Counseling Team
MEET THE TEAM AT CHRISTIAN COUNSELING ASSOCIATES RALEIGH: We are all licensed, credentialed and experienced counselors and life coaches, with extensive backgrounds in individual and marriage counseling.
Dr. Mike Garrett is the founder and Executive Director of our practice. Click here to learn more about Dr. Mike Garrett’s credentials.
Rhonda Garrett (Co-Director) /Licensed Clinical Mental Health Therapist. Click here to learn more about Rhonda Garrett’s credentials.
Our team also has several more highly trained therapists Ginna Bustle LCSW, Rick McKoy LCMHCA, Anthony Thomas LCSW, Karen Harmon LMFTA and Life Coaches Angel King, Brandon Coombs and Jessica Coombs.
Rick McKoy MA, LCMHCA is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate with a Master of Arts degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
Rick’s counseling experience has primarily been in areas of relationships, mood disorders, life adjustments, communication, conflict management and vocational assessment/decision-making. The areas he is most passionate about and focused on are marriage, pre-marital, and career counseling. Rick is passionate and committed to guiding couples and individuals toward and through God’s vision and design for marriage and life. In addition to his counseling training and experience, Rick has had a 37 year professional business career in sales and human resource management and over 30 years of lay ministry experience in marriage and family ministry in churches and the community, teaching, training, coaching and mentoring couples and men.
Rick is very committed and involved in the church and ministry serving as an elder, marriage ministry leader, church planter and Christian education. He and his wife of over 40 years have been blessed by 2 married children and 7 grandchildren. Rick enjoys sports, the outdoors, spending time with his grandchildren and, his preferred method of therapy, camping.
Ginna Bustle, MSW, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who brings over 30 years of experience working with individuals, families, and couples. She earned her Masters degree in social work from Boston University, and has worked in a variety of settings including as an intensive in-home family therapist, as a outpatient therapist, and as a parent educator.
She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers. She treats teens and adults, and works with people who are experiencing depression, anxiety, grief, relational issues, parenting concerns, trauma, past sexual abuse, domestic violence, and women’s issues. Ginna has a warm engaging style that puts people immediately at ease. She uses an eclectic approach to therapy based on what her clients need. Ginna has been married over 25 years, and has raised three children.
Karen Harmon, MA, LMFTA, is a licensed marriage and family therapist. She has her Master of Arts degree in Christian Marital, Family and Individual Counseling, and her BA in Christian Counseling, both from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Karen spent many years as a lay person counseling children, youth, and young adults. She even served for a while in a refugee setting and also in a local mega church counseling ministry. After many years in the non-profit sector, Karen felt led and was encouraged by many who knew her well to become a professional counselor. Today, she is passionate about and focused on caring well for children, adolescents, young adults, and those in marriage crises, chronic pain, grief, and life transitions.
Karen is a dedicated wife and mother of three adult children and brings a wealth of training, experience, and wisdom to every counseling session.
Anthony Thomas, MDiv, LCSW has been a Licensed Counselor and a Pastor for more than 20 years. Anthony has a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Georgia, and a Master of Divinity Degree from Columbia Biblical Seminary. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Anthony’s counseling experience includes extensive work with couples, individuals, and families experiencing relationship difficulties, conflict, and communication issues. He has led marriage / parenting seminars and classes and has become a trusted resource in this field by area pastors. His areas of counseling specialization include marital / relational issues, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, infidelity, trauma, past hurts, and life transitions.
Anthony uses an “integrated” theoretical approach which becomes very individualized, but includes elements from “cognitive behavioral,” “solutions oriented,” “emotionally focused,” “family systems,” and “Gottman principles” in his therapeutic process. Anthony’s desire is to see couples, families, and individuals grow in health, healing & wholeness. He desires to work with people in a practical and goal-oriented way.
Anthony has been married 29 years and has two young adult children. He enjoys tennis, disc golf, and most outdoor activities.
Dottie Hilliard, LMFTA is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate (#12418A) in the state of North Carolina. Dottie studied at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) where she received her Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling. She grew up in Raleigh and is a graduate of NCSU with a bachelor’s degree in social work. Dottie formerly served in the Graduate Counseling program at The Summit Church for several years. She has experience in working with women and couples who are faced with all kinds of marital issues, with a focus on sexual betrayal and healing afterwards. She also has a passion and experience in helping those who struggle with emotional issues such as anxiety and depression, and grief.
Dottie is married with two grown daughters whom she homeschooled for eight years. In her free time, Dottie enjoys spending time with her husband Doug and their two daughters and sons-in law. Their family has expanded in recent years with the addition of several grandkids that have brought much joy to their lives.
LIFE COACHES:
Angel King, MCLC is a Board Certified Advanced Christian Life Coach. She can encourage, direct, train, and guide through life’s toughest decisions and situations. Whether you are going through a career change, having trouble balancing your work and personal life, dealing with grief or just want to feel more focused and confident this may be the path for you. Hourly and multi-hour sessions are available. In addition to her certification in Life Coaching Angel is certified through Cornell University in Plant-Based Nutrition and also credentialed in radiology. She has many years experience in medical, event and ministry management. Angel is from NC and grew up in the ministry of her parents. Her dad was a pastor and missionary and served the Cherokee and Choctaw tribes in Oklahoma. Angel is committed to supporting her clients as they find success and greater fulfillment through reaching their goals as they seek God’s plan for their lives. She coaches with a great balance of compassion and accountability.
Brandon Coombs, is Board Certified as an Advanced Christian Life Coach. He also holds a Master’s degree in Christian Counseling from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and received his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Family Studies from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. He has much experience in restoring family relationships and also counseling at-risk youth
He is passionate about pre-marital and marital coaching. He also enjoys encouraging people in parenting challenges, stress management, and enhancing relationship skill sets. Brandon and his beautiful wife, Jessica, have utilized these techniques and skillsets in leadership roles in community, Christian school and also as Small Group Leaders in their church.
Brandon also serves as a teacher at a local private Christian School. And he has had the privilege of being called “Coach” for over 10 years as he coaches girls and boys high school soccer. He loves watching sports, enjoying movies, and spending time with his lovely wife and their two wonderful daughters.
Our counseling team is ready to help you.