Steven Hallbauer – Presiding Member
Steven Hallbauer is a founding member of the law firm Lemons & Hallbauer, LLC in Richardson, Texas. His practice areas include Wills/Estates/Probate, family law, and small business representation.
Originally from Duncanville, Texas, he graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Radio/Television/Film and obtained his juris doctor from St. Mary’s University School of Law in 2005.
Steven was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors this past summer, and currently serves on the Complaints Committee and Rules Committee. In addition to the Board of Examiners, he serves on the Advisory Board of the Greater Dallas Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. He was Chair of the 2017 Greater Dallas Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
Steven is a member of the National Eagle Scout Association and The University of Texas Longhorn Alumni Band. He lives in Rockwall with his wife, two kids and chocolate Labrador Retriever. He enjoys coaching youth soccer, skiing, and cake decorating.
Christopher S. Taylor, Ph.D., LPC-S – Vice-Chair
Christopher S. Taylor, Ph.D. LPC-S, author of My Digital Practice, host of the For Self-Examination podcast, founder of Taylor Counseling Group, Texas Mental Health Solutions, the Counseling for the Future Foundation and co-founder of the Empifany App is an adjunct professor of counseling ethics at Dallas Theological Seminary and Amberton University.
Dr. Taylor utilizes existential psychotherapy to provide treatment for individuals struggling with loss of identity. In 2015, he was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to serve on the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors as a professional member. In 2018, he was unanimously voted as Vice-Chair of the board and was reappointed to a second term in 2019 and is currently serving as a councilman on the Behavioral Health Executive Council.
Working with various state and private organizations such as Child Protective Services since 2008, Dr. Taylor has experienced the lack of community support for broken homes in both urban and rural communities. In an endeavor to alleviate this issue, Dr. Taylor served as the court coordinator and program developer for Legacy Family Court in Dallas County from 2013 to 2016. In 2015, Legacy Family Court was recognized as “An Agent of Change” by the Council on Drug and Alcohol Abuse and was awarded an official resolution by Dallas County. In 2016, the Agricultural Commissioner appointed Dr. Taylor to serve on the Rural Health Task Force to assist in developing solutions for the expansion of mental health programs in rural Texas communities.
Dr. Taylor completed his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy with a concentration in existentialism at Texas A&M University. He continues to research and write on the subject of identity and existential development.
Carmelia “Lia” Amuna, Ph.D., LPC-S
Dr. Lia Amuna is the Director of the Student Wellness & Counseling Center for Texas A&M University-Central Texas. She possesses a certificate in Management from Harvard Business School, a certificate in Global Health Informatics from M.I.T, a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Mercer University, a Masters in Psychology with a concentration in Professional Counseling from Georgia School of Professional Psychology and Doctorate of Health Education from A.T. Still University’s School of Health Sciences. She has spent the past 15 years working in the mental health field and the past 12 years as a professor of psychology and marriage and family therapy for various universities.
She is a specialist in the realm of sex therapy, college student concerns, and telemental health. Dr. Amuna is currently licensed as a professional counselor in 3 states, a national certified counselor, a certified sexual disorder diagnostician, a master addiction counselor and has training as a pharmacy technician. Dr. Amuna has presented on and provided keynote addresses on a variety of topics for agencies such as the Georgia Bureau of Investigations, the Department of Behavioral Health and Development Disabilities, and the American Diabetes Association. She is passionate about helping others achieve their optimal level of mental and physical well-being. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, playing the violin, and volunteering in her community.
Loretta J. Bradley, Ph.D., LPC-S
Dr. Loretta Bradley, a resident of Lubbock TX, holds a Paul Whitfield Horn endowed Professorship in Counselor Education at Texas Tech University. She has served as president of the American Counseling Association, the Association for Counseling Education and Supervision, the International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors, and the Texas Association for Adult Development and Aging. Dr. Bradley has received the TTU Chancellor’s Outstanding Teaching Award and the TTU Presidential Teaching Award (twice). Dr. Bradley has received the annual research award for her outstanding research from ACA, ACES and the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. Dr Bradley is the recipient of the TCA Truax Award, and she was named a fellow of the American Counseling Association. She is licensed in Texas as an LPC, LPC-S, LMFT, and LMFT-S. Further she holds certification as a National Board Certified Counselor, Career Counselor and Supervisor.
Brenda S. Compagnone, LPC-S
Ms. Co
mpagnone of San Antonio is a licensed professional counselor and state approved supervisor. She is the founder of Consulenza Familiare, LLC since 2008. Through her private practice she provides group therapy for PTSD, depression and anxiety disorders. Ms. Compagnone began her career working with children, adolescents, adults and geriatric population in 2008. She is experienced in the treatment and assessment of children, adolescents, adults and geriatric population struggling with a variety of behavioral and mental health issues. Ms. Compagnone is trained in several treatment modalities and uses Mindfulness, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
Ms. Compagnone received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a Master’s degree in Education and Counseling. Ms. Compagnone was appointed to the board by Governor Rick Perry from 2009-2013. In 2015, Ms. Compagnone was re-appointed to the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors by Governor Greg Abbott and continues to serve until the term expires.
