Fred Antonelli | Kessler Burnett | Robb Horner
Jessica Ives | Heather Kellem | Gail Miller | Bob Rausch
Anthony Trader | Wendy Wharton

Fred Antonelli, PH.D., LPC

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Dr. Antonelli has served as a former senior pastor for twenty-three years. He also was host for nine years of the popular nationally syndicated Christian teen and young adult radio show, Rock Alive, heard over both the CBN Radio Network and the Salem Radio Network. Using his skills in marriage communication and pastoral experience, Dr. Fred Antonelli will enthusiastically share his perspective on how you can maintain God's very best in having a satisfied and joyous marriage through his proven "Marriage Alive" and "Genuine Manhood" seminars! He also is widely known and sought out for his popular seminar, "Your True Identity (Messages & Signals from your past)". Additionally, Fred is a trans-denominational consultant to churches through leadership training, conflict resolution, mediation and church restructuring.

Fred is ordained through the Elim Fellowship out of Lima, NY, a Clinically Licensed Pastoral Counselor with the National Christian Counselors Association as well as holding membership with the American Association of Christian Counselors and membership in the American Counseling Association and the International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors. Dr. Antonelli is also a Board Certified Clinical Sexual Addiction Specialist-Supervisor through the Board of Christian Professional and Pastoral Counselors. Fred holds a BA in Theology from International Seminary, an M.A. in Clinical Christian Counseling from Cornerstone University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Cornerstone University. Fred also holds a Mental Health License (LPCMH) with the State of Delaware.

Fred has written articles for leading national Christian magazines as well as for numerous independent publications. He is the author of the popular book on personal identity, FREE TO BE YOU, published by MORFx Press. He is also a national speaker for conferences, seminars, workshops and pulpit ministry.

Dr. Antonelli is founder and president of Life Counseling Center Inc., with offices throughout the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Delaware. He is also founder of Life Counseling Center's men's sexual addiction clinical program. He is a contributor with The Underground men's sexual addiction three (3) day intensive weekend workshops sponsored by Life Counseling Center. Fred has been married for 39 years to his high school sweetheart Debbie, and they have three children and seven grandchildren. The Antonelli's live in Easton, Maryland.

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Kessler Burnett, MA, LGPC

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Though personally a Christian believer, Kessler felt it was valuable during her graduate experience to learn counseling skills alongside of students from more than 30 countries who represented all of the world's major religions. This opportunity and exposure has made Kessler very comfortable working with multicultural clients of all faith traditions. She most identifies with two models of therapy. The first is psychodynamic theory, specifically Intensive Short-Term Psychodynamic Therapy. The primary goal of this type of counseling approach is to help the client overcome internal resistance to painful or frightening experiences relating to both their past and present. The second is Gestalt Therapy, which focuses on personal responsibility within the relational, environmental and social contexts of a person's life. Kessler is also comfortable counseling people who struggle with depression, anxiety and the often debilitating effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Kessler is working toward obtaining her LCPC under the supervision of Dr. Fred Antonelli and is a member of the American Counseling Association and the National Board for Certified Counselors.

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Robb Horner, MA

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Robb's dramatic conversion to Christ in 1998 led to a renewed educational pursuit and a passion for full time service in ministry. He previously served 5 years as lay minister for Emmaus Prison Ministry that observed healing prayer and the restoration of souls. Robb is co-founder of the Underground Ministry, a workshop and support group ministry dedicated to the healing of men and spouses from the effects of sexual addiction. Robb also serves as the Associate Pastor for Oasis Covenant Fellowship in Easton, MD.

Robb is an Ordained Minister of the Gospel through the Elim Fellowship of Lima, NY. He has achieved a B.A. in Christian Counseling from Southwest Bible College & Seminary and an M.A. in Human Services Counseling from Regent University. Robb has received Board Certification in Temperament Therapy and is recognized as a Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor by the National Christian Counseling Association. He is currently working through the Doctorate program with the N.C.C.A. He is also a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors as well as a Board Certified Sexual Addiction Counselor through the Board of Christian Professional and Pastoral Counselors.

As a lifetime resident of the Eastern Shore, Robb currently resides in Easton, Maryland with his wife Beth, and daughter, Kendall. His experience in the business community includes formerly owning a family restaurant as well as a local computer business.

Robb's approach to counseling centers on the grace of God and the ministry of His Word through the power of the Holy Spirit. As a Pastoral counselor in a clinical setting, Robb utilizes contributions from both a biblically sound perspective as well as a cognitive behavioral and Family Systems approach to therapy. Robb's passion as well as expertise is in Marriage therapy. His skills are also strong in counseling individuals and families in a private or group setting. His deepest desire is to see the miraculous restoration ministry of Jesus Christ made real in the lives of hurting and emotionally wounded people.

