Roger A Russell, Ph.D. is licensed as a psychologist (1985), as a school psychologist, and as a marriage and family therapist (1992). He has worked as a psychologist in private practice since 1988, but also served as a psychology professor for 22 years, as a school psychologist for 5 years, and as an Air Force psychologist for 3 years. He received a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Texas A&M University (1983), a M.Ed. in School Psychology from Southwest Texas State University (1975), and did a clinical psychology internship at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center (1982-1983). In 2008, he co-founded Turning Point Counseling and is a managing partner.

Dr. Roger Russell specializes in psychological testing for all ages (2+) and for numerous areas of concern: ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, learning disabilities, mood disorders (depression and bipolar disorder), and for various types of anxiety disorders. He has evaluated thousands of children and adults since 1975. Pre-surgical psychological testing for pain patients and for weight loss patients is another area of specialty.

Dr. Russell is married to Terri Russell who also works at Turning Point Counseling as a Licensed Professional Counselor and as a Licensed Psychological Associate. They have two sons, Nicholas and Ryan, and a daughter-in-law, Raechel.

Insurance Accepted: Aetna, Baylor Scott & White, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Beacon Health, Superior, Cigna, First Care, First Care Medicaid, First Health, TMHP, Molina, Multiplan, Tricare, United Health Care, Humana.

Patrick’s journey into counseling came out of his experience of working with families in church ministry. For more than 20 years he has been supporting and encouraging families in finding solutions and becoming stronger, healthier people.

His goal with all clients is that each one would feel respected, understood, and valued, as God created all people to feel.

Patrick works with the entire family, with couples, and individuals to address the issues that people have in life.

He has a special interest in helping parents with children who have ADHD, high functioning Autism (Asperger’s Syndrome) and mood disturbances. These children are often identified by their meltdowns and underdeveloped social skills. They often are oppositional and defiant and respond poorly to task requests.

He helps families working with him to develop an understanding of their child’s diagnosis and develop behavioral strategies to manage the symptoms the diagnosis presents. Persistent problems are not signs of failure but reminders of unmet needs.

Patrick will see children as young as age 3 with their parents.

Patrick and his wife, Ann, have two grown children.

Ages: 2-13, 21+

Insurance Accepted: Aetna, Amerigroup, Baylor Scott & White, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Beacon Health Options, First Care, First Health, Humana, Molina, Multiplan, Superior, TMHP, Tricare, United Health Care.

Amy is licensed by the state of Texas as a Marriage and Family Therapist (2015) and Professional Counselor (2016). She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Leadership & Ministry from Harding University (2011) and a Master of Marriage and Family Therapy from Abilene Christian University (2013).

Amy works with couples, families, and individuals ages 4 and older. Her areas of special interest include relationship issues, anxiety, intimacy issues, grief, and trauma. She offers both in-person and virtual sessions to clients in the state of Texas. She is also a Twogether in Texas provider for premarital counseling.

Amy believes her clients have a wealth of resources for bettering their lives and deepening their connection with others, and therapy works to help remove the barriers and beliefs that keep these resources out of reach. She desires for therapy to be a place where clients feel safe, accepted, understood, and empowered. She deeply enjoys the work that she does, and feels it is a great honor to walk alongside her clients through difficult and significant points in their lives.

In addition to her work as a therapist, Amy volunteers locally through the Junior League of Abilene. She is married to Kyle, and enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending time with her two dogs, Mosley and Crispin.

Ages: 12+

Insurance Accepted: Amerigroup, Blue Cross Blue Shield, First Care Medicaid, Molina, Superior, TMHP, United Health Care.

Rachel holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Texas A&M University and a Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Through her formal training, she learned multiple theoretical and practical approaches to facilitate change working with children, adolescents, and adults. She is licensed in the state of Texas as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), License Number 79293. She has received certification in evidence-based approaches to treating trauma including Trauma-Focused- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and training in Eye Movement Desensitization, and Reprocessing (EMDR). She utilizes multiple techniques to meet your needs and goals for treatment. She is also certified as a Certified Victim Advocate which assists victims during Forensic SANE Exams at the hospital.

Rachel worked for Roy Maas Youth Alternatives in San Antonio from 2017-2018 serving children and their families of low socio-economic status in a counseling center setting. She also provided crisis counseling to sex trafficked victims and children living in a short-term residential program. She also worked in Trenton, New Jersey from 2019-2020 as the primary therapist in an Adult Intensive Outpatient Program. She began working for the Regional Victim Crisis Center in May of 2020 and provided crisis counseling to children, adolescents, adults, and families who were victims of crime. Rachel believes when individuals are given a safe and supportive environment, most individuals embrace opportunities and insight to work toward changing negative patterns in their lives to find hope and healing. She wants to provide a safe, non-judgmental atmosphere where she and her clients can partner together to create lasting, sustainable change.

