Ruth Goodwin, Ph.D.
Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) #12874
CEO/Clinical Director
“Dr. Ruth” earned Master Degrees in Marriage & Family Counseling and Religious Education, as well as a Ph.D. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Her B.A. in Social and Behavioral Science is from Mesa State College in Grand Junction, CO. Her work history includes pastoral care, managing MHMR clinics, working in John Peter Smith psychiatric emergency room, and MST Therapy with adjudicated youth. Her post-doctorate was spent doing geriatric and CPS psychological evaluations. Dr. Ruth started Safe Harbor in 2004 in one donated room, and it has now grown to have two locations and currently over 30 team members.
Fran Simpson, M.Ed.
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC-S) #72428
Associate Clinical Director
Fran obtained her Master of Education in Counseling from Tarleton State University in 2013. In her last semester at Tarleton, she did an internship with Safe Haven of Fort Worth, working with victims of domestic violence, doing individual counseling and teaching group classes on the signs of abuse. She continued to volunteer there for a while after graduating but desired to expand her scope of experience. This is when she reached out to Dr. Ruth and her time at Safe Harbor began in 2014. She is also a certified school counselor currently working for Azle ISD as the counselor for Azle Hornet Academy and, most recently, the PreK Center. She enjoys working with teens, young adults, adults, and couples. Fran is also trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), a well-researched trauma technique. EMDR works to help clients put to rest traumatic events that could have been plaguing them for a lifetime. Fran considers it a privilege to guide clients in their process toward healing and hope. Clients often need to be reminded that it is God’s desire to give us beauty for ashes! Isaiah 61:3
Linly Crawford, M.Ed.
Licensed Professional Counselor #73626
Linly brings to Safe Harbor a diverse background in working with children and families through more than 18 years as a schoolteacher. She received her M.Ed. in counseling which expanded her expertise to school counseling, and she remains a consultative counselor for Weatherford Christian Schools. She gained further experience helping families through grief situations at The WARM Place in Ft Worth. She is a compassionate therapist, utilizing Cognitive Behavior Therapy to assist the client in exchanging false thoughts and beliefs, for true thoughts and beliefs.
Sylvia Lantzer, M.Ed.
Licensed Professional Counselor #80127
Sylvia graduated from Texas Wesleyan University with her Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She continued to complete her Master's Degree in Education and Professional Counseling from Grand Canyon University. She is currently working on her Ph.D. in Education and Organizational Leadership. She’s worked in the field of Education for over 25 years. Sylvia is bilingual in English and Spanish.
Michele L Lowen, M.A., M.Ed., CSC, LPC-A
Licensed Professional Counselor Associate #88580 supervised by:
Ruthie Goodwin, Ph.D. | Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor #12874
Michele received her Master of Education in Counseling (MEd.) from Texas Christian University and a Master of Arts in Counseling (M.A.) from B.H. Carroll Theological Institute. Her first career as an educator has spanned more than 20 years allowing her to serve students and families in all grades K-12. As an LPC Associate at Safe Harbor, she works with adolescents through adults applying an integrative and holistic approach to mental health and wellness. She trained in EMDR, Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), Solution Focused Therapy, Biblical Counseling, ADHD-CE, and other evidence-based modalities. Her favorite book of the Bible is Philippians, the book of “Joy.” She believes God is our healer and champion, the lifter of our heads and our intercessor, praying for us even when we cannot utter a sound. She believes love truly conquers all, and her prayer for you, like the Apostle Paul’s to the church at Philippi, is that your love may abound more and more as you learn and grow! (Philippians 1:9-11)
William Rusnak, M.A., LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor #77592
After earning a Master's degree in Counseling from Dallas Baptist University, “Willie” became a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas. He works with adolescents and adults utilizing a wide range of techniques that are grounded in evidence-based modalities.
Elisha Drake, M.Ed.
