The Center for Counseling and Behavioral Health at The Potter’s House
The Center for Counseling and Behavioral Health provides comprehensive mental health
services via counseling and life coaching. Our staff comprises highly trained professionals
certified and licensed through nationally recognized organizations in compliance with all
regulatory requirements. With a focus on spiritual, intellectual, social, and physical well-being,
we aim to assist individuals and families in overcoming mental health issues and challenging life
situations. Our services will equip you with effective tools to manage crises, depression, anxiety,
panic, loss, and other detrimental thoughts and behaviors. Under the guidance of Bishop T.D.
Jakes, our counselors integrate timeless biblical truths with evidence-based clinical procedures.
When we collaborate with clients to improve their quality of life, we cultivate a sacred space for
authentic expression and provide strategies for sustainable solutions. Our mission is to walk
with you as you navigate your journey to wholeness.
We currently offer telehealth therapy and life coaching via Zoom, a HIPAA-compliant platform.
Hours:
Monday – Friday
9 a.m. – 9 p.m. CT
Contact:
CounselingInformation@TDJakes.org
(214) 333-6483
“The Potter longs to put you back together again.” – Jeremiah 18:3-4
Meet The Team
“The Potter longs to put you back together again.” – Jeremiah 18:3-4
Dr. Natasha Gresham, PhD, LPC
Director
Dr. Natasha Gresham serves as director of the Center for Counseling and Behavioral Health at The Potter’s House. With her experience as an inspirational speaker, advisor, and life coach, she mentors the masses through various platforms such as television, social media, consultations, and conferences.
Throughout her career spanning over 20 years, Gresham’s passion and ability to connect to others have paved the way for her to collaborate with a diverse range of clients, including professional athletes, politicians, government agencies, faith-based organizations, and prestigious universities. Her commitment to integrity and creating a judgment-free atmosphere has been instrumental in maintaining her reputation and success.
To ensure she remains at the forefront of her field, Gresham has earned multiple degrees and various local, state, and national licensures and certifications. Her dedication to continuous development allows her to provide cutting-edge expertise.
Recognized for her exceptional contributions, she was named the Presidential Volunteer of the Year in 2019, a recognition she received at the United Nations along with an official pin of honor for her valuable work in mental health.
Gresham considers herself a lifelong learner, constantly drawing inspiration from everyday experiences to shed light on the power of inner healing, hope, and new beginnings. While her career is fulfilling, her greatest blessings are her husband and children. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading, and embarking on new adventures.
Gwendolyn Leslie
Office Manager
Gwendolyn Leslie not only manages departmental operations, but she consistently delivers an exceptional experience through her administrative support and compassionate client engagement.With an undergraduate degree in communications, a minor in pastoral care and counseling, and graduate coursework in theology, Leslie brings a profound understanding and unique perspective to her work. With over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, she has devoted her career to making a positive impact through faith-based initiatives and community outreach. Her extensive expertise and unwavering commitment to serving others make her an invaluable asset to the team.
Kiana Stewart
Administrator
With an impressive academic background and a passion for protocol, Kiana Stewart currently assists with administration for The Potter’s House Center for Counseling and Behavior Health.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Dillard University, where she actively served on various boards for student-led organizations and projects. Noteworthy among these were her contributions to the Mock Trial team, President’s Lecture Series, and the Student Activities Board, which aimed to enhance student engagement on campus and within the surrounding communities.
Continuing her educational journey, Stewart also earned her Doctor of Jurisprudence from Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law. During her time in law school, she secured an internship with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission where she skillfully drafted opinions for projects and cases related to federal anti-discrimination laws. Demonstrating her commitment and capabilities, she was subsequently hired as an executive intern for her undergraduate mentor’s virtual business-law firm.
This professional experience combined with her dedication, versatility, and exceptional abilities, allow Stewart to contribute to the organization’s healing mission in various domains.
Kendale Brown, MA, MBA, LPC, LCDC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Kendale Brown is trained as a professional counselor (LPC), a chemical dependency counselor (LCDC), an eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapist, and a mental health first aid instructor. In addition, she has completed marriage and family therapy coursework and earned her Master of Arts in counseling from Dallas Baptist University. She has also earned her MBA and is a certified life coach and educator.
Brown’s expertise encompasses a wide range of issues including trauma, anger, addiction, anxiety, abuse, phase of life, self-esteem, sexuality, and couples/family conflict. Her diverse background and cross-cultural experience further enhance her ability to connect with clientele, provide support, and help individuals overcome addiction and regain control over their lives.
Brown actively engages with the community and is a sought-after speaker for mental health awareness events and organizations. She demonstrates a great passion for the field of mental health, prioritizing neurodiversity in her work. She is dedicated to helping individuals with ADHD navigate their challenges and ensure they have the necessary support and resources.
Draper Buchanan, M.Ed, LPC‑S
Licensed Professional Counselor
Draper A. Buchanan is a licensed professional counselor with supervisor designation and prior licensure in Arkansas, Kansas, and Missouri. He holds a Bachelor of Science in health education and a Master of Education in counselor education from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.With over 14 years of experience, he has positively impacted people of all ages through his holistic and effective counseling services.
Buchanan has received extensive training in trauma and abuse, co-occurring disorders, mindfulness, crisis intervention/stabilization, and verbal de-escalation. Throughout his career, he has worked in various treatment settings, assisting individuals from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Recently, he provided intensive counseling services to frontline workers and those affected by the challenges of COVID-19.
