St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church,
Welcome to your Parish Counseling Page!
Rejoice Counseling Apostolate is pleased to offer professional counseling services to parishioners of St. Michael’s. Through individual, marriage or family counseling we can journey with you through numerous challenges you may want to overcome. And we will always bring the Catholic faith into the work we do with you.
Read below to learn about the Catholic counseling services that are available for parishioners and then get in touch with us. We are here to help.
– Dr. Chris Stravitsch, President
“In response to the need for Catholic Christian counsel, we have partnered with Rejoice Parish Counseling to provide healing and hope to our parishioners who experience suffering in their lives. By enhancing our pastoral care plan with their Parish Counseling Services, I have been privileged to witness a restoration of faith and families as they begin to weave healing into their daily lives–knowing that in this ministry God is truly present as Healer of our every ill.”
– Fr. Wayne Wilkerson, Pastor
Counselors serving the parishioners of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church
On-Site Counselors
Nick LaRocca, M.Ed., LPC
Parish Counselor and Parish Services Director
Meet Nick
Nick is a Licensed Professional Counselor and our Parish Services Director. He earned a Master of Education in Counseling (2011) from The University of Houston-Victoria and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (2005) while studying at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. Additionally, Nick has attended graduate courses in Catholic Theology at the Augustine Institute in Denver. He has also completed Level 2 Gottman training in marriage counseling. He counsels individuals, couples, and families. Read Nick's full bio
Locations
Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Angleton
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Alvin
St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, Houston
St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church, Spring
Sts. Simon & Jude Catholic Church, The Woodlands
Larry Freeney, Jr., PhD (cand.), LPC Intern; Supervised by Cheryl Ivory, MA, LPC-S and Chris Stravitsch, DMin, LPC-S, LMFT-S
Parish Counselor
Meet Larry
Larry is a Parish Counselor who is completing a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision at Sam Houston State University. As a Licensed Professional Counselor Intern, he receives supervision from Cheryl Ivory, M.A., LPC-S and Chris Stravitsch, DMin, LPC-S, LMFT-S. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Minor in Christianity (2014) and a Master of Arts in Counseling (2016) at Houston Baptist University. Read Larry’s full bio
Locations
St. James the Apostle, Spring
St. Ignatius of Loyola, Spring
St. Mary Magdalene, Humble
St. Michael the Archangel, Houston
Sts. Simon and Jude, The Woodlands
Lauren Guido; Supervised by Dr. Chris Stravitsch, DMin, LPC-S, LMFT-S
Parish Counselor Student Intern
Meet Lauren
Lauren Guido is a graduate intern working towards a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from Capella University. She is currently gaining professional counseling experience in our Practicum & Internship Student Program, which aims to form the next generation of Catholic counselors. She receives counseling supervision from Dr. Chris Stravitsch, DMin, LPC-S, LMFT-S. Lauren earned a Bachelor of Arts in Catholic Theology from the University of Dallas (2015). In counseling, Lauren can address depression, anxiety, self-esteem, addictions, emotional abuse, relationships, marriage and family life, and more. Read full bio.
Locations
St. Bartholomew the Apostle Catholic Church, Katy
St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, Houston
Off-Site Counselors Available Nearby
Dr. Chris Stravitsch, D.Min, LPC-S, LMFT-S
President and Founder
Meet Dr. Chris
Dr. Chris Stravitsch is the President and Founder of Rejoice Counseling Apostolate. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, as well as a Board Approved Supervisor for both licenses. He earned a Doctor of Ministry from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, and a dual degree in Pastoral Counseling from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas, which consisted of a M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy and M.A. in Pastoral Ministry. Chris oversees the counseling services that Rejoice Counseling Apostolate provides to Catholic parishes throughout the Greater Houston area and San Antonio. Read full bio
Locations
Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church, Houston
St. Bartholomew the Apostle Catholic Church, Katy
St. Cyril of Alexandria Catholic Church, Houston
Kelsey Johnson, MA, NCC, LPC Intern; Supervised by Dr. Chris Stravitsch, DMin, LPC-S, LMFT-S
Parish Counselor
Meet Kelsey
Kelsey is a National Certified Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor Intern, supervised by Dr. Chris Stravitsch, D.Min, LPC-S, LMFT-S. She has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Texas A&M University with minors in Neuroscience and Religious Studies (2015) and a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Franciscan University of Steubenville with a certificate in Christian Counseling (2018). Read full bio.
Locations
Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church, Houston
Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Angleton
St. Bartholomew the Apostle Catholic Church, Katy
St. Cyril of Alexandria Catholic Church, Houston
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Alvin
Gary Russell; Supervised by Dr. Chris Stravitsch, DMin, LPC-S, LMFT-S
Parish Counselor Student Intern
Meet Gary
Gary is a graduate intern working towards a Master of Arts in Counseling at Houston Baptist University. He expects to graduate in December 2019 and become a Licensed Professional Counselor Intern shortly thereafter. He is currently gaining professional counseling experience in our Practicum & Internship Student Program, which aims to form the next generation of Catholic counselors. He receives supervision from Dr. Chris Stravitsch, DMin, LPC-S, LMFT-S. In counseling, Gary can address depression, anxiety, self-esteem, relationships, addictions, emotional abuse, divorce trauma and recovery, parenting, and authentic masculinity from a Christian perspective. He works with adults, couples, and families. Read full bio.
Locations
St. Cyril of Alexandria Catholic Church, Houston
Laura Aguirre, MA, LPC
Parish Counselor
Meet Laura
Laura Aguirre is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Sam Houston State University.
Laura es una Consejera Profesional con Licencia. Ella logro su bachillerato de ciencia de psicología y su maestría de arte en consejería clínico en salud mental de la universidad de Sam Houston State.
Locations / Localizada en:
Christ the Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Spring
St. James the Apostle, Catholic Church, Spring
St. Jerome Catholic Church, Houston
St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, Humble
Sts. Simon & Jude Catholic Church, The Woodlands
Onsite Counseling
- Thursdays: afternoon & evening (Lauren Guido)
- Fridays: morning & afternoon (Larry Freeney)
Offsite Counseling: Available Monday-Friday
- Parishioners can also schedule appointments with any of our professional counselors at any of our locations. Appointments are available Monday thru Friday. Contact us for details.
Fee
- The fee for professional counseling is based on a sliding scale. All parishioners and families of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church will be able to use a sliding scale. Your fee is determined by your annual household income and family size. We are committed to ensuring everyone can receive counseling. Contact us for details.