Meet the New Hope Team
The incredible team at New Hope is made up of individuals from various walks of life, all come together with a mission to help those most in need in our beautiful Texas Hill Country. From the therapists to the director to the office staff, each of us plays a vital role in encouraging positive mental health and emotional growth in our community.
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WANDA SUTTON, LCSW
Wanda Sutton has been a practicing social worker for over 25 years, and is retired from the Kerrville State Hospital before joining the New Hope team.
She specializes in women's issues, anxiety disorders, PTSD for men and women, grief counseling, and counseling concerning the anxieties of aging. Wanda provides counseling, assessments, and evaluations for a wide variety of issues for individuals, couples, and families. |
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LINDA WILBOURN, LPC
Linda Wilbourn specializes in working with children ages 5 to 12, and has experience with individuals of all ages as well.
She is skilled with using play and art therapies with her clients to process and express thoughts, feelings, and memories. Linda is trained in Play Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). |
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CODY GRENWELGE, LCDC
& BIPP FACILITATOR Cody Grenwelge's area of expertise is primarily with those struggling with substance abuse and behavioral addictions.
He is a Texas Certified Anger Resolution Therapist (CART), and a Certified Trainer with the National Fatherhood Initiative. Beginning in 2020, Cody became an accredited facilitator of New Hope's Batterer's Intervention and Prevention Program, a group for men charged with domestic violence offenses. The group aims to teach the men accountability and responsibility based on their actions, and developing a supportive group presence to help the individuals learn from their behavior. Cody also facilitates the local Celebrate Recovery group from the First Baptist Church. |
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YOLANDA MELENDEZ, LPC-INTERN
Yolanda Melendez is a Licensed Professional Counselor Intern, supervised by Pamela Hoch, LPC-Supervisor. She is a bilingual counselor serving the area's Hispanic population. In addition, Yolanda is an LVN with a background in Education and Nursing, and a specialty of pediatric nursing.
Yolanda is a Developmental Specialist II (DSII), and has a great passion for developing and managing health education programs for children and families; formulating therapy plans with parents. Her expertise and passions expand on to working with developmentally delayed children, including autistic and the elderly and disabled populations. Yolanda is also Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Certified, 2019. Yolanda provides counseling sessions at New Hope on Mondays, and works the rest of the week with the Hope 4 Health Collaborative, providing counseling to the residents of Kerrville's Doyle Neighborhood. |
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PJ PRATHER, LCSW
PJ is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, with a special heart for Provides counseling, assessments, and evaluations for a wide variety of issues with individuals, older teens and young adults, couples and families of all shapes and sizes
She is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), and also integrates multiple therapeutic modalities into her sessions, including a specialty training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). PJ has expertise in crisis intervention, PTSD, suicide prevention, and dementia. Her passions include working with elderly and disabled populations, grief and loss, perinatal issues, coping with medical issues and traumas, post traumatic concerns, and behavioral concerns. |
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PHYLLIS WELLS, LPC
Phyllis Wells is a Licensed Professional Counselor, and has been counseling since 2001 in public schools and in non=profit settings. She is a Certified Theraplay Practitioner and incorporates Theraplay in family therapy for enhancing attachment, self-esteem, and trust. This has been helpful for children who are withdrawn, depressed, overactive, aggressive, and on the autism spectrum, as well as those who may be afraid of relating because of adoption, losses, or trauma.
Additionally, Phyllis is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and is a Certified Sandtray Therapist. She earned the Registered Play Therapist designation in 2019. Her experience is with children as young as 2, adolescents, adults, and families working on issues relating to attachment, adoption, foster care, trauma, grief, blending families, and parenting. Phyllis believes in not just treating symptoms, but in connecting with clients to help them navigate challenges with new tools and hope. After many years living in Houston, she is now enjoying her Hill Country home near her beloved grandchildren. |
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MARY BELL, RN, LMSW-INTERN
Mary Bell is a Licensed Clinicial Social Worker Intern, Supervised by Marguerite Scott, LCSW-S. She is a bilingual therapist, serving the clients New Hope shares with the Raphael Free Clinic.
She believes all clients have the capacity to heal. She is passionate about helping people overcome their obstacles and find happiness, peace, and strength. Knowing that the mind, body, and spirit are all connected, Mary utilizes a holistic approach to healing that can include diet, exercise, spiritual meditation, and nature in addition to talk therapy. Mary works with adults and teens, and her areas of knowledge span trauma, secondary trauma as experienced by front line workers, addiction, low self-esteem, and health-related anxiety and depression. |
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Freddy Cervantez III, MS,
LPC-Intern, LCDC Intern Freddy is the newest member to the New Hope team, and is a Licensed Professional Counselor Intern, as well a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor Intern. He is a Bilingual Counselor serving the area's Hispanic population.
He is a Certified Anger Resolution Therapist (CART). Freddy has years of experience with individuals under the influence of substance addiction, with pregnant women dealing with substance withdrawal, and with individuals of all ages regarding a variety of issues. |
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BRENDA FUDGE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Brenda has a business and education background with degrees from OSU and SFA, with an inspiring passion for helping others. She and her husband David of 35+ years are blessed with three adult children - and one energetic grandchild.
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KEARA NEATHERY, OPERATIONS MANAGER
Keara has a Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Anthropology for the University of Texas at San Antonio. Her greatest passions are writing and creative art, learning as many new skills as she can, camping and hiking, and apparently office organization.
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KATHY BEAVER, ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Kathy has a Bachelor of Arts in Education. She and her husband of 43 years have two adult children and two grandchildren. She has a passion handmade crafts and for theatre, and is very active with the local theatrical community.
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SARA MACHICEK, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Sara is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from San Antonio College. Working with New Hope is giving her a leg up in the background workings of mental health services. Sara is one of the college leaders at First Baptist Church.
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