University VA. Dr. Hull has counseled in a variety of professional clinical settings including private practice, medical outpatient, church-based, and addictions recovery treatment. Dr. Hull is a past board member of the Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling ASERVIC and currently serves as the Board Chair for the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs CACREP. Dr. Hull writes and presents on topics related to addiction, spiritual and religious values in counseling, clinical supervision, and counselor development. He and his wife Carolyn and their three children Taylor, Chace, and Madeline live in Springdale AR and are members of Christ Community Church in Fayetteville AR.


Kristy Burton
Instructor of Counseling
Kristy Burton began her career working in law enforcement after earning an undergraduate degree in criminal justice in 2001. She spent over 15 years working as a law enforcement officer and instructor for both Arkansas Community Corrections and U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services. During this time, she also earned a master's degree in community counseling at John Brown University, graduating in 2013. She is currently working toward a PhD in counselor education and supervision with a specialization in addictions. She also co-owns Central Arkansas Group Counseling, a private practice in North Little Rock, AR. She has been an adjunct instructor at John Brown University in the graduate counseling program, since August 2018. She has taught Professional Development and Ethics, Addictions, and Intro to Clinical Mental Health. She is also the current Regional Vice-President of the newly formed Arkansas Addiction Professionals Association.