Ages: 5+

Sliding Scale/ Cash Pay

Stephen Willis is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (1992), Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor (1991).

Stephen is a trained hypnotherapist with more than 25 years of experience in helping people in the Abilene area. He is a graduate of Abilene Christian University’s Marriage and Family Therapy program (1988) and has trained professionals and given stress workshops in various surrounding states.

He is a member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists and an Approved Clinical Supervisor. He is also an approved supervisor of Marriage and Family Therapists and Licensed Professional Counselors for the state of Texas. He is a member of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH) and the Society of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis (SCEH). He is also an adjunct professor at Abilene Christian University in their Marriage and Family Therapy graduate program.

Stephen is the owner of Stress Solutions and has worked with couples, families and individuals in dealing with stress related issues for over twenty-five years, including: Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Marital and Family stress, Phobias, PTSD, Sexual Abuse issues, Sleep problems, Spiritual issues, Trauma from religious upbringing, Work Stress.

Ages: 10+

Insurance Accepted: Aetna, Amerigroup, Blue Cross Blue Shield, First Care, First Care Medicaid, Magellan, Managed Health Network/Health Net, Superior, TMHP, Tricare, Tricare for Life, United Health Care/United Behavioral Health.

Terri Russell, M.Ed. is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) (2006) and a Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA) (2010) working under the supervision of her husband, Roger Russell, Ph.D., who also works with Turning Point Counseling as a psychologist.

She received a M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Central Oklahoma (1985) and a B.A. from East Central University (1980) in Ada, Oklahoma where she majored in Interpreting for the Deaf and Rehabilitation. She has volunteered at Pregnancy Resources and at the Regional Crime Victim’s Counseling Center’s WHO program which partners with Abilene ISD to teach children about personal safety.

Terri specializes in psychological testing for individuals of all ages (3 and up) in order to determine whether a person has any of the following: learning disabilities, intellectual deficiencies, ADHD, autism, anxiety disorders or mood disorders (depression or bipolar disorder). She has evaluated many children and adults both in school and clinical settings for over 15 years.

In addition to psychological testing, Mrs. Russell has worked as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, as a Career Counselor at Cisco College, and as a Disability Services Coordinator and University Counselor at McMurry University.

The Russell’s have two children, Ryan, who is married to Raechel, and Nicholas.

Insurance Accepted: Aetna, Baylor Scott & White, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Beacon Health, Cigna, First Care, First Care Medicaid, First Health, Humana, Molina, Multiplan, Superior, TMHP, Tricare, United Health Care.

Kyle is licensed by the state of Texas as a Licensed Professional Counselor (2017). He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in sociology from Hardin-Simmons University (2013). He then earned his Master of Arts in Family Psychology from Hardin-Simmons University (2015).

Kyle works with individuals (children, teens, adults), couples, and families. No matter the form of therapy being utilized, Kyle approaches clients with a holistic mindset encompassing any biological or social aspects influencing the client’s life/situation. Kyle’s desire is for clients to not only meet their goals for therapy, but also feel respected, valued, and safe in the process. When working through play therapy, thus allowing the children to open up and express themselves in ways they feel safe and comfortable.

In addition to counseling full time at Turning Point Counseling, Kyle counsels patients for PARC Urology in Dallas, who are experiencing troubles from surgical issues. He is married to a beautiful wife, and together, they both enjoy living life to its fullest with their dog, Lana, by their side.

Ages: 4+

Insurance Accepted: Amerigroup, Baylor Scott & White, Blue Cross Blue Shield, First Care, First Care Medicaid, Superior, TMHP, Tricare, United Health Care/United Behavioral Health.

Kyle is licensed by the state of Texas as a Marriage and Family Therapist (2022). He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Family Ministry from Harding University (2010) and a Master of Marriage and Family Therapy from Abilene Christian University (2014).

Kyle works with couples, families, and individuals ages 10 and older. His areas of special interest include anxiety, depression, marital conflict and discernment, family conflict, grief, life transition, coping skills, and self-esteem issues. He utilizes a number of assessments and techniques in helping clients identify and navigate difficulties and resources, and collaborates with them to discover solutions that best honor the clients’ unique selves.

Kyle believes that change best happens from within and focuses on acceptance and empowerment. As someone who values nature and spaces that encourage calm, Kyle always tries to create a therapeutic atmosphere that allows clients to feel calm so as to create focus and strength to reengage their lives when they leave session.

