MEET THE TEAM

Jennifer Wood, LPC-S

Co-Owner

Licensed Professional Counselor - Supervisor

Jennifer graduated from East Texas Baptist University in May 2000 with a BA in Psychology. In 2002, she graduated with an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from The University of Louisiana at Monroe. She has been fully licensed since 2006, and in 2012 received her Supervisor License. It has been her privilege to have been in private practice for the past 16 years.

Jennifer has worked in various settings to provide counseling to adults, families, and children. Her specialties and experience includes: marriage and family issues, grief, bereavement, infidelity, eating disorders, depression, personality disorders, co-dependency, play therapy, and spiritual issues.

Jennifer has a deep heart calling to serve those who are hurting. She believes in God’s sovereignty, and that He created us to experience joy, hope and peace. She is passionate about helping her clients connect with God and build meaningful and healthy relationships with those around them.

Jennifer and her husband have been married for 23 years. She enjoys playing piano, photography, and traveling and exploring creation. They have 2 sons and live in Tyler.

“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; but then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” I Corinthians 13:12

Erin Young, LCSW-S

Co-Owner

Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Supervisor

Erin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Supervisor (LCSW-S) with two degrees in Social Work, a Bachelors degree from The University of North Texas in Denton, TX in 2002 in Social Work and a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work in 2004 from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA.

In addition to private counseling practice Erin has experience working in a variety of counseling settings, including services for foster care and adoption, elementary education, and children’s health care.

Erin is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Brain Gym, and Trauma. She incorporates these tools into her counseling sessions. Erin specializes in the treatment of PTSD, complex trauma, anxiety disorders, depression, complicated grief, phobias, dissociation, pain disorders, fibromyalgia, conversion disorder, and ADD/ ADHD. Erin is also trained in family therapy and Heart-Focused Biblical Counseling. Her specialty is counseling children, adolescents, individual adults, and families.  

Erin works closely with The Epilepsy Center at Northeast Texas Neurological Associates located in Tyler, TX, specializing in stress based psychogenic nonepileptic seizures and stress based illnesses.  She leads a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy program that is committed to helping patients take control of their seizures and health, thus improving their quality of life.

In Erin’s spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. She enjoys yoga, reading, and traveling.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Jill Kirkley, LPC

Licensed professional Counselor

Jill Kirkley is a faith-based, licensed professional counselor with over 25 years of clinical experience. Jill points individuals to seek faith in an all-sufficient God who offers hope. Our faith in Christ forms the foundation and framework for sound decision-making and there is wisdom in seeking biblical guidance in order to sort through and resolve life’s challenges.

At times, we place our trust in others to meet our needs or even in our own ability to control our circumstances, only to find them insufficient. Meaningful change is a work of the Holy Spirit as we submit to God and seek his will. He has given us a Helper, the Holy Spirit, who empowers, comforts, and guides us through each step. Ultimately, God is interested in changing our hearts, for out of the heart flows all the issues of life.

Jill works with adult individuals who are struggling with relationship issues, coping with life transitions, trauma recovery, grief and loss, resolving guilt, anger, shame, depression, anxiety, abuse recovery, spiritual issues, and ministry issues. She is trained in focused relaxation and Multi-channel Eye Movement Integration (MEMI) to help individuals process and integrate traumatic experiences.

Jill earned a bachelor of science degree in Rehabilitation and a Master’s in Counseling from Stephen F. Austin State University. She is married to a minister who has been in ministry for over 40 years, and finds joy in her relationship with her spouse, her kids, and grand kids.

“May the God of hope fill you with all peace and joy as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:1315:13

Additionally, She has a certificate in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a certificate in Integrative (functional) Mental Health treatment (CIMPH), and is certified in Nutritional Psychology, Trauma-Focused CBT and Prepare Enrich, a biblical marital and premarital couples.

Alyx works primarily with family groupings, co-parenting, parent-child duos, couples, and individual adolescents and adults. She has experience working with severe and persistent mental illness in teens and adults, comorbid emotional and addictive disorders, life adjustment, PTSD, communication, conflict and estrangement in family groups.

"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9‭-‬10 ESV

Misty Shultz, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

As a Licensed Professional Counselor, Misty is passionate about equipping others to heal through their trials in order to walk in joy, freedom, and peace.

After graduating from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Behavioral Analysis, Misty received Master’s degrees in Marriage and Family Counseling and Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Since receiving her counseling license in 2009, Misty has become a Certified Life Coach, a Natural Health Practitioner, and is currently pursuing her doctorate in Wholistic Naturopathy.

Having walked through her own trials of loss, grief, sickness, and strife, Misty has a deep personal understanding of how trauma affects an individual - body, soul, and spirit. Her own journey gives Misty not only great compassion and empathy, but also experiential knowledge about the process necessary for healing to occur. Pain, disappointment, betrayal, and illness can leave us feeling “stuck”, anxious, and even hopeless. Thankfully, though, there IS hope! Through both group and individual counseling / coaching sessions, Misty helps clients move out of the dark place of discouragement and into a place of physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

This “triune” approach to healing focuses on the whole person, a “triune” being created in the image of a “triune” God. Thus, Misty addresses not only the mental / emotional component of healing, but also the physical and spiritual aspects of the healing process as she utilizes both counseling and educational resources to facilitate personal healing and breakthrough. Misty’s greatest desire is to see people move from surviving to thriving. She seeks to instill identity and impart wisdom as she equips her clients to heal so that they may joyfully fulfill the purpose for which they were created.

