BABBCENTER COUNSELING STAFF

Ray grew up in Union City, Tennessee and graduated from Union University in Jackson, Tennessee, where he met his wife, Gail. Ray graduated from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky with the Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Christian Education, and the Doctor of Ministry degrees. Following seminary graduation, he pastored churches in Virginia and Tennessee, the last being the First Baptist Church of Lebanon, Tennessee for 14 years. He also served on the administrative staff of Tennessee Christian Medical Center, coordinating services for community ministers, as well as developing and promoting the behavioral programs of the hospital. Ray served as a member of the Board of Trustees for Belmont University and Baptist Hospital. Ray and Gail have two sons. Gail is a retired Spanish teacher who enjoys rubber stamping and playing the harp.

Brandon was born in Danville, Indiana and spent his childhood in Fayetteville, Georgia. He graduated from Olivet Nazarene University in Chicago with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Art. He holds a Master’s degree in Marital and Family Therapy from Trevecca Nazarene University and is currently an adjunct professor at the same school. Brandon is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with the state of Tennessee. Prior to working at The BABBCENTER, Brandon worked as a Psychosocial Rehabilitation Service Coordinator and was actively involved serving families and individuals with mental retardation. Brandon is an active member of Nashville First Church of the Nazarene. Other interests include reading, writing poetry, drawing, and painting.

Beth Baxter is a board-certified psychiatrist in private practice in Nashville, Tennessee and with The BABBCENTER in Hendersonville, Tennessee. She received her graduate medical training at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, her internship in internal medicine at the University of Tennessee in Memphis, Tennessee, and her psychiatry residency training at the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York. Beth has received many awards, which include the Mental Health Association of Nashville's Clifford Beers Award in 1997, NAMI Nashville's Consumer Advocate of the Year Award in 1998, national NAMI's Exemplary Psychiatrist Award in 2000, and Eli Lilly's Honorary Public Eye Reintegration Award in 2001. She has spoken publicly about her dual roles as mental healthcare consumer and provider since 1996 at many academic, advocacy, and faith-oriented conferences. She remains active in many local and national organizations that focus on expanding education, treatment, and advocacy for mentally ill individuals. Beth is the author of many journal, newsletter, and magazine articles, as well as a book chapter about "her story." She has also co-authored the BRIDGES program, which is an educational and support program for mentally ill individuals.

Rhonda is a licensed psychologist in the state of Tennessee. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Hamilton College in New York, and her Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology degrees from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. She provides counseling and conducts psychological assessments for children, adolescents, adults and families. Rhonda's special areas of interest include: depression and anxiety, bipolar disorder, grief counseling, ADHD and learning disorders, and autism and Asperger's disorder. Rhonda's approach to therapy includes a focus on the mind, body, and spirit. Rhonda and her husband have lived in Middle Tennessee for over 10 years, and have three children. She enjoys being active in her church, exercising, coaching soccer, playing board games with her children, and reading.

Angela was born in Gallatin, TN where she lived until moving with her husband, three children and a variety of animals to their mini-farm in Castalian Springs. She received her Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Cumberland University and Master of Marriage and Family Therapy degree from Trevecca Nazarene University. Before receiving her graduate training in counseling, Angela worked in church ministry as director of discipleship. Her role in pastoral care led her to pursue her education in marital and family therapy. Angela has been married for over 20 years to her husband, Dale. They have a son in college, a son in high school, and a daughter in middle school. She and her family are active in their church, Long Hollow Baptist-Gallatin Campus, where she teaches young adults. Angela enjoys spending time at home with her family, gardening, and reading.

I have many times referred to life as a series of ascents, plateaus, and descents. Some of the ascents could be compared to a Mount Everest, and some to a hill in a neighborhood. Every climb takes a certain amount of preparation, skill, and equipment. Every climb leaves its mark in the psyche. Some of the memory may be good, and some may be regretful. I had the privilege of growing up on a mountain, and being very aware of the dangers of hiking, and the possibility of being injured or lost. Yet there has always been a pull toward the adventure of what I may find along the trail or at the summit. I have climbed to the top of Mt. LeConte, as I am sure many of you reading this may have. I climbed with my husband, son and friends. The one rule we had given our twelve-year-old son at the time was, if you climb with us, you cannot complain. He agreed. He led the group most of the way up the mountain and then back down the next day. On our drive back home we asked him his thoughts and feelings on the adventure. He told us that it was the hardest thing he had ever done in his life, yet it remains as a positive memory. Our best preparation may not actually protect us from emotional or physical pain, yet it may help us endure and persevere. Proverbs has many verses that tell us to get counsel, get knowledge and wisdom. Sometimes we seek these through friends, a pastor, or a professional counselor. I entered into this adventure with the hope of walking alongside those on this same journey we call life. In this endeavor my husband, son and daughter support me. I find myself drawn toward couple relationships, family relationship dynamics, including step families, and individual counseling with concern toward women in abusive relationships. I also have continuing education credits in Post partum depression and have had the privilege of presenting material on this subject to a MOPS group. Some of life's mountains, and/or valleys are steeper and deeper than others have experienced. Sometimes we need someone to help us become better equipped in our climb toward the summit and/or persevering through the deep valleys. I hope I can be of some help along your pathway toward wholeness.

Caroline grew up in the Donelson area and raised three sons before returning to school to complete her education. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Western Kentucky University. Caroline also holds a doctorate from Oxford University Graduate School. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Tennessee and has a goal to do the research and write a book related to marriage and family therapy. She and her husband, Rick, enjoy traveling in the United States and abroad, and spending time with her three sons, their wives, and five grandchildren. They also enjoy hiking, which includes an annual hike to Mt. LeConte, the highest Tennessee peak in the Smoky Mountains. Caroline believes that her life experiences and education have been used by God as preparation for her work at The BABBCENTER.

Sandy was born in West Tennessee and grew up in Nashville. She has 20 years experience in the insurance industry managing customer service and processing centers. Sandy resides in Wilson County with her husband Butch and their cat Josephine. She is very proud of her two adult children, Matt and Angie, their soul mates, Erika and Jon, and four grandchildren, Eli, Gabby, Katherine, and Michael. She feels blessed that all of her family worships together at Long Hollow Baptist Church in Hendersonville. Sandy enjoys traveling, decorating, and cooking as well as entertaining family and friends in her home. She is excited to be a part of the ministry at The BABBCenter.

Deb Wilson is a master level counselor, receiving her master and bachelor degrees from Trevecca Nazarene University. She completed all continuing education and work for licensure as a counselor in the state of Tennessee. Deb should receive her license as a professional counselor in August, 2009. Deb’s areas of interest include working with senior adults, men’s and women’s issues, and working with victims of domestic violence. She also does volunteer work at Metro Nashville’s Police Department’s Domestic Violence Division. She and husband, Peter, are active members in their local church, Cross Point Community Church, Nashville campus. Together they have four children and five grandchildren. Along with working with people to change lives, she enjoys family, friends, reading and nature.