Areas of focus include attention deficit, anger management, trauma, parent-child relational issues, mood dysregulation, conflict resolution, and LGBTQIA+ support. Drawing from a multidisciplinary approach, Draper’s theoretical orientation comprises person-centered therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, solution-focused brief therapy, and reality therapy. In addition, he seamlessly incorporates his behavioral health training and spiritual background into his therapy sessions. Whether working with an individual, a couple, or a group, he continually strives for client-centered and integrated clinical approaches to ensure the highest quality of care.
Originally from Arkansas, Buchanan was exposed to Texas at an early age. Today, he proudly claims 22 nephews and nieces, plus one special godson!
Shari N. Davis, MA, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Shari Davis is a licensed professional counselor with a master life coach certification. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the City University of New York And her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Regent University.
Davis’ passion for counseling is fueled by her genuine desire to see people leading fulfilled lives. She’s developed unique expertise by blending her higher education with over 20 years of human capital management experience. Her belief in the intersection of mental health, human capital management, and behavior plays a critical role in how she helps influence her clients’
psychological well-being. Her counseling style focuses on encouragement, education, and empowerment to help them find practical solutions for life’s challenges. Serving at the Potter’s House Center of Counseling and Behavioral Health has also provided her with valuable experience in trauma, PTSD, anxiety, grief, life transitions, anger management, and relationship and family conflicts.She believes building trust and establishing rapport are paramount to a successful client-counselor relationship. So, Davis provides a therapeutic space where her clients can be open and transparent without fear of judgment. In addition to her counseling responsibilities, she is also an ordained and active elder in The Potter’s House Alliance of Ministers and Elders.
Elza Eapen, MS, NCC, LPC‑A
Licensed Professional Counselor
Elza Eapen is a licensed professional counselor associate with a national certified counselor certification. Fluent in English and Malayalam, she possesses a wealth of experience providing counseling and life coaching services to diverse client groups and has served in various settings including hospitals and higher education institutions.
Eapen’s expertise extends to a range of issues including trauma, grief, immigration issues, self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. With a collaborative approach, she helps her clientele identify and address the stressors that hinder their quality of life. By fostering a trusting and therapeutic relationship, she creates a safe and nurturing space where clients can learn, heal, grow, and achieve balance in their lives.
Deborah Julmus, MS, LMFT
Licensed Professional Counselor
Deborah Julmus is a licensed marriage and family therapist with an extensive background of over 17 years in social services.
Specializing in the treatment of anxiety, depression, and grief, she takes a systemic approach in her role. She works diligently with individuals, couples, and families to foster healthy relationships and improve their mental well-being. Julmus delves into the webs of generational ties and guides her clients in identifying and shedding toxic behavior patterns, expertly assisting them in rewriting their life stories. She takes immense joy in integrating psychological interventions with the Word of God. She actively participates in women’s conferences, retreats, workshops, and overseas missions, where she imparts her wisdom on managing mental health using biblical principles.
Passionate about empowering individuals to find wholeness and healing, Julmus also dedicates her time as a volunteer, providing grief support to children who have lost loved ones. She serves a diverse clientele and is fluent in English and Spanish. Originally from Puerto Rico and raised in South Florida, she proudly calls Dallas, Texas, her home. Alongside her loving spouse of 12 years and their cherished daughter, Julmus continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those she serves.
Zinssou Paul Toviessi, MA, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Zinssou Paul Toviessi is a compassionate mental health therapist dedicated to helping people overcome personal challenges and achieve optimal well-being. With a Master of Arts in professional counseling, he brings extensive experience and expertise to his practice.
Toviessi creates a supportive, nonjudgmental space for clients to explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Specializing in diverse areas including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and relationships, he understands the importance of holistic well-being and the mind-body connection.
By collaborating with clients, Toviessi explores different aspects of their lives, including lifestyle choices, self-care practices, and interpersonal dynamics, in order to foster balance and fulfillment. His empathetic nature establishes a foundation of trust within the therapeutic relationship, facilitating open expression and progress toward clients’ goals.
Alexandria Turner, MS, LPC‑A
Licensed Professional Counselor
Alexandria Turner holds a Master of Science in clinical mental health counseling, specializing in supporting teens and adults through depression, anxiety, childhood trauma, and relationship issues. With a compassionate and client-centered approach, she tailors her treatment plans to address the unique needs of each individual.
Turner is proficient in various therapeutic modalities, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and mindfulness-based techniques. She seamlessly blends these approaches to help her clientele gain valuable insight into their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. By empowering each person to develop effective coping strategies, Turner skillfully guides them toward positive and transformative life changes.
Lawanda Whitehorn, MS, M.Ed, NCC, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Lawanda Whitehorn is a licensed professional counselor with a Master of Science in counseling and psychology from Troy University. Plus, with over 17 years of dedicated experience, a graduate degree in education, and her military service record, she is committed to helping individuals discover their true potential and become the best versions of themselves!
Whitehorn specializes in helping clients navigate various challenges such as trauma, marriage and family issues, anxiety, and the everyday stresses of life. She firmly believes that everyone deserves a safe and non-judgmental space to process and share their thoughts and emotions openly. As a God-fearing professional, she is committed to providing a nurturing environment for healing and growth.