Counselors

James S. "Steve" Clay

My name is James S. (Steve) Clay, and I am the owner and counselor at North Dallas Christian Counseling. Several years ago, after 10 years in secular vocation, the Lord called me to follow Him with a whole new direction in life. Moving my family to Dallas in 1987, I began to prepare for a ministry in biblical counseling. Since then I have been blessed to offer Christian counseling to people in the North Dallas area for more than 20 years.

The preparation I received included training in biblical counseling from Dallas Theological Seminary, which prepared me for licensure in the state of Texas. While earning that degree, I was employed at Prestonwood Baptist Church, where I served in a variety of roles, most notably as Director of Facility Services and Director of Energy Management and Engineering, leading a team of over 30 employees. Through that experience I gained a tremendous appreciation for the particular struggles of those inside and outside the church environment, as well as an understanding of the complexities of the human experience in balancing work and family priorities. I have served as a counselor at three counseling agencies prior to starting North Dallas Christian Counseling.

The Lord has given me a passion for His Word and a love for sharing its truth with others. The Bible, which I take as authoritative and sufficient, contains the truth that guides the counsel I give to others. It alone provides the anchor for the soul, the undeniable and unshakeable truth that our drifting culture so desperately needs.

As a Christian counselor, my desire for clients is that they would find their hope and joy in Christ and that they might learn to walk in His ways by His Spirit in accordance with His grace. I seek to represent our Lord in ways that gain clients' trust by building a relationship with them in which they are understood and cared for. My counseling approach is to engage clients in a manner that leads them toward biblical clarity and hope in the midst of their struggles, that they might see and embrace the reality that the Lord has brought them to this current trial in order to bring them through it, for their good and His glory.

I provide care for adults (age 18 and above) in the areas of premarital, marital, suffering, grief, relationships, depression, addictions, abuse, anger, anxiety and stress, sexual struggles, identity issues, as well as all other spiritual issues.

I have been married to Sheila Clay for over 39 years. My wife and I have four grown children, three of whom are married, and we have four grandchildren. I am a covenant member of Citizens Church in Plano, where I, along with my wife, Sheila, serve as deacons of care, training caring people to care for one another. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (TX Lic #19522, LPC-S). I am a member of the Association of Biblical Counselors, the Biblical Counseling Coalition, and the Association for Mental Health Professionals.

It would be an honor and great blessing for me to work with you in your particular struggle, being God’s ambassador of grace in the midst of your storm.

 

 

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Kailee Lockette

Hello! My name is Kailee Lockette and I’d like to take a minute to briefly introduce myself. I received my masters degree in education for Professional School Counseling from Liberty University and continued my education at Dallas Baptist University in order to become a licensed professional counselor. The population I work with is children, teens, women and families. I completed my internship at North Texas Christian Counseling in 2020 under the supervision of Lisa Stephenson LPC-S. I have experience working with women of all ages suffering with anxiety and depression as a result of many different relational, emotional, spiritual, physical and cognitive problems. I also have experience collaborating with many types of families to meet the needs of children and teens with similar struggles. I love utilizing many mediums (play, art, music, books, writing) to connect with and draw out the thoughts, emotions and behaviors of those who are less able to process verbally.

Prior to working in private practice, I worked for 8 years in education as an elementary teacher and school counselor. The experience I gained during that time consisted of working alongside students with many types of special education needs, attention and focus deficits, autism and social problems, anxiety/stress, trauma, and other behavioral concerns that affect holistic wellbeing. I love working with families to help each child and teenager experience awareness and freedom in all areas of life. The decision to transition from school counseling to professional counseling came when I realized that I could only help children and families to a certain extent without being able to address their need for a savior and the redeeming love only he can provide.

The decision to transition from school counseling to professional counseling came when I realized that I could only help children and families to a certain extent without being able to address their need for a savior and the redeeming love only he can provide. I have been a member of many diverse churches throughout Texas where I have served in various discipleship programs, as well as serving in ministries aimed at equipping and leading women, teens and children.

I have been a member of many diverse churches throughout Texas where I have served in various discipleship programs, as well as serving in ministries aimed at equipping and leading women, teens and children. My husband and I live in Carrollton Texas and are members of the Ridge Church where he serves as an elder. I serve as a teacher in the children’s ministry and on the women’s leadership team as well. We have been married since 2016 and have 2 sons and 1 daughter.

As a believer and biblical counselor, I view humans through a biblical lens, knowing I cannot "fix" or rid them of their pain and problems. I am passionate and excited about helping people identify and address the needs and desires of the heart in order to begin producing healthy fruit that is rooted in Christ amidst the heat and problems of our broken world. - Jeremiah 17:7-9

 

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Lindsey Smitham

My name is Lindsey Smitham and I am excited to be a part of the North Dallas Christian Counseling team as a Practicum student!

I received my B.A. in Sociology from Texas A&M University, and I am in the process of obtaining my masters in Professional Counseling from Amberton University where I will graduate in May 2024. I am honored to be under the supervision and mentorship of James (Steve) Clay (TX Lic #19522, LPC-S) to pursue my Texas licensure as a professional counselor.

Prior to being a practicum student, I was a foster care case manager advocating for foster children and parents. I gained experience working alongside children and adolescents with trauma, abuse, neglect, anxiety, stress, special needs, and behavioral and social concerns. The Lord used these experiences to lead me into a ministry of Biblical counseling. I desire to counsel each individual and couple genuinely, compassionately, and consistently providing Biblical truth that the Lord is our refuge and strength in our desperate times of trouble (Psalm 18:2).

I have been married to my incredible Police Officer husband, Wilson, since 2019 and have twin sons, Duke and Beau, that are the joy of our lives. We live in Richardson, Texas, and are active members of Trinity Bible Church of Dallas.