Our Mission
We dedicate ourselves to delivering Full Service Psychological Care for each client according to their specific needs, life season and desire for faith-based integration in such a way that they will eagerly share us with their friends and family.
Our Vision
GracePointe Counseling Center provides Full-Service Psychological Care through a strategically constructed network of churches, medical facilities, schools, businesses, not-for profits and other organizations thus serving all levels of need for individuals, groups and communities thereby making significant contributions to the successes of all involved.
GracePointe Counseling Center …"How may we serve you?"
Counselors
Neal Hughes,
Senior Psychological Examiner
Neal Hughes has been a practicing psychotherapist since 1989 when he graduated with a Masters in Clinical Psychology from East Tennessee State University. Prior to this he acquired a BA in Religion from Asbury College (now Asbury University) and a M.Div. from Asbury Theological Seminary with a specialized curriculum in historical theology. This emphasis provided him with knowledge about the dynamics of the major streams of the Christian tradition as well as respect for each of them. In addition he has done graduate work in the area of Medieval History.
Academic interests in history and philosophy, the development of theological/spiritual traditions in Christianity (and other religions as well), and psychology led him into exploring the synchronicity among these areas (All truth is God's). This dovetailed with his interest in neuroscience and the interplay of psychological/spiritual interventions with neurological functions. As a result counseling is directed toward identifying, developing, and marshalling internal and external resources to create an environment that does not readily support emotional distress and self-defeating patterns and instead develops greater ability to manage emotional distress, resolve conflicts, overcome obstacles, and enhance contentment and productivity. Continuing education helps him keep up to date on the latest research in this growing field and has taken him as far away as Harvard University.
He has presented on many different mental health topics including the integration of psychological and neurological functions widely in this region as well as in Minneapolis, MN and Seattle, WA.
The use of mindfulness-based interventions and the technical eclecticism of Multi-Modal Behavior Therapy on the foundation of Christian psychology enable him to meet the needs of a variety of clients whether they have a cohesive spiritual tradition or not. It also helps introduce Christians to interventions which have been part of Christian spiritual tradition for 2,000 plus years and in Judaism prior to Christ; interventions now being demonstrated as effective in altering neurological function to the good. This is, of course, a work in progress but shows promise for a wide variety of psychiatric disorders.
Neal has been married to Jenny for 26 years and they have two children Elizabeth and Patrick and a great son-in-law, Ben. He and his family have lived in Johnson City for 25 years (a return to the area of his birth) having moved back here from Lexington, KY. He is an ordained clergyman serving in the Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Johnson City. He enjoys working out 3-5 times weekly, tennis, music of several varieties, following his successful and talented children from event to event, reading history, political science, philosophy, ancient Christian authors, The Grove Park Inn's Sunset Terrace Restaurant and other fine eating establishments, and everything Irish.
Ms. Beverly Owens,
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Beverly C. Owens received her Masters Degree in Social Work with emphasis in Family Systems, Addictions, PsychoSocial and Structural/Strategic Therapies from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She went on to become a State Board Certified, Licensed Clinical Social Worker. For the past twenty-four years, Beverly has delivered Clinical Family Therapy in numerous community-based settings (Tri Cities Christian Psychiatry, Munsey Counseling Center, Indian Path Pavilion, Frontier Health, Recovery Associates Inc., North Side Hospital, and the Regional Juvenile Detention Center).
Ms. Owens' passion is to facilitate the growth and healing process for children, youths, families, and struggling singles. In addition to considerable expertise with chemical (and other) dependencies, she has extensive experience treating anxiety disorders, depression, abuse and marital difficulties. Beverly has also dedicated her efforts to Women's Issues by providing multiple recovery/support groups for incest survivors and fatigued, over-stressed women. Her approach combines empathy, genuineness and unconditional acceptance of all clients in their place of brokenness.
Beverly Owens accepted Christ as her personal Savior many years ago. She has been active in her church for over two decades serving as teacher and youth leader. In her practice, she comfortably combines clinically effective, therapeutic strategies and techniques with sound biblical principals and Christian values. While she has developed specialization in working with individuals who are Christians, Ms. Owens welcomes the opportunity to work with families of all faiths.
Beverly loves to read and browse for new titles at Books-a-Million or Barnes & Nobel. In her quiet moments she also draws in pastels and listens to an eclectic mix of music genres. Beverly runs eighteen to twenty-four miles each week and has recently added, "I will run a marathon." to her personal Bucket List! She is the mother of two wonderful sons, a loving, beautiful daughter, and grandmother to five busy grandchildren.
Ms. Polly Yarling,
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Ms. Yarling received her Master's Degree in Social Work, Clinical Emphasis, from the University of Tennessee in 2003. She then earned her Tennessee Board Certification as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 2006. Prior to pursuing her Master's Degree, Ms. Yarling put her Bachelor's Degree in Child Development from Purdue University to good use after her first child was born, enjoying both the fullness and challenge of being a stay-at-home mother of two outstanding children for fourteen years.
Ms. Yarling is passionate about children of all ages. Her general work history includes teaching pre-school, providing respite day-care services to abused and neglected children, and serving children in various church capacities as a volunteer. Clinically, she has provided services for children and families in community mental health settings at Holston United Methodist Homes for Children, Frontier Health, Cherokee Health Systems, and Catholic Charities. She belongs to the National Association of Social Work and the Association for Play Therapy.
In early 2009 Ms. Yarling was afforded the opportunity to open her private practice at Grace Pointe Counseling Center, for which she is very grateful. She has enjoyed working with children, adults, and families in this setting. She treats a spectrum of childhood behavioral and/or emotional disorders, as well as sexual abuse issues, trauma, and symptoms of disrupted attachment. Her emphasis on adult disorders includes depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, anger, parenting concerns, divorce, abuse, codependency, and family-of-origin dynamics.
Ms. Yarling has a varied life experience that enables her to connect with people from many walks of life. She is awed and humbled by God's Grace, and blessed to have a life filled with close family and friends who support her, a beautiful environment to call home, and a never-ending supply of books to read.