MEET OUR STAFF

I am Dr. Bernis Riley, co-founder and Clinical Director of SoulCare Counseling. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and a Certified EFT Therapist with a Doctorate in Psychology. I am also trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).

All couples have disagreements, but what happens when you and your spouse disagree? Does it go in circles as you attack and defend, or does one of you get quiet while the other gets frustrated? If so, you’ve probably tried to change this, but you can’t. You’re stuck in a negative cycle that keeps you disconnected so that you can’t communicate, resolve conflict, or discuss problems without falling into your cycle. This negative cycle is the problem.

But there is a way out of the negative cycle, and I can help you find it using Emotionally Focused Therapy. EFT helps you stop the negative cycle by creating a safe emotional connection. You can schedule a free thirty-minute consultation with me by clicking the button below. Or you can call or text 817-808-2606, or email bernis@soulcarecounselingdfw.com. Teletherapy is available for couples who have completed a couples intensive with me, which is a great option you should look into.

I am Dr. Mark Riley, co-founder and Executive Director of SoulCare Counseling. After 44 years as a pastor, I retired to serve at SoulCare Counseling as executive director, and I love taking care of all the behind-the-scenes administrative work for the practice. I also answer the phone and email.

We are designed and created by God for connection and, because of that, disconnection is the enemy. In a marriage, when emotional disconnection creeps in, it causes arguments and protective actions that spiral out of control. The only solution is repair and reconnection.  That is what our counselors do at SoulCare. Hundreds of marriages have been saved since we first opened in 2007.

If I can help you with scheduling, answering questions, or any administrative issue, you can contact me here. You can call or text 817-808-2606 or email mark@soulcarecounselingdfw.com.

I am Kelly Heard, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  I am also a Certified EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy)Therapist. I hold a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and am a member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

Do you feel misunderstood and unappreciated? Are you caught in cycle of nasty fights or silent cease fires? Are you lonely in your marriage? Do you feel anxious or depressed as a result?  Do you feel tanged up in your distress and unable to figure out how you got in and how to get out? Would you like your marriage to get better and stay that way?

I can help you unravel yourself from the negative patterns holding your happiness hostage. I have advanced training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), which prioritizes the ability to turn toward significant others in times of distress. EFT is based on the science of attachment theory and it is backed up by decades of research that prove it really works. To schedule a free thirty-minute consultation, click here. You can call or text 945-223-8188 or email kelly@soulcarecounselingdfw.com. Teletherapy is available. 

I am Stacey Sunny, Licensed Professional Counselor Associate under the supervision of Dr. Bernis Riley, LPC-S. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree from the University of Texas at Dallas and a Master's Degree of Arts in Licensed Professional Counseling degree from Dallas Baptist University. I have worked with sexual trauma and assault at the Turning Point Rape Crisis Center in Plano.  I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR).

No one wants to experience pain and suffering, yet we can learn and grow from those experiences.  In our broken world, you may be like so many people who feel broken and hopeless, who struggle to find their purpose in life.  The good news is that there is hope and there is a Savior who died for you and loves you.  Whatever issues you are struggling with, God's word assures us, and my own experiences have confirmed, that we can learn and grow and reach the full potential God has for us.​

If you carry feelings of abandonment, hurt, bitterness that poisons you, I want to help you understand yourself and extend compassion and grace towards yourself.  Positive growth and self-discovery is possible.  It would be my honor to work with you towards processing emotions and experiences to develop awareness and help you build a brighter future.  I look forward to working with you online. You can schedule a free thirty-minute consultation online by calling or texting me at 430-558-6459 or you can email me directly at stacey@soulcarecounselingdfw.com. No matter where you are in Texas, I can counsel you through teletherapy.

I am Brad Ashley, Licensed Professional Counselor Associate under the supervision of Dr. Bernis Riley, Psy.D., LPC-S. I hold a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University.  I also hold a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Texas A&M University and a Master of Business Administration degree.  I hold memberships in the American Association of Christian Counselors and Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Honor Society.  I am Gottman Level 1 Certified and a trained SYMBIS (Save Your Marriage Before It Starts) facilitator.  My specialty is working with men and couples where there is relationship trauma with a primary focus on helping men grow in sexual integrity, deal with shame, and overcome anxiety and depression. 