Licensed Professional Counselor
Elisha received her Master of Education in Counseling (M.Ed.) from Tarleton State University. She also has a Bachelor of Science degree from Tarleton in Interdisciplinary Studies. She is also a certified school counselor. Her past experience includes teaching first grade, school counseling, as well as working with kids under Special Education who have an emotional disturbance or autism. Her specialty in counseling includes marriages, depression, anxiety, children, and mental disorders. Elisha’s desire is to see people seek inner potential to be “their best” in life using therapeutic interventions from a Christian perspective.
Eryn Whiting, M.A.
Licensed Professional Counselor #79392
Eryn graduated from Liberty University's Professional Counseling Program. She currently works with women, couples, and children, exploring problems of depression, emotional abuse, couples counseling, and self-esteem. She also addresses spiritual confusion and development.
Marty Parrish, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor
Marty received his B.A. in Psychology and his M.ED. in Counseling degrees from East Carolina University. He received his Ph.D. from Cornerstone University. He specializes in marriage and family counseling as well as Blended Families. He is a former Air Force and Airline pilot with over 40 years of aviation experience. After retiring from aviation he desired to “give back” to his community by fulfilling his lifelong dream of sharing God’s love and grace with those in need.
Bryan McLain, B.S., M.Ed., M.A. Counseling
Licensed Professional Counselor Associate #87206 supervised by:
Ruthie Goodwin, Ph.D. | Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor #12874
Although counseling is his second career, Bryan McLain has always had deep compassion for others. Bryan spent 30 years in education – he taught 5th & 6th grade successfully for 11 years & then served as an elementary and middle school principal for 19 years before recently retiring in order to go back to school to obtain his counseling degree. He has a Master’s degree in School Leadership and a Master's Degree in Counseling.
He especially enjoys working with children & adolescents & thinks there is nothing more exciting than making a real difference in a client’s life. Bryan finds great purpose in helping youth with self-esteem issues & helping empower clients to see their inherent self-worth as they realize they MATTER!
Bryan also specializes in working with clients who have experienced grief and loss in their lives as well as depression, anxiety, anger, & abuse issues. He is a person-centered counselor who uses principles & strategies from Cognitive Behavior Therapy to empower clients to be more successful & live more productive & satisfying lives, and he is trained and certified in DBT - Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Bryan is a very empathetic & collaborative counselor who recognizes that we all want to be truly seen for who we are & unconditionally accepted.
His Christian faith is extremely important to him & he believes that “when you honor God, He honors you!”
Katelyn Lara, LPC-A, NCC
Licensed Professional Counselor Associate #87918 supervised by:
Ruthie Goodwin, Ph.D. | Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor #12874
Prior to being in the mental health field, Katelyn taught 10th grade English for 6 years. Over the course of that time, she realized the impact and importance of relationships. While it may be true that it just takes one person to influence your life, both positively or negatively, there is only one person who can truly CHANGE your life – you! Let's face it, life is hard at times! It's easier if you have coping skills, healthy relationships, and direction. God wants you to enjoy your life. His word says that the enemy’s purpose is to “...steal and kill and destroy,” but God’s purpose is to give you “...a rich and satisfying life.” The question is: Are you living a full, abundant life?
Katelyn holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of North Texas and a Master’s degree in Clinical/Mental Health Counseling from Southern New Hampshire University. She is involved in her local church and aims to be a positive, bright-shining light to everyone she meets. Her goal is to remind you that you didn’t come this far just to come this far.
Matthew 5:14-15
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.”
Perry Pogue, M Ed
Licensed Professional Counselor Associate #86247 supervised by:
Ruthie Goodwin, Ph.D. | Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor #12874
Perry received his Bachelor of Science in counseling and has two Master’s Degree, Human Services Counseling and Clinical Counseling, from Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU). As a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, Perry’s heart is in helping couples navigate through past and current issues. He works with all types of addiction and those struggling with anger, bitterness, and resentments. Perry has been involved in Prison Ministry, Divorce Care, Celebrate Recovery, A.A. groups, and Anger Management programs. His hope is through a trusting relationship, healing will begin as we come along with one another in understanding that a power greater than us can make one whole again. Perry is retired from the United States Air Force. He also has a degree in Horticulture and is a Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas. He enjoys spending time in the yard with nature, metal detecting, kayaking, and antiquing with his bride, which keeps life exciting!