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Jessica Ives, MA, NCC, LCPC

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Jessica specializes in children has been professionally trained by the National Institute of Relationship Enhancement in Bethesda, MD for Child Centered Play Therapy and Filial Therapy. Jessica has a passion for working with young children and their parents and she loves working where she feels God has called her. www.jessicaives.com

Jessica is a Maryland State Licensed Therapist, Nationally Certified Counselor and a trained child centered play therapist. She is a member of the Association of Play Therapists, the American Association of Christian Counselors, the American Counseling Association, and Chi Sigma Iota

Jessica, her husband Dustin, son Ethan and daughter Reese Ava reside in Easton, Maryland where Dustin is a senior pastor. Jessica enjoys being a pastor's wife and sees that as an asset to her counseling. Jessica grew up on the Eastern Shore and loves being close to home.

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Heather Kellam, LCSW-C

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Heather has worked with children, adolescents, individuals and families with a strengths-based approach that focuses on the client's unique needs, while building upon their God-given gifts, talents and abilities. One of her strengths is creativity. Heather utilizes an eclectic mix of interventions and play, art and games (with children) also role play, and other activities in the counseling process.

Interventions used: Family Systems Therapy, Play Therapy Techniques, Behavior Modification and Trauma-Focused CBT of which she is currently contemplating a more in depth, year long study through University of Maryland, Baltimore. She also uses some Dialectical Behavior Therapy techniques with clients who struggle with self-harming behaviors.

The intervention that Heather is most strong in and uses often, is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. Traditional Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions are based on the idea that faulty thinking leads to faulty beliefs, and then to maladaptive behavior patterns. By changing the way we think, we can change our beliefs, and ultimately our behaviors. With a Christian-based perspective, her aim is to help the client replace faulty thinking ("take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5) with Biblical truths. "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32

While at Eastern Shore Psychological Services, Heather did some school-based mental health counseling with children and teens in Somerset County public schools and also ran an anger management group for children as well as assisted with Intensive Outpatient Groups at Hope Creek School.

Heather worked with the Worcester County Health Department H.O.T. Boards Program (Health on the Boards), conducting mental health and alcohol/drug screenings for out of state juveniles that became involved in the legal system. In this position, she worked in collaboration with the Department of Juvenile Justice and made referrals for education/counseling programs throughout the country. She also has worked with a variety of community and state agencies in an effort to coordinate care and help children and families to receive the resources and support that they need.

Some mental health issues that Heather has worked with include Depression and Bi-polar Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, ADHD, Learning Disabilities, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, PTSD, and Reactive Attachment Disorder. She also works with children and adults with developmental disabilities, including autism.

Heather worked with many ADHD clients throughout the years. She uses the Vanderbilt as part of the assessment process. Once diagnosed, she educates the family on this disorder and works with the family, giving the parents helpful parenting strategies. She helps parents navigate the educational system to obtain additional assessments and supports when needed. Heather also works with the school and makes suggestions that can help the child to be more successful in the classroom.

Heather works with children diagnosed with Reactive Attachment Disorder. This would be considered a "specialty" area. Many of these children have come from neglectful and/or abusive homes and are either currently in foster care, in the process of being adopted or have already been adopted. She provides assessment, support, education and therapy to the child and family in an effort to help the child process and heal from trauma, and form healthy, secure attachments with new caregivers.

Heather is a Spirit-filled Christ follower that relies on the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit in the counseling process. She believes in the power of God that is available through prayer and the Holy Scriptures to heal, restore and transform lives. She feels especially called to work with families and has a great desire to see others develop an exciting, intimate, fulfilling relationship with Jesus Christ.

Heather is a member of Allen Memorial Baptist Church in Salisbury Maryland and is involved with her church through the Pastor's Prayer Partners and Children's Ministries. In addition, she and her husband are leaders of a Parenting Life Group that meets weekly in their home. The function of this group is to strengthen families and to support and empower parents through teaching a Biblically-based relational model of parenting.

Heather's passion for prayer and strong desire to see other women connect and grow in their relationship with the Lord led to her to begin a Ladies Prayer Ministry over a year ago. Each month, ladies from various churches in the community gather in her home for a unique group that combines worship, Scripture and prayer.

Heather feels that God has called her to participate in mission outreach ministries. . She considers it an incredible blessing to have the opportunity to travel to India each year with a team of people to spread the Gospel, pray for, and share the love of Jesus Christ with those in the lowest caste system.

Heather is also a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.

Heather and her husband Scott have lived in Salisbury, Maryland and have been married for seventeen years. They together have two daughters, Hannah and Olivia.

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Gail Miller, MA, LPCMH

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Gail firmly believes counseling is one of God's gifts to her. While her concentration at CHC was Marriage and Family counseling, she has also worked at local, state and privately funded organizations providing counseling to "at risk" youth with a myriad of complex personal and family issues. Gail's areas of practice are; marriage and family, individual as well as depression, anxiety and grief related issues.

