About Us
OUr Mission
Providing opportunities for affordable, compassionate, professional counseling.
Our Vision
To create a world where every individual has access to the support and resources they need to lead a healthy, empowered life.
Elizabeth Young, M.Ed., LPC
Elizabeth has been a Licensed Professional Counselor for almost 12 years. She enjoys helping couples develop a secure connection and find the closeness they long for. She is fully trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples, (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/200901/hold-me-tight), and has spent the last 7 years honing her skills through intensive participation in Externships and Core Skills I-IV. Additionally, she has completed faith-focused training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (https://createdforconnection.com).
Early in her career Elizabeth also received professional training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy. She uses some elements of this approach in combination with Cognitive Behavior Therapy (https://www.counselingreviews.com/blog/cbt-vs-dbt/). She has successfully helped individuals who are struggling with moderate-to-severe depression, anxiety, grief and loss, and relationship difficulties. Elizabeth takes a client-focused, collaborative approach to help those she works with clearly identify their needs and goals for therapy.
For those who prefer a faith-based counseling experience, Elizabeth can meet clients where they are and incorporate spiritual care into mental health care. Clients who do not desire a spiritual component in session will also find that she can work with them in a manner that is respectful and congruous with their needs.
When she is not in the office, Elizabeth enjoys exercise, spending time with her husband and family, crafts and reading, volunteering at her church, and engaging in her own personal growth.
Katie Houston, Executive Director
Katie is hoping to use her business experience to help Stillwater Interfaith grow and help end the stigma of mental health. Katie spent 8 years helping her family grow their business in Weatherford, OK. She decided to move to Stillwater and start a new career path. She is hoping to be an asset to the Stillwater Interfaith and a knowing face around the community.
When Katie is not working, she is a mom to two beautiful daughters and fiancé to Jacob. They all keep her very busy. Her family loves to be outside together. They travel as much as they can but love calling Stillwater home.
Our History
The ministerial staffs and congregations of seven Stillwater churches began in 1995 to develop a pastoral counseling center to meet the growing need for affordable therapy in the community. Initially the center was affiliated with the Samaritan Institute, a national training and organizing service for counseling.
After becoming independent of Samaritan, the name was changed to Stillwater Interfaith Counseling Center (also known as SIFCC) and was further developed to employ two licensed professional counselors who offered part-time services to all who requested them out of a small cottage provided at no cost.
At the end of 2008, SIFCC moved to a renovated building that is specifically set up for mental health services, centrally located in Stillwater and is handicap accessible.
In June of 2013, SIFCC moved to a beautiful office building located at 811 Pine Ave.
Due to the growth in seeking mental health help, in 2023, SIFCC hired an executive director that served the center in only that capacity. In 2024, SIFCC moved to 111 W Elm Ave. This location now serves as the home to SIFCC and it’s growing practice.
As growth has happened, SIFCC has started taking on more clients while health insurance does not cover all costs. More patients are being seen on a sliding fee scale which has resulting in the need for more funding support. Stillwater Interfaith Counseling Center has been faced with problems due to the religious affiliation with the name.
ThriveWell is supported by United Way of Payne County, Elite Repeat, and personal donors. Although originally much of our funding came from local churches, they have also found themselves in place that is hard to find funding, which means support for our organization has been cut. After much decision, the board decided it would be best to change the name to ThriveWell Counseling. This will hopefully provide more funding opportunities for our agency. With this name change comes NO change to our practices or how we serve our community. Our counselors continue to provide faith-based counseling when asked and will continue to serve our clients in a professional and compassionate manner.
Community Partnerships
Many individual donors make annual contributions. ThriveWell Counseling also receives funding from Elite Repeat and United Way or Payne County
Our Counselors would like to give a big thanks to our retired board members:
Kelsey Lee
Colin Mason
Denise Strickland
Nancy Fried
Dr. Lee Bird
Mia Owens
Stacy Leming
Jennifer Sutherland
We appreciate our current board members and all that they do:
Jeffery Corbett
Lori Looney, RN
Tana Del Prete, LPC
Pamela Murphy, MS
Dr. Andrew Waller
Missy McCollom Sorrentino
Rector Michael Matkin
How Can you Help?
You can share in the mission ThriveWell Counseling by becoming a financial contributor. All donations go to the general operating budget to provide quality counseling to people who would not be able to afford it otherwise. All contributions are tax-deductible.