OUR TEAM

MEET OUR TEAM


Executive Team

vanessa jones

VANESSA JONES

She/Her/Hers

MS, LMHC, CSAYC

Executive Director/CEO

Paige Zehr

Paige Zehr

She/Her

MS, LMHC

Clinical Director

Clinical Team

Rae Dixie

Raphilla (Rae) Dixie

MA, LCAC

Therapist

Ronald J. Furniss

Ronald J. Furniss

ACSW, LCSW, LCAC

Therapist

Alicia Goings

Alicia Goings

MBA

Client Liaison

Cristina Jiménez

Cristina Jiménez

MSEd, LMHCA

Therapist

Aaron Kimble

Aaron Kimble

He/Him

MSEd, LMHCA

Therapist

Jade Milliman

Jade Milliman

LCSW

Therapist

Wendi Moon

Wendi Moon

BS

Group Facilitator

Samantha Singh

Samantha Singh

MSEd

Clinician I

Maddie Strelec

Maddie Strelec

MSEd 

Intern


Administrative Team

Yolanda Townes

Yolanda Townes

Medical Billing Supervisor

Angela Presley

Angela Presley

Billing Clerk

diana mcgraw

Mae Dalton

They/Them

Receptionist

vannesa jones

Vanessa Jones

She/Hers/Her

MS, LMHC, CSAYC,

Executive Director/CEO

Vanessa began with Headwaters Counseling in 2010. Vanessa has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology (2003) and a Master of Science Degree in Mental Health Counseling (2009) from the University of Saint Francis.  She obtained a license, in the state of Indiana, in 2013 as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and in 2021 a Credentialed Sexually Abusive Youth Clinician (CSAYC).



Her prior experience includes five years as a Behavioral Rehabilitation Technician with the Carriage House through Park Center. She worked as a therapist with Lutheran Social Services for one year just prior to coming to us.  She has advanced training in DBT and EMDR.


Vanessa’s clients trust her, and feel that her office is a judgment free, safe place to share their thoughts and feelings.  Her favorite thing about working with clients is helping a person find their own voice. 


Vanessa served Headwaters Counseling as a skilled therapist for eight years before being promoted to Director of Clinical Services in October 2018, and then Associate Director in 2021. In 2024, she became Executive Director & CEO. She maintains a small caseload of clients especially focusing in the areas of trauma, dissociative identity disorder, and depression. As Clinical Director, she also supervises some of our therapists, and she promotes an atmosphere of good client care. Vanessa knows that good client care starts with a healthy supportive workplace for therapists who work so hard every day. Often a therapist can be found in Vanessa’s office for debriefing, validation, or guidance.   


paige zehr

Paige Zehr

She/Her

MS, LMHC, Therapist

Clinical Director

Headwaters Counseling was pleased to welcome Paige in February 2019. Paige got busy immediately seeing individual clients and doing group counseling several times a week at a local half way house. Paige also meets with individuals weekly at the local homeless shelter.  

Paige earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in December 2014 and her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling three years later in December 2017.

Paige comes to us with experience in individual and group counseling, home based counseling, case work and parenting education. She has training in substance abuse, trauma, and EMDR. 


Paige has a special interest in helping those who are hurting. She is passionate about helping people to recover from trauma by finding a new normal and to begin enjoying life again. Paige’s favorite thing about working with clients is assisting them in realizing their potential to be healthy and happy individuals.   


When Paige is not at work she enjoys golfing, exercise, reading and kayaking. Paige also enjoys time at home with family, specifically her sons. She has a strong-willed, yet cute beagle named Cole. 


Paige’s favorite quote is “I think I’ll just be happy today.” We at Headwaters Counseling are definitely happy about having Paige as part of our team!

