Dr. Douglas Whittle, is a trained pastoral counselor, ordained minister, development officer and professor. Dr. Whittle, is the director of LPCC and is working to move the ministry to a new, and higher level of service to the community. He has a Masters of Divinity degree in pastoral studies and a Doctor of Ministry degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.

Dr. Whittle was the founder of the Christian Life Resource Center in Santa Clarita, California, a counseling and resource ministry for that city's churches and community.

Doug was formally the director of development, special projects, a science relations officer at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California. His duties included establishing and funding joint projects between the school of medicine, the comprehensive cancer center and other research entities of USC and partner organizations, such as Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Caltech and NASA/JPL.

From 1998 to 2001, Dr. Whittle also served as the senior director of development at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena where he directed aspects of strategic and annual planning. From 1990 to 1998, He served as Vice President for Advancement for Palmer Theological Seminary in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area.

Before that time, Doug served as a senior pastor of two churches and also was an adjunct and affiliate professor at Eastern University and the Jerusalem Center for Biblical Studies.

Dr. Whittle also serves as a needs assessment resource counselor and as a member of the Mobile Evaluation Team for Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health. He is also a parish assistant minister at James Island Presbyterian Church.

A caring relationship with clients, informed by solid theory and technique, characterize Lynn's approach to counseling. Her consistent empathy and concern for growth allow her to see a wide variety of clients. She brings a wealth of life experience to her therapy.

Early in her clinical work, Lynn worked with children and adolescents, some with abuse backgrounds. Later she developed an extensive practice
working with adults, individually and in marriage and family contexts. She has helped many individuals through difficult life transitions.

Lynn has experience in agency, private practice, and pastoral counseling settings. These work experiences and training, along with her personal journey, allow Lynn to help her clients move towards growth and change in a safe therapeutic environment. She is the Senior Counselor at LPCC.

EDUCATION:
Master of Education in Counseling

LICENSES & CERTIFICATION:
Licensed Professional Counselor
Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor
National Certified Counselor

SPECIALTIES:
Divorce Recovery
Grief and Loss Recovery
Life-stage Transitions
Depression and Anxiety Issues
Parent and Child Concerns
ADHD
Women's Concerns
Couples Therapy
Premarital Counseling

A strong belief in hope and change contribute to Lisa's supportive therapy with clients. Lisa's ability to build rapport with clients engages them in the recovery process. A variety of treatment settings have allowed Lisa to specialize in work with couples, young people and families.

As a Certified Addictions Counselor, Lisa has worked extensively with clients struggling with their own substance abuse or that of a loved one.

EDUCATION
Master of Education in Clinical Counseling

LICENSURE & CERTIFICATION
Licensed Professional Counselor
National Certified Counselor
Certified Addictions counselor II

SPECIALTIES
Substance Abuse and Addictions Treatment
Women's Concerns
Depression and Anxiety
Trauma Resolution
Adolescent Issues

RUTH DOMBROWSKI, Therapist & Substance Abuse Counselor
MSW, LISW-CP, DCSW, CAC II

Empathy, spirituality, experience and intelligence combine to make Ruth Dombrowski an excellent choice as a counselor and therapist. Ruth is a healer, educator and an advocate for those who face the challenges of mood and substance use disorders. As a Certified Addictions Counselor, Ruth has also worked extensively with persons who are dealing with the challenge of a dual diagnosis.

Ruth utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy to help clients discover dysfunctional patterns and learn how to navigate the road toward self-acceptance, self awareness, and recovery. She believes that personal and spiritual growth is a lifelong journey that enables us to appreciate the mountaintop experiences, and to cope with the valleys. She is a native Charlestonian and enjoys visits with her children, playing with her pets, singing, and going downtown with her husband of 26 (and counting) years.

EDUCATION:
Master of Social Work

LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION:
Licensed Independent Social Worker – Clinical Practices
Licensed Independent Social Worker – Supervisor
Certified Addictions Counselor II
Diplomat in Clinical Social Work
Member of the National Social Work Honor Society

Specialties:
Stress & Anger Management
Addiction
Family & Couple Counseling
Depression & Anxiety
Women’s Issues
Childhood & Adult Trauma
Bipolar Disorders

Ms. Marenakos, who primarily sees clients at the James Island Office and Second Presbyterian Church, comes to Lowcountry Pastoral Counseling Center from Life Management Center. Ms. Marenakos completed a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and a Master of Arts in Counseling. Ms. Marenakos specializes in family systems and is experienced in assisting children, adolescents and young adults through the challenges associated with family conflict, dissolution and loss. Ms. Marenakos works with clients of all ages who are struggling with adjustment and mood disorders. Ms. Marenakos is also a generalist in the field of pastoral counseling.

