Faculty

Mark J. Chironna, Ph.D., is a published author and writer, as well as an accomplished pianist, composer, vocalist and songwriter. His degrees include a B.A. in Music and Education, an M.Div. in Theology, an M.A. in Psychology, a Ph.D. in Theology, and is currently in the process of earning his Ph.D. in Psychology.

Jennifer Cisney, M.A., is director of Professional Relations for the American Association of Christian Counselors. She received her Master’s degree in counseling from Wake Forest University and has worked in the field of Christian counseling since 1994. She specializes in working with issues of grief, crisis, and trauma. Jennifer currently serves as Coordinator for AACC’s National Crisis Response Team and is a trained trainer through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation. She was director of AACC’s Soul Care TRIP in New York City following 9/11.

Chap Clark, Ph.D., is associate professor of youth, family, and culture at Fuller Theological Seminary and team leader and pastor of Emmanuel Church in Burbank, CA. He is a popular speaker and author.

Tim Clinton, Ed.D., LPC, LMFT, is president of the 50,000-member AACC and is Professor of Counseling and Executive Director of the Liberty University Center for Counseling and Family Studies. He is a popular speaker and author of several best-selling books.

Marian Eberly, RN, MSW, LCSW, is Vice President of Program Development at Remuda Ranch. She is the clinical advisor to Remuda’s patient care team and is responsible for the development of new programs.

Marnie Ferree, M.A., LMFT, is a therapist with the Woodmont Hills Counseling Center in Nashville, Tennessee and the leader of the Bethesda Workshop Ministry. She specializes in sexual recovery, with a specific focus on the treatment of female sexual addiction. Marnie also works with adult sexual abuse survivors and conducts marital therapy around the issues of addiction and abuse. She is also an author and speaker.

Ron Luce, M.A., is founder and president of Teen Mania, one of America’s largest youth organizations. He has become one of America’s foremost experts on teen culture. Ron has worked with more than 12 million teens in more than 50 countries since 1986 through the many facets of Teen Mania and was appointed on the White House Advisory Commission on Drug-Free Communities from 2002 — 2004.

David Hall, M.A., received his degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the Psychological Studies Institute. He is an active member of Sexual Wholeness, Inc., where he serves as the Executive Assistant to the Board of Directors. David has written, published and spoken at national conferences on issues such as single sexuality and the Church. David’s focus is working with adolescents, adults, couples, and families with such concerns as sexual identity, singles issues, sexual compulsions and dysfunctions, as well as other general counseling and relational concerns.

Michelle McKinney Hammond, is an author, speaker, singer, and TV show co-host. Michelle is a frequently requested speaker sharing contemporary messages interlaced with humor, relevant life experiences and practical biblical principles, making God come alive for her audiences and helping people approach their relationship with God on a more personal level.

Catherine Hart Weber, Ph.D., is a licensed marriage and family therapist who serves on the International Foursquare Board for CARE counseling resource for pastors and their families and speaks extensively on marital enrichment and women’s issues.

Glen Havens, M.D., is director of the Ark Psychiatric Services in Atlanta, GA. He received his M.D. from the Medical University of South Carolina and completed his psychiatric residency at the Wright State School of Medicine while on active duty in the Air Force.

Ed Maynard, Ph.D., is psychological consultant to the Lighthouse Counseling Service in Charlotte, NC. He is the co-author of Healing for the City: Counseling in the Urban Setting, which is published by Zondervan Publishing, a division of Harper Collins.

Linda Mintle, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical social worker, specializing in marriage and family therapy, eating disorders and infertility. She is the author of numerous articles and books, including A Daughter’s Journey Home, Kids Killing Kids, Getting Unstuck, Divorce Proofing Your Marriage, Lose it for Life and Overweight Kids.

Sharon Hart May, Ph.D., is the originator of the highly acclaimed Haven of Safety Marriage Relationship Intensives and Conferences at the Hart Institute in Pasadena, CA. Sharon is an internationally known expert in emotionally focused therapy and the author of Safe Haven Marriage.

