Counseling and Education Staff

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. He is a member of the American Psychological Association, Texas Pscyhological Association and Bexar County Psychological Association.

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

Melissa Dilworth, L.P.C., A.T./S., A.T.R.-B.C., R.P.T/S.

Counselor

Melissa is a Licensed, Board Certified, Registered Art Therapist who has been working with children, families, groups and individuals for over 15 years.  Experienced in a full array of treatment settings and understanding that some thoughts and feelings cannot be expressed only through words, Melissa is able to support not only children but adults as well, to utilize the creative processes to promote emotional wellness.   Melissa holds a Masters of Science from The College of New Rochelle in New York.

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

Nancy B. Franklin, LC.S.W., L.M.F.T., R.P.T-S.

Counselor

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,

Jan Marie Hernandez, L.C.S.W.

Psychotherapist / Counselor

Jan Marie Hernandez provides individual and family psychotherapy for children, adolescents, and adults. Jan Marie has over 15 years experience in mental health and is working towards her certification as a Registered Play Therapist (RPT). Her clinical interests include family dynamics, mediation, psychodynamic therapy, psychotherapy groups, play therapy, solution-focused brief therapy, and therapeutic game play. Her experience encompasses the full range from inpatient hospitalization serving children, adolescents, and adults to day treatment services to residential treatment to outpatient services. Jan Marie received her bachelor’s degree in architecture from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and her master’s degree in social work from Simmons College School of Social Work.

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

Rev. Roy G. Taylor, LPC Intern, NCC, M.S., M.Div.

Pastoral Counselor

Rev. Roy G. Taylor has a holistic view of healing for the body, mind, spirit, and relationships. When life disappoints us or we feel broken, we long for healing. The Ecumenical Center for Religion and Health exists in part to offer healing for the mind, spirit, and relationships in order to promote restoration to wholeness.  As a Pastoral Counselor, Rev. Taylor works with clients to help them reach their goals.  

For 23 years he served his country as a Biomedical Scientist in the Medical Service Corps of the United States Army. After retiring from a rewarding military career, he earned his Master of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, DC, followed immediately by a Master of Science in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University Maryland, Baltimore. He was faithful to his call to ordained ministry by serving as an Elder in The United Methodist Church and Pastor for 20 years, often using his gifts and training in counseling. A family man, he trusts that his years of life experience, education, and training are useful in helping him empathize with individuals, couples, and families who are seeking counseling.

As an Intern working toward his license as a Licensed Professional Counselor, Rev. Taylor works under the supervision of Dr. John H. Koiner, 21714 Hardy Oak, Suite 104, San Antonio, Texas 78258, telephone number 210.490.9062.

Counseling Specialties: Adult Counseling, Couple Counseling, Family Counseling, Geriatric Counseling, Group Counseling, Individual Counseling, Premarital 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.

Counseling Specialties: Adult Counseling, Couple Counseling, Individual Counseling, Premarital Counseling, Relationship Counseling, Neurofeedback,