About Us

Laura Johnson, LPC, NCC

Laura Johnson is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC). She previously worked for Meier Clinic in Fairfax as the lead therapist for their Day Program. 

She designed and was responsible for many of the group therapy programs at Meier Clinic.  These therapy groups included Communication Skills, Cognitive Restructuring, Spiritual Development, Relapse Prevention, Self-Expression and Trauma Shame issues.  As the lead therapist, Mrs. Johnson worked with clients having many different needs and conditions, and she integrates many of the above techniques in her individual counseling.

Specialty Training and Experience: Laura has experience and specializes in working with individuals with issues of co-dependency, depression, anxiety, sexual issues, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anger issues, eating disorders, women's issues and marital issues. 
She has led and facilitated many groups, including Anger Workshop, Making Peace with Your Past, and Co-Dependency No More.  She is also licensed as a School Counselor in Virginia, and has many years experience with children.  She is knowledgeable about issues related to Attention Deficit Disorder, Sexual Abuse and Anti-Social Behavior.

Laura earned a Master’ degree in Human Services Counseling and a post-masters Certificate of Advanced Counseling Studies from Regent University.

Have you been putting a band-aid on your problems? Laura can help you get to the core issues that are motivating your behavior. Many negative problem areas in your life may be masking feelings that need to be identified. Laura knows with experience that within a trusting, compassionate relationship God uses sound clinical intervention to change lives.

Mrs. Johnson is a member in good standing with the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) and the American Counseling Association (ACA).  She is a network provider for New Life Ministries and other Christian associations. 

Robert Straub, M.A., M.ED., LPC

Premarital and Marital Counseling, Depressive Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Sexual Addictions Anger Issues, Developmental Disabilities and Spiritual Issues.

Education:  Robert Staub completed a Master of Arts in Counseling, and holds a Master of Education in Special Education from George Mason University.

Specialty Training and Experience:  Robert Straub worked with the Fairfax County Community Mental Health Services for 24 years.  In addition, he worked with Meier Clinic as a full time staff member seeing outpatient clients.  Mr. Straub specializes in addiction/recovery related to sexual issues.  He counsels individuals, groups and couples in a wide range of issues, with a special emphasis on men and couples torn apart by sexual impurity.

Special Interests:  Robert Straub's areas of professional interest include premarital and marital counseling, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, sexual addictions (e.g., addiction to pornography), developmental disabilities, spiritual issues and anger issues.

Robert Straub is a member in good standing with the American Association of Christian Counselors, the American Counseling Association, and the Virginia Counseling Association.

 J. Paul Marks, D. Min.

Dr. Marks is trained in counseling, theology and psychology. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 1994 followed by two Master degrees in Religion and Christian Theology in 1998. He also completed his Doctor of Ministry degree in Pastoral Counseling in 2007. Presently, Dr. Marks is pursuing state licensure.
Clinical Areas: Dr. Marks worked as an individual, premarital and marital counselor in a local church for the last ten plus years. His areas of specialty are premarital training, remarriage, step family conflicts as well as addiction and grief counseling. One unique area of specialty that he is developing is working with couples in full-time ministry and with pastors in transition.

Therapy Approach: Dr. Marks views therapy largely from a cognitive-behavioral approach.

This means that he sees a person’s actions tied to their thoughts/beliefs. He approaches counseling with two basic assumptions. These are that all people function on their beliefs and that much of life is tied to patterns of relationship. His counseling takes into account the whole person which includes the physical, relational and spiritual aspects. The therapy process is viewed as a combined effort between the counselor and the client. Change is accomplished through actively taking steps in one’s life. Spiritually, Dr. Marks views the role of God in the counseling process as essential. For this reason he incorporates spiritual practices and prayer as needed.

Professional Associations: Dr. Marks is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. He is AACC Certified in Sexual Addictions Counseling, Certified in Prepare/Enrich a pre-marital program, and in Divorce Busting.

Beth B. Ulrich, MSW, ACSW, LCSW

Beth Ulrich joined the practice of Christian Counseling Services in October 2008 with over thirty years experience in outpatient as well as inpatient settings. She is currently the Program Manager for the Amherst and Appomattox Counseling Centers of the Central Virginia Community Services Board where she works with seriously and chronically mentally ill individuals.

Mrs. Ulrich received her Bachelors and Masters Degree in Social Work from Florida State University and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Virginia. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and the Academy of Certified Social Workers in addition to the North American Association of Christian Social Workers.