Misty lives in Tyler with her beautiful daughter and enjoys nothing more than being “mom” to her favorite person in the world. When she has a little free time, Misty enjoys reading, hiking, providing hospitality, and relaxing on the back porch with a cup of tea and Jesus.

There are four verses that have shaped Misty’s faith, ministry, and understanding:

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I (Jesus) came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

Kim Gonzales, LMSW

Licensed Master Social Work - Supervised by Erin Young, LCSW-S

Kim is a Licensed Master Social Worker with over 25 years of experience in schools and as a Mental Health director and trainer of social workers. Kim has been a member of Jarvis Christian University’s social work board since 2016.

She served as a youth director and teacher at her church. Her work has focused on strengthening support systems by ensuring effective, ethical, and relationship-centered practices preparing youth for their future.

Kim and her husband have two sons and have been married since 1999. In 2019, their family became licensed as foster parents. Since that time, they have had over 20 foster children come through their home. Kim uses TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Intervention) and methods from The Whole-Brain Child on a daily basis.

Kim recognizes the need to offer a compassionate, open-minded space where women can feel seen, heard, and supported. Whether it’s stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, relationship issues, spiritual concerns, parenting, depression, or trauma, she creates a safe, relaxed environment for collaborative problem-solving and building coping skills.

Kim creates an atmosphere for women that is genuine, supportive, and nonjudgmental, aiming to help clients feel validated and respectfully challenged. As a solution-focused therapist, she uses techniques tailored to each individual, providing realistic feedback to help clients move past struggles and long-standing issues.

Let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven.

Matthew 5:16

Kelley Bell, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Kelley is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC).

Kelley has worked in the field of education for over 30 years, serving as a professional school counselor in both public and private Christian schools for the past 18 years. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics, a Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling, and a post graduate Certificate in Mental Health Counseling. Working as a school counselor, she has a desire to encourage her students to recognize their value and embrace their worth in the Lord and choose to find joy in all circumstances. She is excited to extend this passion by serving her clients at The Bridge.

Kelley has been involved in prayer ministries for teens, young women and mothers of teens for many years and is passionate about sharing the privilege of being in God’s presence. She is a member of Grace Community Church in Tyler where she is active in the women’s ministry. Kelley and her husband have been married for 33 years and they are blessed with two children, two children-in-law and two grandsons.

Kelley is passionate about helping teens and young adults who are struggling with anxiety, depression, stress, grief, self-harm, and family issues. She also desires to help parents through the challenges that can come with parenting as well as working with young married couples to develop healthy marriages centered around the Lord. Kelley is trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy and uses various techniques throughout the counseling process. She truly believes that counseling from a biblical perspective allows one to experience an unexplainable joy as they journey through the healing process.

Kelley’s life verse is 1 Thessalonians 5:16, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Denise Santos, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Denise is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). She graduated from Texas A&M International University in December 2020 with a BA in Psychology and in December 2023 with an MA in Counseling Psychology. 

Denise views counseling as more than a career – it is a calling rooted in compassion, connection, and the belief that everyone deserves a safe space to be heard and supported. She is passionate about helping guide and uplift clients through life’s challenges and celebrations, empowering them to grow, heal, and thrive.

Denise has worked in various settings – private practice, community mental health and rehabilitation –to provide counseling to children, adolescents, and adults. Her specialties and experience include: anxiety, depression, anger, infidelity, grief, bereavement, unexpected life transitions, brain injury and stroke survivors. Denise has experience working collaboratively with multiple disciplines such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy teams to provide comprehensive, client-centered care.  Her experience across diverse populations and treatment settings has strengthened her ability to tailor interventions, foster resilience, and support clients in rebuilding confidence and rediscovering purpose.

In Denise’s spare time she enjoys slowing down with a good book and a great cup of coffee, traveling, and spending quality time with her boyfriend, family and friends, and her two dogs.

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Romans 8:18

Sarah is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy and has worked with those who experience anxiety, depression, self-harm/suicidal ideation, anger, trauma, navigating relationships, and ADHD. Sarah enjoys working with both individuals and couples and sees people ages 13 and up. 

As a counselor, Sarah believes that every person should have a space where they can share without fear of judgment or shame. She wants to walk with you as you seek mental wellness in all facets of your life. Seeking counseling is often a challenge, but you are worth it!

Sarah and her husband have been married for 6 years and welcomed their first baby boy into their family in 2025. She enjoys reading, playing boardgames, camping and spending time with her family. 

The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them. Proverbs 20:5 

Kalynne Arrick

Office Administration

Kalynne graduated from LeTourneau University in 2012 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at University of the Cumberlands.

For over a decade, Kalynne has owned and operated her photography business, where she has worked closely with families, children, and individuals during meaningful and often vulnerable moments in their lives. Through those experiences, she developed a deep appreciation for listening well, building trust, and helping people feel seen, understood, and valued.

Her desire to pursue counseling has been shaped not only by her professional experiences, but also by personal experiences with grief, hardship, healing, and growth. These experiences deepened her compassion for others, and she felt the Lord's calling to walk alongside people during difficult seasons of life.

Kalynne is especially passionate about supporting children and families, with a particular interest in play therapy and relationship dynamics. She hopes to help create spaces where people feel safe to grow, process, and heal.

Outside of work, Kalynne enjoys spending time with her husband and three sons, creative projects, gardening, and finding beauty in everyday life. Her faith, compassion, and genuine care for others remain at the heart of both her personal life and professional relationships.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:22-24