When Kyle is not in office seeing clients, he loves to devote time to things that ground him. He enjoys cooking, listening to music and podcasts, watching movies and television, and being outside next to a campfire. Kyle has the blessing of getting to do life with his wonderful wife Amy and their two dogs, Mosley and Crispin.

Ages: 9+

Insurance Accepted: Blue Cross Blue Shield, TMHP, and United Health Care.

Kayla obtained her Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Howard Payne University in 2009 and became a Licensed Bachelor of Social Worker shortly thereafter. She graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with her Master of Science in Social Work, emphasizing in children and families in 2012. She then became a Licensed Master Social Worker. After working for some time within the realm of trauma and particularly crimes against children, she became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 2017.

Kayla specializes in foster care, adoption, trauma, grief, and loss. She has predominantly worked with victims of crime, foster care, and adoption, as well as those residing within a long-term care facility. She is passionate about preserving dignity and caring for those who are often forgotten.

In addition to her work at Turning Point Counseling, Kayla enjoys spending time with her two children and extended family.

Ages: 14+

Insurance Accepted: Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicare, Tricare, United Health Care/United Behavioral Health.

Tele-health Only

Matt is licensed by the state of Texas as a Licensed Professional Counselor (2018). He earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in Business Administration from Hardin-Simmons University (2007). He then earned his Master of Education in Counseling and Human Development from Hardin-Simmons University (2012).

For the past 10 years, Matt has worked primarily with families and youth. This experience prepared him to provide counseling that helps his clients work through and grow in their unique situations. Matt works with adolescents and adults, both individually and in the family settings. Matt’s faith as a Christian plays an important role in how he helps his clients understand themselves and the world around them.

Matt’s goal is to help his clients discover solutions to the issues confronting them by utilizing cognitive and behavior therapy techniques that allows them to feel heard, respected, and valued.

In addition to maintaining a full time practice at Turning Point Counseling, Matt enjoys playing tennis, traveling, and serving in youth ministry at his church.

Ages: 12+

Insurance Accepted: Baylor Scott & White, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and Superior Medicaid, and United Health Care.

Allison holds a Masters of Clinical Counseling from the University of Hardin Simmons here in Abilene. Allison enjoys working with individuals of all ages in a person centered and solution focused approach to help address anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, emotional identification and regulation and many other issues. She also offers some telehealth sessions. She also offers sand tray therapy and play therapy as well.

Allison believes that therapy is a place to explore uncomfortable emotions, issues and trauma, self identity, and more with a focus on natural strength, resilience, balance and support. She provides support and encouragement to help clear goals and work toward productive and healthy habits that will help them instead of remaining stuck. She has a passion for helping people become the best version of themselves.

Ages: 5+

Insurance Accepted: Baylor Scott & White, BCBS, First Care, TMHP, United Health Care.

Joshua is licensed by the state of Texas as a Licensed Professional Counselor. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. He then earned his Master of Education in Counseling and Human Development from Hardin-Simmons University. He worked as a Licensed Professional counselor Associate at Serenity House, where he dedicated himself to understanding addiction and all that comes with it. Joshua works with individuals (children, teens, adults) and couples (and can provide services in Spanish). While utilizing many different approaches to therapy, Josh approaches clients with a holistic mentality. Josh is fascinated by who you are and assesses your goals while establishing a strong interpersonal therapeutic relationship. He is calm, nonjudgemental, growth-minded, and optimistic and wants you to enjoy the process of development and change.

Joshua’s clients often come to therapy when they feel like their lives have began to feel empty and aimless and his goal is for you to rediscover your strengths, passion, balance, and direction. His ultimate goal is for you to be empowered and for you to operate from a place of confidence, wisdom, strength, and purpose. Some of the Feelings and problems associated with his areas of special interest include , Feelings of nihilism, excessive Shame and guilt, relationships pain and struggles, feeling stuck in destructive habits, a compulsion to over-help others(not okay to have my own needs), abandonment fears, indecision and excessive self-doubt, feelings of insignificance, feelings of passivity, overwhelming sadness due to loss, irrational fears, resentment, control issues.

Areas of special interest include self-esteem, overcoming addiction, spirituality, co-dependency, positive psychology, forgiveness, life purpose/strengths, multicultural concerns, personality issues (enneagram, Myers briggs) Relationship conflict and discernment, grief, emptiness, young adult issues, career.

He is married to a beautiful wife, and together, they are fighting hard to overcome the difficult issues that life brings with their husky, Togo, by their side.

Ages: 12+

Insurance Accepted: United Health Care, TMHP.