Rae Dixie

Raphilla (Rae) Dixie

MA, LCAC, Therapist

Rae Dixie joined are team in late 2023 specializing in Clinical Addictions her prior experience includes inpatient and outpatient therapy working for Praxis, Park Center, PBH, Caring About People, Amani Family Services and lastly for FWPD for 10 years as a Crime Victim/Domestic Violence Advocate. She graduated Magna cum laude, with a Ph.D. in Philosophy in Destiny and Human Potential Coaching, Master’s Degrees in Clinical Addiction Counseling, Organizational

Leadership and Christian Business, a B.A. in Business Management from Trine University,

 Associate Degrees in Business Administration, Health Care Management, and Human Resource Management. She is a Member of: NAADAC National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors, IAAP, Indiana Association of Addiction Professionals, Phi Theta Kappa, Omnicron Psi, and The National Honor Society. Rae is listed in Who’s Who and The National Deans List has published her biography for 5 years.

ronald j. furniss

Ronald J. Furniss

ACSW, LCSW, LCAC,  Therapist

  Ron has been with Headwaters Counseling since 1980 ! He came to us after he received his Master's Degree in Social Work from Indiana University that same year. 


 Prior to this, Ron earned his Bachelor of Arts at Saint Francis College in 1975 and worked as a case manager and houseparent in a mental health center.




Ron has special interest and training in the areas of violence, substance abuse, and physical and sexual abuse treatment. Ron enjoys helping clients grow and says he learns something from each person he sees. Ron believes that we are most able to grow when we learn more about ourselves. Ron lives by the idea that each of us should treat ourselves and others with dignity and respect.


Ron is married with one adult son. In his free time he likes travel and be together with family and friends. Ron practices Mindfulness in his personal life to reduce stress. He also enjoys reading, cooking, gardening and exercise.

alicia stanek

Alicia Goings

MBA, Client Liaison

Alicia joined our team in October 2018. She has a Master’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources from Keller Graduate School. 

 She has previous experience as the Director of Financial Aid at a local college. In her former employment, Alicia loved working with students and helping them achieve their goals. She realized that she wanted to take her career in a different direction. She wanted to help people make their lives better! That desire is what brought her to Headwaters Counseling.  

Alicia is our Client Liaison. Any person coming to Headwaters Counseling for the first time will know Alicia! She does a lot around our office, but most importantly she matches new clients with their therapist and orients them to our services. She is very busy on the phone and meeting with clients for the first time. She can answer most any question you have about our agency!


We at Headwaters Counseling love Alicia for her infectious giggle and hard work ethic. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with family. Alicia is married with three children. She has a dog, a cat and two turtles. She loves to be outside, eat out, and go to the movies. 


katie jones

Cristina Jiménez 

MSEd, LMHCA, Therapist

Cristina Jiménez began with Headwaters Counseling in 2023. Cristina has a Bachelor’s of Arts in Anthropology with a minor in Religious Studies (2016) and a Master’s of Science Degree in Counseling Education (2022) from Purdue Fort Wayne. She obtained an associates license, in the state of Indiana, in 2022 as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA).


Prior to coming to Headwaters, Cristina worked with clients at a local non-profit organization that specializes in Culturally centered care using a trauma informed lens. She has also had experience working at a local Domestic Violence shelter, gaining knowledge and understanding about how abuse and trauma affects individuals. Cristina is EMDR trained and is in the process of being trained in the Gottman Couples therapy method, in order to better serve couples seeking therapy. Cristina is also fluent in Spanish, offering bilingual therapeutic services.


Today Cristina specializes in working with adolescents and adults in individual and group settings. She has a wide range of experience working with people who have experienced significant trauma and individuals struggling with life changes. As a therapist, Cristina uses a holistic approach to understand each client and tailor care based on their individual challenges. She strongly believes in assisting clients in developing resilience and a deeper understanding of themselves to empower them.

In her free time, you can find her enacting her own version of carpool karaoke, binge-watching tv shows, going on walks (or Target runs), or planning game nights with her children. She also enjoys traveling, journaling, reading a book or listening to an audiobook/podcast, and spending quality time with friends or family.

katie jones

Aaron Kimble

He/Him

MSEd, LMHCA, Therapist

Aaron (he/him) joined the staff at Headwaters Counseling in January of 2023. Aaron earned his Bachelor's Degree in Organizational Leadership, with a minor in Psychology, from Purdue University Fort Wayne in 2018. 


Aaron then continued to obtain his Master's Degree in Counselor Education in 2022. Aaron became a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate in June of 2022.

Through his educational training and application of theoretical counseling practices, Aaron strives to help clients navigate their way through anxiety, depression, past/present trauma, and other struggles. Aaron believes that each individual is the expert of their own life, but sometimes needs assistance in navigating life’s curveballs. Aaron is fully affirming and strives to assist the LGBTQ+ Community in finding love and acceptance from others, but more importantly, for themselves.


