Nonie Caruthers, M.A., LPC, LMFT
Mrs. Caruthers is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has been with the Center since 1994. She is interested in the developmental issues individuals, families, and couples face over their life span-transitions that include young adult to college, career development and middle age/menopause. Offering EMDR, cognitive-behavioral and solution-focused therapies, her specialties include anxiety and depression as well as the pursuit of wellness and wholeness.
Heather Phares, MS, PLPC
Heather is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor with the LPC Board in the state of Louisiana. She holds a school counseling certification and has been a School Counselor for the past 5 years. She has a Master of Science degree in counseling from William Carey University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from The University of Southern Mississippi. She is a member of the Louisiana Counseling Association and the American School Counselor Association. She counsels a diverse clientele with a specialty working with adolescents and families. She focuses on childhood trauma, marital stressors, anxiety disorders, ADHD, depression, anger management, and other emotional and behavioral difficulties.
“I believe that we are all capable of healing and change. It takes courage to begin a journey of personal growth. Our past and present experiences impact our belief system and contribute to how we view our life and its opportunities. I strive to create a space for you to feel safe and to be heard.”
Donna Henderson, MA, MS, LPC-S
Donna is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and has substantial life experience beginning with the Army after graduating high school. She stayed in the military for eight years where she gained experience of what a soldier and a soldier’s family deal with as a family. Donna is a Divorce Mediator and is trained in EMDR therapy. She has a teaching degree and taught school for ten years where she gained extensive experience working with children. Finally she joined an outpatient MHC where she worked as an Assistant Director/Supervisor gaining insight and working with diagnosis from ADHD to schizophrenia. She has worked with all ages and many diagnosis.
Valencia Jones, MS, LPC
This is not just a career, but my calling. As a result people’s lives are being transformed, generational curses broken, goals achieved, and hurts healed. I’m looking for people who are ready to build a life they love.
My goal is to be part of the mental health solution through: counseling, advocacy, speaking, and writing. My academic background includes: AA and BS in Psychology, MS in Counseling, along with various other training.
EXPERTISE:
My specialty is abuse and trauma in these areas: adult survivors of child sexual
or physical abuse / domestic violence, both abusers and victims / human trafficking / anger management. Come talk with me and know that you are not alone, someone cares for you, and you are enough.
Anthony J. Williams, LPC-S, LMFT, NCC, Clinical Director
Anthony is a Licensed Professional Counselor actively serving as the Clinical Director at the Samaritan Counseling Center. Mr. Williams has a private practice and has been a Board Approved Supervisor since 1997. He is a retired Air Force veteran and has been a certified bereavement facilitator since 1998. He has provided bereavement training services to area agencies as well as several church groups. Mr. Williams also conducts groups for anger management, self-esteem, adolescents, and effective parenting. He is a member of the American Counseling Association, the Louisiana Counseling Association, and the Northwest Louisiana Counselors Group. Mr. Williams also provides ongoing monthly training sessions for LPC Supervisors and PLPCs through the Northwest Louisiana Supervisors’ Group. Mr. Williams enjoys woodworking, listening to classical music, and is an active member of the Civil Air Patrol as a mission pilot.
Dr. John Wagner, MD, Psychiatrist
Dr. John Wagner is a graduate of the LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine. He completed a General Psychiatry Residency and a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at LSU Health Shreveport as well. He is Board Certified in General Psychiatry as well as Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Prior to his medical career, Dr. Wagner served in the United States Army as a commissioned Officer.
Administrative Team
J.D. Burnham, Administrative Director
Linda “Dee” Iverson, Insurance Administrator
Alexis Thomas, Receptionist
In Memoriam
Mary Young, B.S., M.S.W., LCSW
Mrs. Young was a licensed clinical social worker, she joined the Center in 2011. She had extensive training and experience in dealing with terminal illness and the impact it had on the immediate, as well as the extended family. Mrs. Young was trained in adoption counseling, geared to assist parents and families who were dealing with many choices associated with the adoption process. She was experienced in working with individuals and family members who were dealing with anxiety and depression, which is usually associated with “life adjustments.” She also had expertise in working with distressed individuals aged between adolescence and geriatric.
Board of Directors
President: Suda Beard
Vice President: Judy Lenert
Secretary: Charles Beard
Board Members
Carmell Williams
Laurie Kent
Bill Henderson
Nadine Siegele
Mary Pat Morgan
Julie Noles
Rev. Mimi McDowell
Samaritan Sustainers
Brandon Horton
Tim Hart
Kathy Johnson
Ken Lawler
Susie Johnson
Mike Kilpatrick
Bobby Matthews
Jessica Russo
Jo Holliday
