President:
Dr. Laura Kreiselmaier
Dr. Laura Rosser Kreiselmaier (she/her/hers) is a Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapist (#60) and the current president of the Tennessee Association of Pastoral Therapists. She completed two-year certification in Nashville’s Advanced Psychodynamic Psychotherapy training program in 2016, and has held church music positions in several different denominations, most recently Glendale United Methodist Church. Dr. Laura provides holistic psychotherapy with an eye toward the intricate connections among our minds, souls, bodies, and relationships. She holds a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University in Religion, Psychology, & Culture (2016), where her dissertation research explored creativity and mystical experience.
Vice President:
Dr. Ryan Noel Fraser
Dr. Ryan Noel Fraser was born in the States but raised in South Africa on the mission field. He attended Freed-Hardeman University (FHU) where he met and married his wife of 34 years, Missy Housel. They have two adult children, Olivia and Austin, and a terrific son-in-law, Dalen, and reside in Henderson, TN. Ryan is an Associate Professor of Bible and Pastoral Counseling at Freed-Hardeman University and has been teaching at FHU since 2006. Up until 2019, he primarily taught in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate program. He coordinates the M.A. in Pastoral Care and Counseling program as well as the Youth & Family Ministry undergraduate program.
Ryan holds a Ph.D. in Pastoral Theology & Pastoral Counseling from Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University. He is a former fellow of AAPC, a psychotherapist member of ACPE, and a Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapist (LCPT) and approved supervisor in the state of Tennessee. He serves as the pulpit minister and an elder for the Bethel Springs Church of Christ (in McNairy County). He travels extensively nationally and internationally providing conference seminars and specialized training workshops for ministers, counselors, chaplains, missionaries, and laypersons.
Secretary:
Rev. Dr. Carolyn Smith Goings
Rev. Dr. Carolyn Smith Goings (she/her/hers) is a Tennessee native who has lived in fourteen states, with most of her adult life in New England where she taught college and pastored several congregations. She provided counseling to congregants and community members and served as Chaplain in hospitals, prisons, long-term care facilities, hospice care, and on a college campus. Carolyn is a Board-Certified Chaplain and a Board-Certified CPE Supervisor and Educator.
Carolyn earned degrees from Goddard College: a B.A. in English and a M.F.A. in Creative Writing, and from Antioch University: a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership, focusing on race relations in Christian congregations. Currently, she is pursuing a Ph.D. at Belmont University in Mental Health Counseling, Advanced Clinical Practices. Dr. Goings provides pastoral counseling at her practice, Grateful Hearts @ The Well. To reach her, use the email contact link under her photo or call (731) 325-9000 and leave a message.
Treasurer:
Rev. Chris O’Rear
Chris is the former Executive Director of the Pastoral Counseling Centers of Tennessee and a former President of the Tennessee Association of Pastoral Therapists. He has experience in both hospital chaplaincy and pastoral psychotherapy. Pastoral Counseling brings spiritual understanding and resources as well as psychological understanding for healing and growth. Chris is open to working with clients of all faiths, people who have been hurt by their faith group, and those who identify with no faith. Chris seeks to be open and inclusive with each client. All are welcome here. Chris is trained in in-depth psychotherapy and enjoys exploring the deeper roots of presenting problems with a focus on uncovering practical solutions.
As an ordained minister, Chris is also a regular speaker and preacher who has written several published articles and Sunday School lessons. He’s been married to Lynda since 1987 and they have two daughters. He has earned a Master of Divinity in Pastoral Care & Counseling, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (1993) and a Master of Marriage & Family Therapy, Trevecca Nazarene University (2004).
Community Outreach:
Rev. James C. Ward Jr.
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Website and Technology:
Mason Hale
Mason earned a Bachelor of Science in Bible (2015), a Master of Arts in Pastoral Care and Counseling (2019), and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (2021) at Freed-Hardeman University. He is currently a PhD student in Counseling and Supervision at Tennessee Tech University and the Young Adults Ministry Intern at the College Hills Church of Christ in Lebanon, TN.
Mason is a National Certified Counselor (#1567250) by the NBCC and a Board-Certified Christian Counselor (#719) by the American Association of Christian Counselors. Mason holds the Temp. Licensed Professional Counselor-Mental Health Service Provider (#5638) designation in Tennessee. Before becoming a counselor Mason served churches for 8 years as a minister in Texas, Indiana, and Tennessee.
CPT Licensure Liaison:
Dr. David Thornton
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