Gail has been blessed with raising, or having made contributions in raising, several children over the years. Now, as adults themselves, they are raising their own children in a loving and caring environment. All of her family members, including her grandchildren know and love the Lord and they recognize the importance of serving God within their respective local churches.

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Bob Rausch, Ph.D.

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Dr. Bob has coached hundreds of leaders in the United States, Canada and Europe helping them to effectively use the gifts and talents God has given them to accomplish their goals in life. He is a clinically licensed psychologist as well as a certified Executive Coach and a registered corporate coach. Dr. Bob received his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Psychology from Louisiana Tech University and his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the Fielding Institute in Santa Barbara, Ca. He founded The Family Therapy Center in Shreveport, La. and was privileged to log more than 35,000 hours serving as a counselor while managing his team of seven therapists. In 1992 he began his coaching/consulting career and since then has worked with secular and Christian leaders around the globe.

In 1976 Dr. Bob was ordained as a Southern Baptist Minister and served as the Assistant Pastor of Summer Grover Baptist Church in Shreveport, La. from 1975 until 1979. He also taught Pastoral Counseling for The New Orleans Baptist Seminary at The Broadmoor Baptist Church campus in Shreveport, La. His Christian Faith and his experiences in the ministry have influenced his coaching and consulting practice around the world.

He was awarded The Readers Favorite Award in 2003 and 2004 from the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association International. He was also was twice nominated for Author of the Year by GAYA (Georgia Author of the Year Award) which is one of the most prestigious literary awards in the nation, and the oldest in the Southeastern United States. His most recent book, The Overwhelmed Servant - Avoiding the Three Traps of Spiritual Burnout deals with stress and burnout experienced by Christians in corporations and traditional ministries.

Dr. Bob is not all about business. He is a Master Scuba Diver as well as an avid weightlifter and has participated in numerous triathlons' and 100-mile bike races in West Texas. He and his wife Jinger have five sons and two grandsons and reside in Dallas, Texas.

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Anthony Trader, MSW, “LGSW”

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Ant, as we like to call him, served in the Unites States Air Force (USAF) for over seven (7) years having served a tour in Saudi Arabia. While in the Armed Forces he also received a degree in Business Management. Since Anthony has become a Christian, he has had a drive to share the life and power of Jesus Christ with others. Over ten (10) years ago Anthony felt lead of the Lord to start a ministry called "Christians On A Mission." This ministry focuses on high school and college students who need to know the love and life changing power of Jesus Christ in their lives!

His passion in counseling ranges in several different areas. On a weekly basis Anthony has the privilege, both individually as well as in a group setting, of counseling men who struggle with the bondage of both homosexuality and sexual addiction. Anthony is co-founder of The Underground, a three-day men's intensive sexual addiction workshop sponsored by Life Counseling Center. The Underground is a national ministry that helps men walk from the pit of sexual addiction and bondage to a place of purity and hope. He is also Life Counseling Center's "go to guy" with counseling teens who face various pressures and struggles in their lives. Anthony has unique views and unconventional ways to connect with teens to bring both change and growth within a clinical/Christian setting. Finally, Anthony, by the grace of God, has a unique talent in helping both marital couples as well as individuals find lasting help and healing for their lives. As a certified clinical Temperament Therapist, Anthony uses this great resource tool to help each individual and couple he counsels both understand and become inspired in their rich identity in Christ.

Anthony, his wife Ashley, daughter Londyn & son Lincoln reside in Pocomoke City. He has attended Emmanuel Wesleyan Church with his family in Salisbury, MD for several years.

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Wendy Wharton, MA, LPCMH

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Through her training and experience, Wendy has gained a deep understanding of the complex issues surrounding marriage and family. Her passion is helping couples and families improve their relationship. She has the desire & skills to treat relational issues, marriage & family discord, stress, anxiety and depression. She works to discern the role of couples and to restore authority to parents of challenging children and teens. She meets clients where they are, in a non-judgmental fashion and helps them identify their strengths by assisting them in creating strategies to meet their counseling goals. Her down-to-earth and calming style allows clients to feel at ease. Wendy believes that compassionate, Christian counseling allows clients to gain growth and understanding of the issues they face and find solutions for balance and peace.

Wendy is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors, American Counselors Association, Delaware School Counselors Association, Delaware Counseling Association, American Christian Schools International and American Fitness Professionals Association.

Wendy is also a middle school track & field coach. She views life as she does the track: life has hurdles but by keeping your eyes on the goal, none are insurmountable. She has a committed relationship with her husband, and her greatest joy is her family. She and her family attend Messiah's Vineyard Church in Laurel, Delaware, where they currently reside.

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