MEET THE TEAM

Lead Team & Coaches

  • Director of Vibrant Living Coaching

    Psychologist, PSY 29058

    Psy.D. Clinical Psychology, Azusa Pacific University

    Dr. Elizabeth Powell is a licensed clinical psychologist, coach, and speaker. She has a passion for healthy churches and supporting those in ministry. Over the last several years, she has provided training to numerous churches around personal development, relational dynamics, and organizational health. She spent over a decade as a professor of psychology at Vanguard University where she also served as the Associate Dean for the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences there. She has a passion for travel and working with diverse populations.

  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT 27433

    Licensed Minister

    M.A. Marriage and Family Therapy

    B.A. Religion

    Randy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and is the Founder and Executive Director at Journeys Counseling Ministry. He began the counseling center at Vanguard University, started a ministry called "Hands Across the Border" at Vanguard and was the first full-time pastor for Vanguard. He has been a singles' pastor, family pastor, and pioneered a new church. He earned his Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy from Cal State Fullerton University and Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Vanguard University. Randy is a licensed minister and a regular speaker at churches and conferences. Randy has been a radio guest on a number of radio shows, podcasts, and has been interviewed on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).

  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT 52051

    Ordained Minister

    M.S. Clinical Psychology, Vanguard University

    EMDR Training Certificate of Completion

    EMDRIA Certified EMDR Therapist (in process)

    Kristi began her Marriage and Family Therapist career at Journeys Counseling in 2007. She is passionate about using her background in business and education, combined with her clinical skills and Christian faith to help clients find hope and healing. Kristi is passionate about instilling hope for those suffering from depression, anxiety, fear of abandonment, trauma and PTSD. She also enjoys working with women in career/transition along with couples who struggle with communication, financial issues, or infidelity.

    Kristi is the Director of Marketing for Journeys Counseling Ministry and the Clinical Director for the Mission Viejo location. Kristi has volunteered for the Saddleback Church Care Ministry for over 10 years, was Director of Recruitment for Vanguard University School for Professional Studies program for 15 years, and has over 20 years of experience working in the fashion industry as a buyer and in sales. Kristi has her Certificate in Eye Movement Desensitization (EMDR) training and is working to become an EMDRIA Certified EMDR Therapist.

    Kristi met her husband Randy at a coed Bible Study and married in 2002. She has an adult autistic step son who she loves spending time with which has given her an understanding so she can help moms of special needs children.

  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT 108753

    M.S., Vanguard University

    Christina is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist at Journeys Counseling Ministry. After having been raised and completing her schooling as a dual-citizen in Germany, she moved to the United States for her college and graduate education. She has worked in a variety of mental health, drug and alcohol recovery, and faith-based counseling settings, including residential mental health care, the Orange County Rescue Mission, College Hospital Costa Mesa, and Saddleback Church.

    Her background of living in Europe as well as serving populations that are incredibly diverse in socio-economic status, ethnicity, race, culture, age, gender, religious beliefs, and other ideologies lends itself to cultivating an ongoing awareness of issues of diversity as well as a deep empathy and compassion for the unique journey and experience of each individual. She considers it a great honor to join with her clients in the pursuit of their goals in an atmosphere of acceptance and encouragement in which her clients can begin to explore, process, grow, heal, and flourish.

Coaches

  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT 50186

    Executive Director of Journeys Counseling Ministry

    Ordained Pastor, River Church of the South Bay

    M.S. Clinical Psychology, Vanguard University

    B.S. Psychology, San Diego State University

    Chris is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and is the Clinical Director/Supervisor of Journeys Counseling South Bay. Chris is also a regular speaker at churches, community groups, seminars, small groups, and large retreats. He has also been a reoccurring guest on YouTube shows and podcasts focused on mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Chris is also an adjunct professor in the psychology department at a Christian University and has been involved in multiple levels of ministry most recently serving as an elder and teacher at his church in Palos Verdes.

    After completing his graduate work, Chris spent over 5 years working with high acuity patients in a psychiatric hospital gaining experience with issues ranging from addiction, to severe depression and psychosis. Chris has been with Journeys Counseling since 2008 and enjoys working with individuals, couples, and adolescents who are seeking to have a deeper understanding of who they are and why, as they learn how to draw closer to self and others.

    Chris and his wife Heidi were married in December of 2003, and have two children Kai & Kalia.

  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT 47858

    M.S. Clinical Psychology, Vanguard University

    B.A. Psychology, St. Cloud State University

    Tim is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Clinical Director of Journeys Counseling Ministry. Working at Journeys Counseling Ministry since 2003, he provides individual, family, and relationship counseling. As a clinical supervisor for the past seven years, he provides clinical supervision and training for Marriage and Family Therapy and Professional Clinical Counselor Trainees and Interns. Tim has also worked for College Hospital Costa Mesa, an inpatient psychiatric facility, since 2002. He worked with adults, adolescents, and chemical dependency patients in an acute inpatient setting. Currently, Tim evaluates patients for College Hospital in emergency rooms as a Psychiatric Evaluation Team clinician. He has experience working with many issues including adolescents, and people who struggle with anxiety disorders, depression, mood disorders, substance abuse, psychotic disorders and relationship issues.

    Tim is a graduate of St. Cloud State University (Minnesota) in Psychology and earned his Master of Science Degree in Clinical Psychology from Vanguard University in 2004. He is passionate about working with people to reduce symptoms, achieve goals, and to experience more intimacy and contentment with themselves and connection in their relationships.

