Dr. Matthew Luckenbach LPC, RPT, NCC, CCMHC

Licensed PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR

Thank you for considering Diakonos Counseling. It is my passion and desire to help those who are hurting.  When you are going through difficult circumstances you don’t have to go through it alone. My passion is to help you work through your pain and hardships that affect your life and your relationships. As a Christian Counselor, my goal is to help others work through their issues to find a place of restoration and healing within context of their own beliefs and values. As part of Diakonos Counseling we provide a collaborative counseling approach that respects your right to choose how therapy sessions look and will empower you to take control of your life again. My passion as a counselor and adjunct professor of counseling allows me to help and teach others to achieve restoration and healing.

During sessions you will discover that:

• I am dedicated to creating a trusting relationship and providing affordable counseling to those who need help. Your own thoughts, beliefs, and values are important to me as well as your active involvement in the counseling process.

• My passions include helping those with broken marriages achieve healing and intimacy.  God also has given me a heart to help those with internet pornography addiction, abuse, behavior concerns, parenting, and family conflict.

• My interests also include working with adults and children who have been victims to trauma and/or abuse (both sexual and physical.)  I also help people who have depression, anxiety, anger management issues, stress, and divorce.  One of my specific areas of interest is helping those who experience significant anxiety issues including high stress, OCD, and PTSD.

• The experiences I have working in outpatient, in-home, and residential settings for counseling, have allowed me to see clients who represent different severity levels of mental issues, and a variety of stressors that contribute to their struggles.

• I have my doctorate in counseling from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where I also have the privilege of being an adjunct faculty.  I teach several masters level classes including child/adolescent counseling and marriage/family counseling. This is where I studied to achieve my Master’s degree in counseling which prepared me to practice counseling from an integrative perspective. I also have two Bachelor’s degrees in psychology and communication studies.

• My professional credentials include being a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Missouri, a National Certified Counseling, Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor and a national certification as a Registered Play Therapist (RPT).

• I am affiliated with several professional organizations including: American Association of Christian Counselors and the Association of Play Therapy.

Please feel free to call or email me if you have questions even if you would like to discuss whether counseling is the right fit for you.

Dr. Rick Smith, LPC

Licensed PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR

With over 25 years in the helping profession, Dr. Rick Smith is known as compassionate, authentic and skillful.  His empathetic, unconditional positive regard will help create an environment that is safe and accepting.  You will be allowed to work at your own pace with great respect for your unique individuality.

He has a diverse and unique history in the helping profession.  In addition to serving as a resident counselor, minister, substance abuse counselor, adjunct professor and public speaker, Dr. Smith most likes to aid people in receiving the abundant life promised in God's word.

His undergraduate degree is in Behavioral Science.  He has a M.A. in Counseling along with a D.Min. degree from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Dr. Smith is a lifelong learner who continuously pursues training to serve his clients better.  He is well-read and constantly growing is his effectiveness for solutions to life's most complex difficulties.

Lee Ann Nelson, LCSW

Licensed CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER

Lee Ann Nelson has completed a Bachelor of Social Work and a Master of Social Work degree from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. She holds a Clinical License in the State of Missouri and is a member of the National Association of Social Workers. Lee Ann has 20 years of experience in the field of Human Services and has served in the capacity of therapist, administrator, program developer and adjunct instructor for Metropolitan Community Colleges and the University of Central Missouri. Areas of focus for therapeutic services include treating children, adolescents and adults dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma and grief as well as family/couples therapy.

Dr. Christopher Cornine, LPC

Licensed professional counselor, clinical director

Dr. Chris Cornine holds a BA in psychology, an MS in Counseling Psychology, and a PhD in Clinical Psychology. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the State of Missouri and a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the State of Illinois. He has a wide range of experience working with adults, adolescents, and children in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Areas of focus include behavioral addictions, parenting and behavior management, and couple/family counseling, as well as treating depression, anxiety disorders such as OCD, and trauma in adults and children. Dr. Cornine is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). He serves as Clinical Director of Diakonos.

Dr. Stephanie Fidler, LCP

Licensed clinical psychologist, PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

Dr. Stephanie Fidler obtained a BS and MS in psychology from the University of Central Missouri. Dr. Fidler obtained her Psychology Doctorate from Forest Institute of Professional Psychology. Dr. Fidler's study emphasis was in the areas of Marriage and Family Therapy and Child and Adolescent Treatment. Her dissertation entailed a comprehensive study of the correlation between spiritual well-being and depression. She is a member of the American Psychological Association and the Missouri Psychological Association, and is a Licensed Psychologist in the State of Missouri.

Dr. Fidler has over 15 years of experience in several different clinical settings including forensic, in-patient, out-patient, community mental health, and college counseling centers. Her areas of interest with children include behavior disorders, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, depression, and attachment disorders, just to name a few. Dr. Fidler also focuses on Women's Issues including anxiety, depression, grief, and phase of life.

Dr. Stephen F. Pringle, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor and president

Dr. Steve Pringle has served as a pastor, military chaplain, and a professional counselor for more than four decades. Since 1981 he has worked as a pastoral and licensed counselor for Diakonos Counseling in Independence, Mo. When the founder of Diakonos Counseling, Dr. Larry Cornine, retired from private practice in 2000, Dr. Pringle and his wife Mary purchased the practice from Dr. Cornine and his wife Dorothy.

Dr. Pringle focuses his counseling treatment in the areas of depression, anxiety, marriage, family, and post-traumatic stress disorder. He is a graduate of Southwest Baptist University, Bolivar, Mo., with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology;  Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Mo., with a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry which focused in counseling; and Webster University, Kansas City, Mo., with a Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling.

Dr. Pringle served 23 years as a chaplain in the Missouri Army National Guard, retiring in 2000 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Since retiring as a military chaplain, Dr. Pringle has placed his energy and efforts full-time on growing and developing Diakonos Counseling into the center it is today. The growing staff maintains the same quality and commitment to Christian-based and clinically sound treatment that was started over 30 years ago by Dr. Cornine and his wife Dorothy.