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Professional and affordable clinical counseling

A LITTLE ABOUT US

The Well Counseling Center offers affordable and professional counseling from a Christian worldview in the Fresno/Clovis area. Benefits from counseling may include a marked improvement in your overall quality of life, practical solutions to everyday concerns, resolved conflict between you and others, understanding past experiences and how they impact you today, and gaining a new perspective on life events. Counseling will take some work on your part, but most people get as much out of it as they put in.

  • FEE SCHEDULE

  • Registered Intern
    $40 per 50-minute session
  • Mediation/Conflict Coach
    $45 per 50-minute session
  • Registered Intern (3k hours completed)
    $60 per 50-minute session
  • Licensed Counselor (MFT/LCSW)
    $80 per 50-minute session
  • Premarital Counseling
    $40 per 50-minute session (6-8 sessions)

OUR DIRECTOR


WENDI MOONEY, LMFT
Wendi Mooney is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, who graduated from Fresno Pacific University Biblical Seminary with a Master of Arts in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling. She enjoys working with individuals both men and women, couples, families and adolescents. She works with depression, anxiety, relationship conflict, grief/loss, life transitions and trauma. She has been in full-time Christian ministry for the past 20 years in the pastoral care setting, has been married for 36 years, and is a mother of two. Her clinical approach integrates Biblical truth with the field of psychology, with an understanding that each individual is shaped by one’s experiences, both past and present and our significant life relationships affect our sense of self and ability to relate to others.

OUR LICENSED COUNSELORS


LAURA SPERA, LMFT
Laura is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She received her Master of Science in Counseling for Marriage and Family Therapy at Fresno State University. As a seasoned therapist she has helped people find healing and wholeness through personal growth and illumination. She has worked with individuals, couples, families and children for over a decade. Her experience includes helping those who suffer from addictions, depression, anxiety, perinatal mood disorders, grief, trauma, domestic violence and relationships issues. Laura’s approach to therapy works from Rogerian psychotherapy helping people find authenticity, wholeness, restoration, self- acceptance and meaning in their lives. She’s passionate about helping individuals discover how their life story and experiences impact them and their world view.

JULIE WINTER, LMFT
Julie Winter is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has worked in the field for more than 16 years. Her past work settings include inpatient and outpatient hospitals, foster care, county jail, community based organizations, county mental health, a police department and private practice. She also taught therapy classes in the Master’s programs at Fresno State University and University of Phoenix. It is Julie’s passion to come alongside people in their daily struggles and empower them to overcome dysfunctional, debilitating obstacles by offering tools necessary to make healthy changes in mind, body and spirit. It is her desire to reflect God’s character to everyone she meets. She currently volunteers at China Peak Mountain Resort in their Adaptive Sports Program working with people and families limited by disabilities. She is married with three children.

DAVE OBWALD, MA
Dave Obwald graduated with his Master's Degree in Conflict and Peacemaking Studies from Fresno Pacific University. Dave has a passion for helping people live in unity with God and one another. A common assumption is that conflict always leads to negative outcomes of pain, alienation, tension, and confusion. What people fail to realize is that conflict can also lead to deeper understanding, growth in relationships, reconciliation, forgiveness and clearer communication. Often what keeps us from more positive outcomes can be a lack of vision, necessary tools or a constructive process to enter into. The mediation setting, or working with a conflict coach, creates a space where people can clarify the issues that are present and work toward a satisfactory resolution for all parties. Dave has seen transformation occur in individuals, couples, marriages, family members and students.

OUR INTERNS


BEN CARR, MFT INTERN
Ben Carr is a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern who obtained his Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary. He has experience working with young children, couples, and adults, and is strongly motivated to help people identify and understand their personal strengths. Ben places a strong focus on conveying genuine acceptance, respect and empathy toward others, and intentionally works to recognize the mental, emotional, relational, and spiritual needs of each person. Ben also values the opportunity to integrate faith discussion in the counseling process, and actively investigates scriptural wisdom with those who wish to more deeply understand the Bible’s applicability in their own lives. He believes this holistic approach to counseling empowers people to recognize their own capabilities and experience genuine personal healing, and offers greater understanding of Christ's impact in their lives.

