We are a Christian 501(c)3 non-profit ministry focused on helping people build or rebuild strong relationships with God and each other.
Our Vision is to be active agents of
God’s grace in relationships
Our Mission is to equip and empower individuals, couples,
and families to have thriving relationships with God and
others
Click here to read
about "What We Believe…"
Click here to read about "What We Value..."
Our Ministry Team:
Dr. John and Terri VanderKaay, ministry leaders
Dr. John has more than twenty five years experience in ministry; Fifteen years in military chaplaincy, in both Active Duty and Reserves, including combat tour of duty in Iraq; Selected as Senior Protestant Chaplain twice as a Captain; Featured in several newspapers, US Air Force website and Department of Defense’s Real Warriors program for work in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Suicide Intervention. He holds a Masters of Arts in Theological Studies, a Masters of Divinity, specializing in Pastoral Counseling, and a Doctor of Ministry in Marriage and Family Counseling. John & Terri have been married 25+ years and have five children.
A word from Dr. John...
"My ideal client is one that wants to improve their relationship and is willing to take personal responsibility for their part in making it happen, even if they don't know exactly what that looks like. They don't come in looking for me to 'fix' their spouse, but come in seeking help from a wise partner to help improve themselves and their relationship. The ideal client has a moral base through faith in a personal relationship with God to draw on when facing difficult times.
I have served in combat as a military chaplain and understand the
cost of war. Although it is usually a misspelling, many couples
have come to believe that marital and martial are the same thing.
But it's not supposed to be that way. Couples aren't supposed to be
enemies in war. I bring my training and experience to bear to help
couples win in marriage.
I understand the struggles of relationships, especially marriage. We are supposed to learn how to be married well by watching Dad and Mom demonstrate it to us as we grow up. If they didn't do a good job, where would you learn how to have a great marriage? That's where I come in. I help give tools & hope to help couples build incredible relationships."
Check Dr. John out on Psychology Today...
LaShekia Scott, Marriage & Family Counselor & Coach
LaShekia Scott is a Christian Marriage & Family Counselor & coach. LaShekia is pursuing LMFT-A licensure in Texas under the supervision of Dr. John VanderKaay at the Center of Mighty Marriages and Families at 702 North Thompson St, Conroe, TX 77301. LaShekia’s educational background includes a MA in Human Services: Marriage & Family Counseling at Liberty University. LaShekia has 4 ½ years of training and experience in counseling with individuals, children/teens and their families, groups, and couples. Those experiences with more than 12 years working with children (age 7 and older), groups, and families through a non-profit organization and high school as a Dean’s Assistant, Nursery Director, Administrative Assistant and Communications Officer. Her areas of interests are depression, eating disorders, anxiety, infidelity, trauma, relationship conflicts, domestic violence, and mild to severe behavioral problems.
LaShekia’s counseling approach is to provide you, the client-centered, and family-centered with a secure, nonjudgmental, and warm ambiance so that you could direct our counseling session centered on your important needs and she utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with family, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused CBT and Emotionally Focused Therapy. She was born in Huntsville, Texas and resides near Cypress. LaShekia loves to serve children, neighbors and community as an ordained minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. LaShekia is married to a military veteran with children.
She is continuing her education at Northcentral University in Post MA certification in Marriage & Family Therapy. LaShekia loves to serve children/adolescents struggling with mental disorders and or behavioral problems, teenage family relationship conflicts, and couple’s distress. She is active in her community as an ordained minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. LaShekia is married to a military veteran with children. LaShekia believes everyone needs help and they should have a safe haven and place to heal through life difficulties.
Do you need help or counseling? Are you looking for a Pastoral Coach for your life, family, or congregation needs? LaShekia is here to help you just as you are, but she will not leave you that way?
Pitagoras Miranda,
Marriage & Family Counselor & Coach
Pitagoras Ali Miranda is a Marriage and Family therapist and an ordained minister. He holds a bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies with a focus in Pastoral Ministries and Sociology. He also holds a Master’s degree specialized in Marriage and Family Therapy. Pitagoras has practiced for over five years at one of New York City’s largest Nonprofit mental health clinics. He is a husband and father to three young adults and two grade school children. Pitagoras is Marine Corps Veteran. He has a burden for Veterans, their families and those in the public service professions.
Pitagoras currently calls Houston his home, however his nomadic family history has led him to live in 10 major Cities and four different countries. Pitagoras is bilingual and has a multicultural diverse background. He was trained in various modalities of therapy EFT, Narrative, Bowenian, Solution Focused to name a few. His varied life experiences have influenced and helped develop a unique and eclectic approach towards therapy.
The journey of life I’ve been on for almost 50 years has led me through many difficult and traumatic experiences. It has also led me through some of the most amazing and times of healing. God has been relentless in his pursuit and work in my life. Even though I have been wounded in this life, I have the scars that prove that he has healed me. My privilege would be to come along side you in your current struggles and be the instrument that God uses to lead you to the healing. Not only you but your loved ones as well. I believe God has called me for such a time as this, to work with individuals, couples, marriages, and families at the Center for Mighty Marriages and Families.
David Powell, Marriage & Family Counseling Intern
After retiring from a 40-year career that involved working with families managing their money, I decided to follow a long-term passion. I enrolled in Abilene Christian Universities’ Graduate Studies in Marriage and Family Therapy and am now in an internship under Dr. John VanderKaay and the ACU faculty.
Training
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Christian Perspective, Gottman, Solution Focused, EMDR, Clinical Hypnosis, and Motivational Interviewing.
Areas of Expertise
Couples/Marriage Counseling, Individual Counseling, Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Communication, Job/Sports Performance, Sleep, and Pain Management
Memberships
Student Member – American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
Member – American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC)
Member – The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH)
Member – Alpha Chi National College Honor Society
Click Here to hear a message from David.
Cocoa, our emotionally intuitive Certified Therapy Dog.
She's available to help in sessions, by request of clients.
Our Administrative Support Team:
Kelle Neveu
Office Manager