  • Jake Stowell

    Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT 125971

    M.S. Clinical Psychology, Vanguard University

    B.S. Biology, Point Loma Nazarene University

    Jake is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with experience counseling children, teens, adults, and their families through issues including: divorce, autism, social anxiety, addiction, anger, depression, trauma, and thoughts of suicide. Jake is EMDR therapy trained. Jake also has experience at a rehab center, counseling teens and adult men who suffered from addiction, relational conflict, and mental illness.

    Personally, Jake prioritizes finding balance. He spends most of his free time with family and close friends. His hobbies range from meditation to beach volleyball to Magic: The Gathering. Jake is an avid writer, podcaster, and the author of two novels.

    Jake strives to practice what he preaches: self-care, balanced thinking, mindfulness, and faith.

  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT 106915

    Clinical Director of Journeys at Vanguard University

    M.S. Clinical Psychology, Vanguard University

    B.A. Communications, Southern Methodist University

    Ross is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist at Journeys Counseling Ministry and is the Site Supervisor for the Santa Ana office. Ross is currently the Clinical Supervisor of the Therapeutic Department at Olive Crest Academy, a behavioral non-public special education school in Garden Grove for students with behavioral challenges and other learning disabilities.

    Ross' passion is bringing a collaborative approach to work with adolescents and teens, as well as their parents, to navigate the demands of school, peers, and family life. Ross also works with individuals and couples suffering from anxiety, depression and relational conflict.

  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT 114784

    Clinical Director Journeys South Bay

    M.S. Marriage Family Therapy, CSU Dominguez Hills

    B.S. Biblical Studies, San Diego Christian College

    Jeremy is a licensed therapist with Journeys Southbay in Torrance. He has also counseled special needs students at a local high school. Before becoming a therapist Jeremy worked with adolescents and young adults. Though he still enjoys working with adolescents and young adults, he also likes to meet with families and individuals to discuss current struggles and desired goals.

    Jeremy speaks at local organizations in the area about family, parenting, mental health, and faith.

    Jeremy’s MS in Marriage and Family Therapy is from CSU Dominguez Hills and his BA in Biblical Studies is from San Diego Christian College. He has been married for a number of years and parents two girls and a boy.

  • Associate Clinical Social Worker, ASW 103731

    Supervised by Randy Powell, LMFT 27433

    M.A. Social Work, California State University, Long Beach

    B.A., Aurora University

    Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor - CADC III

    My passion is working with men, couples, and families. I connect well with people and have developed a strong empathic but positive attitude toward all the people I work with. My calling and passion are to help people develop a sense of hope that life could be better, and they have what it takes to make this happen. I am also certified in counseling for substance abuse.

    I enjoy assisting people with their relationships, helping them work through their past challenges and assisting them to discover that they have what it takes to have a better, healthier life spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

    As alone and unique as you may feel in whatever your struggle is, there isn’t anything new under the sun that hasn’t been experienced before. The details of your story may be unique, but the feelings have been experienced by millions of people before you. Allow me the opportunity to work alongside you to unveil some effective tools and strategies that can unlock a life with not just more periods of happiness but one with peace that will last a lifetime.

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW-S 63619

    M.A. Social Work, University of Texas, Arlington

    B.S. Psychology, University of Texas, El Paso

    PACT - LEVEL 1 certified

    ETT - LEVEL 5 certified

    2022 Recipient of “Best of Plano” in Mental Health Services

    Sarah is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Clinical Director of Journeys Counseling Ministry in North Dallas. Her background experience consists of years working in inpatient, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient settings of both adults and adolescents at various behavioral health hospitals in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Sarah is passionate about combining both her clinical skills and Christian faith not only to build the bridge between psychology and spirituality, but to help clients cultivate a deeper healing for the soul.

    Sarah specializes in various traumas and addictions serving both individuals and couples. In addition, she is trained in both PACT (Psychological Approach to Couples Therapy) and ETT (Emotional Transformation Therapy) both found to provide substantial results in healing and growth.

    Sarah is devoted to ministry and has volunteered in serving with Church Eleven32 for years including various community outreach events at the Dallas Dreamcenter and ministering to the church by counseling students and providing teachings on mental health at the Eleven32 College.

    Sarah met her husband Jon while playing for the same rugby team and fell in love serving the church together. They married in 2019 and live happily with their miracle baby girl Esperanza.

  • M.S. Clinical Psychology, Vanguard University
    M.A. Spiritual Formation and Soul Care, Institute for Spiritual Formation at Talbot School of Theology
    M.A. Philosophy, Talbot School of Theology
    B.S. Christian Ministry, Hope International University
    Licensed Minister

    Matt is a Marriage and Family Therapist Associate at Journeys Counseling in Costa Mesa. With a rich educational background in psychology, philosophy, and spiritual theology, he specializes in supporting ministry leaders, individuals, couples, and families as they navigate life’s challenges. Matt’s approach centers on fostering an empathetic space that promotes trust and honesty, essential for meaningful therapeutic progress. He is dedicated to aiding his clients, particularly those in ministry, in their pursuit of a fulfilling and purposeful life.

Out of state licenses

We also have a number of coaches who hold licensure in various states and may be able to provide mental health services upon request.

Click below for more information:

Coaches with Licensure
Journeys Counseling