LAUREN DOLARIAN, MFT INTERN
Lauren Dolarian is a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern who received her training at the Fresno Pacific University Biblical Seminary. Lauren worked as a social worker for four years before entering the therapy world. She has experience working with low-income families in a professional and personal capacity, and especially enjoys working with children ages 6-12, focusing on attachment issues while providing coping skills to help children overcome abuse and trauma. She is also skilled at working with adults, helping them learn to manage mental and emotional health in the face of depression, anxiety, trauma, adjustment issues and grief/loss. Lauren’s approach to therapy is psychodynamic, integrating the health of the mind, body and spirit. One of her goals is to help decrease stigma around mental illness within society, specifically within the church context.

NICOLE ECKHARDT, PCC INTERN

Nicole Eckhardt is a Professional Clinical Counselor Intern who earned her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University. She has a specialization in Military Culture and Military Families, and it is her desire to give back to those who serve or have served our country and their families. Nicole also has experience working with young adults completing their high school education in their early 20s due to substance abuse, young parenthood, gang affiliation, incarceration, foster care, domestic violence, poverty, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or difficulty with anger, grief and crisis. She has a special place in her heart for women and couples struggling with infertility, and couples considering adoption.

Nicole believes her own life experiences and knowledge can be beneficial to fostering a healthy therapeutic relationship built on understanding and trust. She values providing a safe environment where each person feels respected, accepted and understood. She also values helping others learn to take care of themselves emotionally, physically, spiritually and socially. Her passion is to help individuals, couples and families find peace, healing and self-acceptance. Nicole believes integrating faith and counseling can strengthen the healing process; however, she understands and respects that this is a personal choice made by each person she works with. She and her husband have been married since December 2005.


AMANDA LEBDA, MFT INTERN
Amanda Lebda received her Master’s of Science degree at Fresno State University in Marriage and Family Therapy. She feels that her own life experiences, from ministry to marriage to parenthood, have created a passion in her to help others foster a healthy relationship with God and others, and find wholeness as individuals. Amanda has been involved in church ministries over the last 10 years leading women’s groups on boundaries and healing from spousal betrayal. It was important upon completion of her degree that she find a Christ-centered counseling center that supports the incorporation of biblical truth along with the psychology of mental health. She loves to work with couples as well as individuals and adolescents. Amanda believes genuineness provides a safe counseling environment that aids in the growth and healing of those seeking care.

REBECCA ORCHARD, MFT INTERN
Rebecca is a Marriage and Family Therapy Intern who received her training at Fresno Pacific University Biblical Seminary. Rebecca's experience includes over 15 years working with children as a Certified Child Life Specialist and Children's Ministry Director before becoming a therapist. With her training and experience, Rebecca specializes in children ages 4-18 with focus on coping skills, understanding emotions, self-esteem, loss of a family member, bullying and anxiety, including fear associated with medical and dental experiences. She offers parenting sessions to help people navigate general parenting concerns, blended families, divorce, adoption and parent bonding sessions that include children 5 years of age and under. Rebecca has a heart for those experiencing stress and loss, specifically in the areas of infertility, miscarriage, grief and career stress, such as a change in career or compassion fatigue experienced in helping professions. Her favorite focus areas are enrichment sessions of premarital, marriage strength building, family bonding and personal growth. Rebecca believes that being created in the image of God, who is three in one, means counseling includes a focus on the three areas of body, mind and spirit. Her hope for clients is that through support and encouragement, each person discovers resiliency skills to live their preferred life story with confidence and grace.

OUR TRAINEES


DANIELLE DICKIE, MFT TRAINEE
Danielle Dickie is currently working on her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary as a Trainee. Her background in ministry and experience working with adults and children has helped her develop an approach of genuine acceptance, respect, and empathy. Her desire is to help others find wholeness in their relationships with themselves, others, and God. For those who wish to do so, integrating faith into the counseling process is a way of promoting spiritual healing along with relational and mental healing. She believes meeting people where they are at in life and hearing their life stories is an important part of helping those seeking care.

SHAHNA DUERKSEN, MFT TRAINEE

Shahna Duerksen is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee currently working on her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary. Shahna has been married since 1998 and is mother to two adopted children. Raised a pastor’s daughter, she has been in Christian ministry for many years, and lived and traveled in many other countries. She enjoys working with singles, young adults and couples. Her particular areas of interest include young adult life transitions, pre-engagement/premarital counseling, self-esteem, anxiety, depression, grief/loss, infertility, adoption, special needs parenting, people in ministry, burnout/stress, spiritual growth and renewal, and women's issues.