Captain Jim Nelms has worked in the fire/EMS for 20 years. He has been involved in the development of peer support services and the administration of pre and post incident traumatic stress mental health support for 16 years. Jim currently serves as the State Coordinator of the Georgia Crisis Response Team. He has led the Henry/Clayton CISM Team from its inception in 1995. Jim is on the faculty of the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation as an instructor for CISM: Advanced Group Crisis Intervention, CISM: Group Crisis Intervention, CISM: Individual Crisis Intervention and Peer Support and Pastoral Crisis Intervention. His unique, common sense style of instruction is a welcome insight to the field of traumatic stress.

George Ohlschlager, J.D., LCSW, is Senior Editor and Writer of Christian Counseling Today and other AACC publications, and is Executive Director of the International Board of Christian Counselors, the AACC-affiliated counselor credentialing and program accreditation agency. He also chairs the AACC Law & Ethics Committee.

Jorge Prado helped to establish a Counseling Center in Flushing, NY, where he worked as a family therapist. He relocated to Charlotte, NC in 2000 where he began a Spanish Ministry at Calvary Church. He is also involved in the Pastoral Care ministry, which includes the counseling center, support groups, and the Senior Adult ministry.

Douglas E. Rosenau, Ed.D., is a licensed psychologist and marriage and family therapist specializing in sex therapy. Doug maintains a private practice and serves as an adjunct professor of Human Sexuality in the Master’s in Counseling program at Psychological Studies Institute in Atlanta, GA.

Gary Sibcy, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and professional counselor with Piedmont Psychiatric Center in Lynchburg, VA. Gary is also an assistant professor in Liberty University’s doctoral program in professional counseling.

Steve Russo, M.A., is a best-selling author, internationally known communicator and drummer. Steve is the host of the radio program, Real Answers, heard on more than 600 stations daily. He is the featured speaker on the music video TV show, 24/SEVEN, and is host of the Real Answers New Year’s Eve TV Special. He has also been featured on ABC, CBS and NBC news’ broadcasts, as well as The O’Reilly Factor on the Fox News channel.

Eric T. Scalise, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, and Vice President for Professional Development at AACC and the former Dept. Chair for Counseling Programs at Regent University. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with over 27 years of clinical experience. He is also President of Beacon Counseling & Consulting located in Tidewater, VA.

Georgia Shaffer, M.A., is a licensed psychologist and professional coach. She is the author of the award-winning book, A Gift of Mourning Glories: Restoring Your Life after Loss and the producer of the syndicated radio feature, The Mourning Glory Minute. Georgia is also the founder and executive director of Mourning Glory Ministries.

David Stoop, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and founder and director of the Center for Family Therapy in Newport Beach, CA. David is a member of the AACC Executive Board.

Josh Straub, M.A., ABD, serves as the Executive Assistant to the President for AACC, is a Certified Trained Trainer on the AACC National Crisis Response Team, and is the Assistant Director of Practicum and Internships in the Center for Counseling and Family Studies at Liberty University.

Erica S.N. Tan, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist working with a private group practice in Virginia Beach, VA. She is passionate about working with adolescents, young adults, and their families, particularly in the area of sexual identity development.

Sara E. Trollinger, M.A., is founder and president of House of Hope, a Christian, non-denominational residential program for troubled teenagers, located in Orlando, FL. Founded in 1985, House of Hope Orlando has helped to restore the lives of thousands of teenagers and reconcile families. It serves as the national model for other Houses of Hope across the nation.

Tom Whiteman, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and founder and director of Life Counseling Services in Paoli, PA. He is also is director of Fresh Start Seminars and presents up to 50 programs a year on divorce recovery. Tom has written several books including, The Marriage Mender, Adult ADD, Victim of Love, and The Complete Stress Management Workbook.

Michael Todd Wilson, M.S., is a licensed professional counselor and life coach with the Intimacy Counseling Center (www.IntimacyCounselingCenter.com), located in Atlanta with the American Board of Christian Sex Therapists.

Leslie Vernick, MSW, is a licensed clinical social worker with a private counseling practice. She received her master’s degree at the University of Illinois and has completed postgraduate work in biblical counseling and cognitive therapy.