Is this you? You desire to be a man of integrity but just can’t seem to find freedom from compulsive sexual behaviors. Maybe your marriage is in crisis mode due to the consequences of your behavior.  You’ve tried to work through it yourself and mend the damage, but you’re stuck. There are reasons why you’re stuck, and it’s not just an issue of lust. The key is to find the “why” behind your unhealthy coping mechanisms and deal with the issues that have led you to this point. Ultimately the relationship goal is to develop empathy, learn how to guard your wife’s heart, and rebuild the trust that has been lost. Healing, freedom, and redemption are possible; it won’t be an easy journey but it’s a journey that is well worth it. You can discover who God says you are and become the man, husband, and father you were designed to be.

Proverbs 23:7 says, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” Two strong forces make you the man you are: your thoughts and your emotions. To address these two forces, in a safe, non-judgmental atmosphere of the counseling room, we will use two proven therapeutic strategies: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Emotionally Focused Therapy. CBT realigns erroneous beliefs with correct beliefs. EFT addresses the primary emotions that trigger erroneous beliefs and unhealthy coping strategies that sabotage intimacy. When appropriate we will integrate your marriage and family into the treatment plan. I am ready to help you find the healing and wholeness you desire. To schedule a free thirty-minute consultation, call or text (817) 808-2606, or email brad@soulcarecounselingdfw.com. I see clients either online or in my office in Allen.

I am Jonathan Atwell, life coach.  I have completed my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA and am awaiting my provisional licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor - Associate.  I also hold a Master of Divinity degree in Biblical Languages from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Ft. Worth, TX and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Ministry from Oklahoma Baptist University, Shawnee, OK.  I’m a member of the American Counseling Association.  My experience as a pastor for over 20 years has given me a deep understanding of the challenges people face, especially with anxiety, depression, compulsive behaviors, and relationship issues. 

You may feel stuck in a cycle of anxiety, sadness, or behaviors that seem impossible to change.  Maybe you’ve tried leaning on your faith, only to find that your struggles persist.  It’s exhausting to feel like you’re constantly battling the same challenges, and it’s heartbreaking to wonder if relief will ever come.  You’ve been struggling in silence, but I want you to know that I see you.  With my pastoral background, I understand the heaviness you feel and the unique spiritual struggles you face.  You are not alone in this. 

In our sessions, we’ll work together to understand your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in a way that makes sense empowers you.  Using highly effective Emotionally Focused Therapy, I will provide a safe, supportive, non-judgmental space where you can uncover what it is that has you stuck, and we’ll get you unstuck so that you can move forward to emotional freedom and renewed joy.  Take the first step today by scheduling a free thirty-minute consultation.  Call or text 817-808-2606, or email me at jonathan@soulcarecounselingdfw.com.  Or just click here. Let’s walk this journey together.

I am Ope Akinremi, Graduate Student Intern under the supervision of Dr. Bernis Riley, Psy.D., LPC-S.  I am finishing my Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Abilene Christian University.  With 15 years in healthcare, I bring clinical expertise, active listening, and a compassionate approach to therapy.  My goal is to create a safe, empathetic, and supportive therapeutic space where couples, individuals, and families can experience healing, growth, and transformation.

Are you stuck in a negative cycle of conflict with your spouse, fighting that same old fight over and over?  You love each other, but you feel disconnected and helpless to get back to the closeness that you once had. Or maybe you’re stuck in a negative cycle of depression or anxiety that has you feeling trapped in your own body.  You’d love to feel like your old self again, but you don’t know how to get there.  Or you’re like so many people who have a trauma in their past that they have buried deep, but that past trauma is always present, impacting your relationships, your work, your state of mind. 

It's possible to break free from the emotional and relational dilemma you’re in. The therapy we use at SoulCare Counseling, Emotionally Focused Therapy, has helped countless people just like you.  92% of couples who complete EFT report significant change.  Individuals with depression, anxiety, and trauma also find EFT to be an effective treatment.    To schedule a free thirty-minute consultation with me, call or text me at (972) 677-8001, or email ope@soulcarecounselingdfw.com.  Teletherapy is also available.