In his spare time, Aaron enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children. Additionally, he enjoys spending time with friends, board games, video games, and traveling.

tracy b. hershberger

Jade Milliman

LCSW, Therapist

Jade joined the staff at Headwaters Counseling in October 2021. Jade earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Saint Mary’s College in 2014, and her Master’s degree in Social Work from Indiana University in 2017. Jade became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 2020.


Currently, Jade provides individual therapy to adolescents and adults and also facilitates the Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Skills Group. Prior to coming to Headwaters, Jade has worked as a medical social worker at a local hospital. She has extensive experience working with those impacted by a cancer diagnosis.


When working with clients, Jade lends a listening ear and allows space for clients to express themselves without fear of judgment. She is passionate about suicide prevention and the emotional wellbeing of others.


In her personal life, Jade enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children, amateur gardening, and paint by number activities.

tracy b. hershberger

Wendi Moon

BS, Group Facilitator

Wendi joined the team at Headwaters Counseling in November 2022.  She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology in 2008 from Manchester College. 


Wendi has spent the majority of her career working as a probation officer with a caseload that focused on substance use offenders.  In addition, she has worked as a pre-trial services officer, helped at-risk youths as a home-based case manager, and facilitated classes for youths to help them develop prosocial behavior.  

In her current role at Headwaters, Wendi facilitates the Thinking Patterns group that focuses on criminal and addictive thinking.  She enjoys seeing clients become more aware of their thought processes to enable them to make better choices in the future. 


When Wendi is not working, she is chasing her three children, running with her golden retriever Gabriel, on the treadmill, or is at the ballfield.  She is an avid reader, enjoys putting together jigsaw puzzles, hiking, and classic rock

ruth a. bracht

Jessica Schacher

She/Her/Hers

MSEd., Therapist


Jessica joined Headwaters Counseling in March 2022. Jessica earned her Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy with a minor in Psychology and a Gerontology certificate in December 2016 and her Master of Science in Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in May 2022.


Jessica comes to us with a variety of different experiences and enjoys working with adults to

adolescents struggling with mood disorders, anxiety, identity issues, trauma, grief, and more. Jessica works from a client-centered approach and likes to bring in creativity whenever possible.

When not at work, Jessica enjoys spending time with her friends and family, lounging with her cats, various arts and crafts from drawing to digital art to photography and knitting, reading fiction books, watching a variety of different shows, traveling and experiencing new places and things, and spending time outdoors either hiking/biking or attempting to keep her garden alive.



Samantha Singhi

Samantha Singhi

MSeD, Clinician I

With an immigrant background (Indian-American) and a different set of perspectives, I strive to dedicate my time to create awareness on mental health, helping immigrants and their families’ overcome challenges, adapt to their new environment, and lead fulfilling lives. The dual cultural competency and professional education from Purdue University has given me an opportunity to serve the community and assist individuals from diverse ethnic, linguistic, and cultural backgrounds, using theoretical counseling practices. 

Gottman Level 3 trained, I am passionate about working with couples and families to help build a strong relationship foundation. I believe unconditional positive regard, empathy and leaning on each other creates a safer environment for each individual as we navigate this human experience together.

 

In my spare time I cook, grow my own garden, do Yoga for physical and mental fitness and work on self-development by reading and listening to podcasts. 

Maddie Strelec

Maddie Strelec

MSEd, Intern

Maddie joined the Headwaters team in July of 2023 as an intern. She graduated from Indiana State University in 2020 with her Bachelor's Degree and is currently working on her Master's Degree in Counselor Education from Purdue Fort Wayne. She expects to graduate in Spring 2024 and, after graduation, Maddie will work towards becoming and Licensed Mental Health Counselor.

As a counselor, Maddie aims to walk alongside clients, exploring each area of their lives as a means to heal and grow as individuals. She takes a holistic approach to counseling and works to understand each client as a whole person in addition to the symptoms or concerns that they may present. Maddie has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, and other life struggles. She strives to promote empathy, congruence, and self-compassion with each client.


In her spare time, Maddie enjoys being outside kayaking, hiking, and strolling her favorite Fort Wayne parks.

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