Ms. Marenakos is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of South Carolina, and a member of the National Board of Certified Counselors and the American Counseling Association.

EDUCATION
M.A.

LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION
LPC

SPECIALTIES
Children through adults, adjustment and mood disorders, relationship issues, family issues, arts therapy, personal coaching and educational guidance.

Mr. Tim Nix comes to LPCC as a part time therapist. He is also a full time Mental Health Counselor at the Dorchester County Department of Mental Health, where he provides clinical assessments and evalutions for adults and children with mental illness and issues of substance abuse. Tim works with couples, adults with post-traumatic stress and also treats those who are suffering with depression and anxiety.

Mr. Nix comes from a family of counselors where both his father and brother are therapists. Mr. Tim Nix attended Charleston Southern University where he received a degree in psychology and then he proceeded to obtain his masters degree in counseling at Webster University. Mr. Nix worked at Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health and also at New Hope Treatment Center in Summerville. The location of his practice will predomenently be in Summerville at the Summerville Presbyterian Church and also at the Ashley River Center.

EDUCATION:
Master of Arts in Counseling

LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION:
Licensed Professional Counselor
Registered Play Therapist

SPECIATIES:
Couples, Adults with PTSD
Anxiety and Depression
Children with PTSD, Loss and Depression
Marital Therapy
Individual Therapy
Pre-marital Counseling
Anger Management
Supervised Theraputic Visitation

Ms. Washington-Williams comes to Lowcountry Pastoral Counseling with significant experience in all forms of counseling and therapy. Ms. Washington-Williams is working primarily out of the Saint Andrews Boulevard office in West Ashley. She is a former program administrator (August 2000-July 2006) at the Detention Center's substance abuse/thinking errors program of the Charleston Center of Charleston County. Ms. Washington-Williams has also worked with the South Carolina Department of Social Services and as a counselor at the Rock Hill Girl's Home.

Ms. Washington-Williams is a highly sought after therapist and substance abuse counselor. She is also a dynamic group counselors and is trained in the integration of faith and clinical health. Ms. Washington-Williams is also an excellent trainer and public speaker and is adept in treating all forms of psychologicaland emotional disorders.

Ms. Washington-Williams is in the process of being certified as an addictions counselor and is a member of the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Addictions Counselors, as well as the American Group Psychotherapy Association. She was recently cited by the US Department of Health and Human Services for her service in New Orleans to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

EDUCATION:
M.A.

LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION:
LPC

SPECIALIZATION:
All areas of individual and family or group counseling, as well as drug, alcohol and substance abuse.

PAMELA HILL WHITE, Therapist
M.Ed., LPC, CRC

Ms. Pamela Hill White, is a licensed professional counselor who recently joined our staff from the Directions Group in Mount Pleasant. She will be working mostly at the James Island and West Ashley Centers. Ms. White is a generalist counselor/therapist who also specializes in rehabilitation for persons with injuries and diabilities. At the Directions Group, Ms. White provided services which included assessments, the review of medical and psychiatric data, psychometric testing, the development and implementation of rehabilitation plans and worked with those who have injuries or disabilities to learn to cope with their future.

Ms. White is experienced in the area of adult, adolescent and child outpatient psychological treatment, and will specialize in individual therapy, marital and family therapy, areas of adjustment, anxiety, depression, rehabilitation, coping with disabilities and chronic pain management, management of stress, ADHD behavior management, parenting and chronic and severe mental illness. Addtional areas of interest include: school based counseling, pain management, career guidance and Christian counseling and formation.

Ms. White received her M.Ed. from the University of South Carolina and is a fully licensed professional therapist in South Carolina.

EDUCATION:
M.Ed. Rehabilitation Counseling

LICENSES & CERTIFICATION:
Licensed Professional Counselor
Certified Rehabilitation Counselor

SPECIATIES:
General Adjustment Disorders
Depression and Anxiety
Marital Therapy
Pre-marital Counseling
Career Guidance
Christian Coaching and Formation
Disabilities, Pain Management
School Based Counseling