Vanessa Hall
Vanessa Hall, resident of Tomball, TX, is owner of JUST US LIMITED in Tomball, TX since 2020. Through JUST US LIMITED, Vanessa provides Life Coaching and Christian Counseling for Individuals and Marriage, Couples Retreats, Wedding Officiating, and Resources and tools to assist individuals or marriages in being functional and healthy. Prior to JUST US LIMITED, Vanessa was owner and general manager of SHAPES Fitness For Women where she and her staff partnered with ladies, enabling them to become healthy and fit from the inside out from 2018 to 2021. In 2014 to 2018, she joined South Texas District Assemblies of God as Women’s Director. In 2009 to 2014, Vanessa launched Disgrace to His Grace Ministries and Grace Matters Ministries as a Christian Speaker and a Bible-teaching radio broadcast that aired in seven states in 2012. In 2012, Vanessa authored EMOTIONS – Up Some Days, Down Other Days. The book shares 12 universal emotions we all experience, while laying the foundation that God is the author of our emotions and His counsel for managing them is best for us. In 2000 to 2014, Vanessa’s career consisted of organizational development training, technical writing, and Human Resources/Organizational Development where she was instrumental in leading groups and processes in various industries. Vanessa holds a Master of Management degree in Human Resources, and Bachelor’s in Business and Communications. Vanessa is an ordained Christian minister, certified Life Coach, and Christian Counselor. She has completed Minirith Christian Counseling and Rational Emotive Spiritual Therapy Programs. Vanessa has volunteered with AIDS Resource Center, Prison Ministries, Women’s Shelter & Food Pantry, and Meals on Wheels. Her favorite recreational pastimes are talking to friends on the phone, and taking long walks plugged into her music. She is the wife to Kenneth Hall and mom of Andrew, Jordan, and Joshua.
Roy Smith
Roy Smith of Midland is the senior pastor of True-Lite Christian Fellowship. He began his ministry as a pastor in Andrews, Texas, and founded New Direction Ministry, an after-care ministry for ex-offenders. He is a member of The Life Center Advisory Board and a local citizen advisory group on criminal justice reform and former board member of the Midland Chamber of Commerce and Midland Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees. He served as pastor for a day for the Texas House of Representatives during the 81st Legislature. Smith attended United Electronics Institute and Grace School of Theology.
Carolyn Janie Stubblefield, M.A., LPC-S
Janie is a Licensed Professional Counselor – Supervisor in Texas, trained in Play Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She has professionally served individuals, families, youth, and children for over two decades through private practice counseling and local community service programs. She is an experienced speaker, trainer, and administrator skilled at using cooperative learning techniques to maximize knowledge acquisition.
In 2011, Janie founded Mobile Counseling, PLLC, a therapeutic counseling practice designed to create a supportive environment where clients can explore their emotional needs and overcome barriers to reach their full potential. Additionally, she provides supervision to Licensed Professional Counselor – Associates, contributing to the development of the next generation of counselors. Along with her counseling practice and supervisory responsibilities, Janie served as an adjunct professor at Richland College where she taught ESOL for more than 15 years.
Janie is actively involved in professional organizations and presently serves as a professional member on the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors, chairperson of the Dallas County Community Resource Coordination Group (CRCG), and a member of the Children’s Mental Health Strategic Plan subcommittee. Her leadership experience includes serving as a past chairperson of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) President’s Assembly Steering Committee, the Adolescent Symposium of Texas, and Texas delegate for Vision 2020. Recognized for her long-term commitment to quality mental health care, Janie received the Pamela Blumenthal Memorial Award from Mental Health America of Greater Dallas in 2023 for her dedication to delivery of services to individuals with mental illness.
A Dallas native, Janie is an alumni of UT-Dallas in Richardson, Texas where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration. While there, she was a founding member of the Epsilon Psi chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta at UT-Dallas. Janie is also an alumni of Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas where she earned two Master’s degrees in Counseling and Biblical Studies.
Janie’s Vision is “to work with individuals and their families to foster and improve relationships, and to positively impact their life.”
Jennifer Winston
Winston was a former adjunct faculty at Stephen F. Austin State University. She also served as the secretary of the Stephen F. Austin Board of Regents. Additionally, she served as a board member of the Humane Society of Angelina County, Nacogdoches County Historical Society, and Oak Creek Center. She currently serves as a board member of the Stephen F. Austin Sate University Foundation. Winston received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and is currently enrolled in a Masters of Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University. She is a type-rated pilot and co-owner of Smitty’s Car Wash.