Shahna feels everyone is on a journey having their own story to tell, and it is a privilege to journey with people as they face the various challenges of life. She wants to help equip people with skills that will empower them to live healthy lives mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. She looks forward to hearing your story, journeying with you and helping you in whatever way she can.

  • LMFT = Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
  • MA = Master of Arts
  • MFT = Marriage and Family Therapist
  • PCC = Professional Clinical Counselor

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • DOES THE WELL COMMUNITY CHURCH OFFER PROFESSIONAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES?

    Our Counseling Center is a professional, clinical counseling center, and our staff is comprised of credentialed mental health professionals.

  • WHAT ARE THE EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUNDS OF YOUR COUNSELORS?

    We have Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) and Marriage and Family Therapy Interns. All counselors have a minimum of a Master’s Degree in Counseling. We also have a Master’s level Mediation/Conflict Coach who can provide pastoral pre-marital counseling and spiritual guidance.

  • WHAT IS CHRISTIAN COUNSELING?

    Christian counseling combines professional counseling techniques and Scriptural principles in a unique approach to mental health issues.

  • ARE ALL OF YOUR COUNSELORS CHRISTIAN?

    All counselors acknowledge personal faith in Jesus Christ; they do not all attend The Well.

  • DO I HAVE TO BE A CHRISTIAN TO USE YOUR SERVICES?

    Our services are available to everyone. We are a Christian-based counseling center. Our approach to therapy is to meet people wherever they are in all areas of their lives.

  • HOW DO I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT?

    Call 559.325.8600

  • MAY I CHOOSE MY OWN COUNSELOR?

    You may request a particular counselor. Your preference will be honored if your presenting issue is within their treatment area, and if your counselor of choice has available appointment times.

  • HOW LONG DO I NEED TO WAIT TO SEE SOMEONE?

    Generally, your appointment will be within a week of your initial call. The time varies for each counselor.

  • WHAT IF I HAVE A LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCY?

    Call 9-1-1 or your local police department.

  • HOW MUCH DOES COUNSELING COST?

    Our Counseling Center fees for professional services are lower than those of other mental health practices in the area. Specific fee information can be found on our Counseling Center page and will be provided when you call for an appointment.

  • WILL MY VISITS BE COVERED BY INSURANCE?

    Since policies and benefits vary greatly, we do not bill insurance. Clients are responsible for charges which are payable at the time services are rendered. Payment can be made by cash, check (checks are made payable to The Well) or by debit/credit card.

  • HOW LONG DOES COUNSELING TAKE?

    The length of treatment depends on many factors. It is primarily determined by the nature of the issue(s) and the motivation of the client.

  • WHO DO YOUR COUNSELORS WORK WITH?

    Services are provided for individuals, couples, families, infants, children and adolescents.

  • WHAT KINDS OF ISSUES DO YOUR COUNSELORS WORK WITH?

    Counselors are trained in many areas including marriage conflict, marriage enrichment, depression, anxiety, postpartum depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, childhood trauma, pastoral counseling, infant mental health, play therapy, grief, domestic violence, spiritual abuse, sexual addictions, women’s issues and life transitions. If you have questions about these issues or others call 559.325.8600.

  • IS IT SAFE TO MAKE AN ONLINE PAYMENT?

    Yes. In many ways, paying online is safer than writing a check because an electronic payment cannot be lost or stolen. Fellowship One continually manages the security of the system.

  • HOW WILL I KNOW THAT I SET UP MY PAYMENT CORRECTLY?

    Immediately after submitting your payment, you will receive an email verifying your payment.

  • I HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT ONLINE PAYMENTS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN ADDRESSED. WHO CAN I TALK TO?

    For any questions, concerns or comments about online payments, contact wendi@thewellcommunity.org. You will receive a response as soon as possible.

CONTACT US


Call us to make an appointment
(559) 325-8600

Make an online payment

North Office
2044 E Nees Ave
Fresno, CA 93720




Fig Garden Office
4545 N Palm Ave
Fresno, CA 93704