Counseling and Education Staff

The Ecumenical Center is a volunteer-run organization supported by a professional staff. We use a team approach, drawing upon the unique talents of professionals from the counseling, theological and medical disciplines. We work together to renew the whole person: mind, body and spirit.

Our counselors have graduate degrees and are certified or licensed as professional therapists by the American Association of Pastoral Counselors or a state licensing board.

Richard Amiss, DMin., LPC-S

Psychotherapist/Licensed Professional Counselor- Supervisor

Richard has been a psychotherapist for 14 years and is a Licensed Professional Counselor -Supervisor. He enjoys helping people who are struggling with spiritual issues, healthy/unhealthy relationships, domestic violence, and those individuals who are victims of various forms of abuse, whether psychological, sexual, or physical. He also works with those who suffer from disorders of personality, depression, anxiety, grief, and PTSD. He sees adults, adolescents, and children in individual, group, couples and family counseling. He also enjoys the clinical supervisor of counseling students and interns; his most recent supervisory experience was from his work at St. Peter- St. Joseph's Children's Home. Richard received his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University, his Master of Arts in Educational Psychology from The University of Texas at San Antonio and his Doctor of Ministry Degree from Jacksonville Theological Seminary.

Counseling Specialties: Adolescent Counseling, Adult Counseling, Child Counseling, Couple Counseling, Family Counseling, Group Counseling, Individual Counseling, Relationship Counseling,

Patricia Du Terroil, MS, NCC, LPC

Psychotherapist/Counselor

Patricia has been committed for more than 20 years to helping people restore and develop healthy relationships with one another. She has extensive experience in counseling individuals with anxiety, depression, grief and other issues that affect functioning, growth and relationships. Her range of experience includes play therapy for children, stress management, couples counseling and trauma resolution. She is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin and received her masters of science in counseling from Long Island University in New York.

Counseling Specialties: Adolescent Counseling, Adult Counseling, Child Counseling, Couple Counseling, Family Counseling, Geriatric Counseling, Individual Counseling, Premarital Counseling, Relationship Counseling,

Frank E. Emmett, Ph.D. (LT COL, Ret)

Clinical Director

A licensed clinical psychologist, Dr. Frank Emmett joins the Ecumenical Center with more than 30 years experience, much of which he gained during his time in the United States Air Force serving in a variety of leadership positions in military hospitals and clinics around the world. He retired as Chief of Mental Health at the U.S Air Force Clinic on Randolph Air Force Base. Dr. Emmett specializes in marital and family counseling, parenting effectiveness, personality disorders and men's issues including spirituality, growth and healing. Dr. Emmett is also in charge of the Center's Mindwise Now testing program, conducting psychological assessment for individuals, corporations and parents.

Counseling Specialties: Adolescent Counseling, Adult Counseling, Couple Counseling, Family Counseling, Geriatric Counseling, Group Counseling, Individual Counseling, Premarital Counseling, Relationship Counseling,

Nancy B. Franklin, L,C.S.W., L.M.F.T.

Director, Child and Family Services, Registered Play Therapist and Supervisor

Nancy brings more than 20 years of counseling experience in individual, marital, famiiy and child therapy, including use of play therapy with children, adults and families. A registered play therapist (RPT) supervisor, she has worked extensively with people with eating disorders, with survivors of trauma, and those dealing with issues of grief. As director of psychodrama, Nancy leads a weekly psychodrama group for women entitled, "Who's Running Your Life?" She received her bachelor's degree in education from the University of Arkansas and her master's degree in social work from Our Lady of the Lake University.

Counseling Specialties: Adolescent Counseling, Adult Counseling, Child Counseling, Couple Counseling, Family Counseling, Geriatric Counseling, Group Counseling, Individual Counseling, Premarital Counseling, Relationship Counseling,

R. Esteban Montilla, Ph.D., LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor & Pastoral Educator

Dr. Montilla is an ordained clergyman, a licensed professional counselor and a Latin-American theologian known for his ability in scriptural/psychological integration at both theoretical and practical levels. He received his master and doctoral degree in counseling from Texas A&M University-CC. Dr. Montilla is a Diplomate/CPE Supervisor as well as a board certified pastoral counselor and clinical chaplain with the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy (CPSP). He is a pioneer in establishing counseling and pastoral care programs in several Latin American countries, and the architect of several of our present Spanish language pastoral trainings. Dr. Montilla is the author of several books including "Viviendo la Tercera Edad" (2004), Family Counseling with Latinos and Latinas (2005), and Pastoral Counseling with Latinos and Latinas (2006) and several articles dealing with various aspects of counseling and pastoral care in multicultural environments. Dr. Montilla is an assistant professor for the master and doctoral programs offered in the Department of Counseling and Human Services at St. Mary’s University.

Counseling Specialties: Adult Counseling, Couple Counseling, Family Counseling, Geriatric Counseling, Individual Counseling, Premarital Counseling, Relationship Counseling,

Thomas J. Preininger, L.C.S.W., M. Div.

Psychotherapist / Counselor

Thomas Preininger has been working in the field of counseling for over 20 years and holds master's degrees in both Clinical Social Work and in Divinity. He is also an ordained Catholic priest and has spent 11 years working as the Executive Director of the Hill Country Christian Counseling Center, Inc. in Kerrville, Texas. Tom's counseling reflects a deep respect for marriages and families. He has extensive experience dealing with marital and family issues, pre-marital counseling, divorce recovery, depression, anxiety, grief and substance abuse.

Counseling Specialties: Adolescent Counseling, Adult Counseling, Child Counseling, Couple Counseling, Family Counseling, Geriatric Counseling, Group Counseling, Individual Counseling, Premarital Counseling, Relationship Counseling,

Rebecca Sonnen, LPC

Counselor

Rebecca's specialization in school and community counseling has allowed her to work with individuals, groups, and families in a variety of variety of settings including residential facilities, hospitals, and schools. Rebecca has extensive experience in special education and early childhood education and is working towards becoming a Registered Play Therapist. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in psychology from St. Mary's University and a Master of Arts in counseling from The University of Texas at San Antonio.

Counseling Specialties: Adolescent Counseling, Adult Counseling, Child Counseling, Couple Counseling, Family Counseling, Group Counseling, Individual Counseling, Relationship Counseling,

Daniel Thompson, Ph.D.

Psychologist

Daniel works with a variety of clients, specializing in those with addictions. He is a Licensed Psychologist; listed on the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology; Board certified in the Treatment of Alcohol and other Psychoactive Substance Use Disorders; a Board certified Chemical Dependency Specialist; and a Certified Compulsive Gambling Counselor. Daniel supervises the Center’s advanced pastoral psychotherapy trainees in spiritual/psychological integration and provides psychological testing and assessment of individuals, children and business professionals through the Center's Mindwise Now testing program.