Areas of expertise include individual, marital/family and group therapy addressing problems including depressive and anxiety disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders as well as issues related to Adult Children of Alcoholics, Grief and Divorce Recovery, Victims of Trauma in addition to women’s issues. A variety of clinical theories and techniques are utilized including Systems Theory, Developmental Theory, with reflection on Psycho-Social History and implementing Cognitive and Behavioral techniques, Assertiveness Training and Motivational Interviewing. Focus is primarily on the here and now with experiential learning related to using the therapeutic relationship to begin to assist individuals to make needed changes. In addition References to Scripture and the use of Prayer in sessions is a significant focus.

Mrs. Ulrich is available for appointments at CCS on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

W. Stephen Kelly, PhD, LPC, M.Ed., LMFT, NCC, NCSC

Stephen is a licensed marriage and family therapist with 10 years of private practice experience. He has a PhD in Professional Counseling from Liberty where he serves as an Adjunct Professor in the center for counseling and family studies. As a retired military officer, Stephen is familiar with the unique stressors placed on military families. Stephen works with children ages 10 and older as well as adolescents, singles, couples, and families.

Stephen is an EMDR (Eye Movement and Desensitization Reprocessing) therapist. EMDR is an effective technique utilized with those who have experienced or are experiencing ongoing trauma as a result of combat, rape, assault, child abuse, near death experiences, complicated grief and loss, and anxiety disorders.

Stephen is a clinical member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, and a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors, Christian Association for Psychological Studies, National Board of Certified Counselors, and American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, and International and Critical Incident Stress Foundation.

Stephen’s areas of expertise include post traumatic stress and trauma, adolescents, depression, anxiety, and marriage and family counseling.

John Turner

John Turner is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker whose previous work experiences include a juvenile court setting; a family service agency; an inpatient children’s treatment center; a mental health clinic; and an adolescent home for runaways. For the past few years John has counseled in a private practice setting. Early in his career, while employed as a counselor in a juvenile court setting, John realized the value of family therapy and sought training with some of the early family therapy pioneers whose theories and therapeutic models form the basis of much of the current family therapy programs in the U.S. John has had training with two prominent structural family therapy trainers and has used this training to assist many families and couples with a variety of presenting problems.

In addition to family and marital therapy, John enjoys working with clients one-on-one, assisting them in unraveling previous conditioning and traumas so as to free them to establish better relationships with family and friends. John believes that often clients seek counseling because they have hit an impasse they cannot handle themselves. Thus it becomes the therapist’s job to not only explore the problem with the client and teach the client how to solve the problem, but to also equip the client with the skills so they can handle future problems on their own.

In addition to his counseling background and experience, John has been married for 38 years, raised a family, and owned and operated a variety of businesses. Thus he has a deep understanding of many of the challenges that individuals experience as they cope with life. John believes many therapists have their hands tied when they work in counseling settings where spiritual issues cannot be discussed at length. At Christian Counseling Services, clients can talk at length about any and all spiritual matters and know that the therapist will be honest and open with them, and will encourage them to explore these issues to the fullest extent. Clients often comment that John is very easy to talk with and helpful in pinpointing what the root of their problem is. Lastly, John has a good sense of humor and that makes the difficult part of therapy much more bearable.

Shannon Kinzie, Intern

Education: Shannon Kinzie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Liberty University and is currently completing a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling at Liberty University. Shannon hopes to pursue licensure as an LPC after obtaining her degree.

Specialty Training and Experience: Shannon has experience in working with individuals dealing with eating disorders, depression, anxiety, self-injury, relational conflict, suicidal thoughts, self-esteem issues, grief, and life transitions. She has been certified in Mental Health First Aid and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training.

Special Interests: Shannon Kinzie’s areas of professional interest include self-injury, suicide, depression, anxiety, addictions, attachment issues, trauma, and grief.

Charis Robinson

Education: Charis received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Liberty University. She is currently completing her Master of Arts in Professional Counseling, also from Liberty University.

Special Interests: Charis’s area of interests include anxiety disorders, stress, depression, individuals going through the grieving process, adolescents and pre-teens dealing with self-esteem, and body-image issues, and individuals with relational conflicts.

Experience: Charis has worked with children and teens, individuals dealing with life transitions, developmental issues, coping skills and couples with relational issues.

Hobbies: Charis enjoys reading, cooking, decorating her apartment, writing, getting organized, and traveling. After her degree in Professional Counseling is completed, Charis hopes to further her studies with a doctoral degree in the area of Counseling or Psychology.