Our Staff
Michelle Trenton
Michelle Trenton attended McNeese State University for her B.A. in psychology and went on to the University of Southern Missisippi to earn her M.S. in Counseling Psychology. She worked for three years in Mississippi with children and families in the public mental health system before she moved back to Louisiana. She has worked for Samaritan Counseling Center since November 1995. Michelle's specialties include preschool-age children, gifted children, teenagers, families, couples, single women, and trauma work. She sees clients with issues involving anxiety, depression, ADHD, death of a parent, divorcing parents, bipolar disorder, and survivors of traumatic events such as hurricanes, car wrecks, and witnesses to crimes.Victoria (not her real name) was really struggling. Victoria was an extremely bright teenager who was having a hard time making the grades that she was quite capable of achieving. Worse yet, she was involved with friends that were encouraging her to make all the wrong choices. Her father was absentee most of her life, and her stepfather had died a few years ago. She and her mother were not getting along and arguing all the time. To Victoria her it seemed God had let her down, so why try? As we worked together, Victoria discovered that her mother was her greatest asset and not her enemy. Her mother learned how to build trust with a teenager that was not always trustworthy and that screaming and arguing at Victoria was not the answer. Through exploring their strengths, they learned to work together as a team instead of pushing each others’ buttons and talk to each other calmly and that pushing each others' buttons was not the answer. Victoria picked up her grades, found an expressive group of peers which allowed her the ability to be herself and her talents blossom without being self destructive. that were not self-destructive, and She was able to learned how to work toward being an adult while still having fun, which has helped her to become a productive citizen of our society. She discovered that God was right there with her even though her biological father had let her down. Our work together was not easy work all the time, but Victoria realizes that she is truly living up to20her potential due to the help she received from Samaritan Counseling Center.
As a counselor, I appreciate the opportunity that Samaritan Counseling Center gives me to assist people every day in their journey of healing. It is very rewarding to watch a family go from arguing and conflict to reaching an understanding of each other. I am honored that people give me the chance to walk with them on a part of their journey. – Michelle
Brenda Hollenbeck
Brenda Hollenbeck, Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, has worked for Samaritan Counseling Center for 12 years. Her 2 primary areas of focus are marriage and couples therapy and grief and loss issues. Hollenbeck assists couples in focusing on how to create a healthy relationship while moving beyond individual differences. She acknowledges that marriage does entail work, but adds that couples have often forgotten how to have fun and have lost the joy in the relationship. Her goal is to help couples reconnect in a healthy way.
Hollenbeck also has an interest in helping clients work through grief and loss. She developed her skills in this area while working in a cancer support program, where she provided therapy and support for cancer patients and their families.
Brenda pays special attention to the faith and belief systems of her clients. Integrating the spiritual strengths of a client into his/her therapy flows naturally from the idea that our underlying beliefs about God and the nature of the world influence both our thoughts and behaviors.
Paul Godeaux
Paul Godeaux, L.P.C.,L.M.F.T., M.P.S., is director of the Clergy and Congregational Care Program, which provides assistance to clergy and congregations of Southwest Louisiana. Godeaux earned a Master of Science degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola, and a Master of Science degree in counseling from University of Southern Mississippi.
Whether it is in personal counseling, educating congregations about relationships or family issues, setting boundaries for laity activities, or education on mental health subjects, Samaritan counselors, like myself, are equipped to be a support for those who would like to grow their effectiveness in ministry. – Paul
John Morgan, M.A., LPC, LMFT
John Morgan, M.A., LPC, LMFT, is licensed as both a professional counselor and a marriage and family therapist. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from McNeese State University, and a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Morgan has over 12 years of experience in the mental health field and has an extensive background in both group and individual counseling. He will be seeing clients at Samaritan’s main Lake Charles location and is available for evening appointments.
James Bailey, LPC
James Bailey, LPC, is a licensed professional counselor. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Masters Degree in Psychology from McNeese State University. He was also awarded Board Certification by the National Board for Certified Counselors. Bailey has worked as a counselor for over 25 years, and has a wide range of experience in treating all types of psychological disorders for individuals and couples. Mr. Bailey will be seeing clients at our satellite office in DeRidder with appointments being scheduled by calling our main office at 337-433-4357.