Our Counseling Team

Eren Turner, M.A., LPC-Supervisor - Executive Director

Eren received her Master's degree in Counseling Psychology from Texas Woman's University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and is an approved by the State of Texas to supervise therapist working towards licensure. Eren trained as an intern at Youth and Family Counseling and was hired on as a therapist after graduation. After spending several years counseling at YFC, Eren worked as a crisis counselor for Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD working with teenagers at Boswell High School. More recently, she has run her own private practice, which specialized in adolescents, adults, and couples counseling, as well as worked as a play therapist for children in the foster care system. She recently returned to Youth and Family as Executive Director and is enjoying being back at the center in this new role. Eren continues to counsel some clients, in addition to supervising interns and managing the agency.

Mary Helen Cuellar -Administrative Assistant

Abi Akere, M.A., NCC, LPC-Intern -Therapist

Ann Arcuri, M.A., NCC, LPC -Therapist

Ann grew up in Scotland and still has traces of her Scots accent.  She has been with  Youth and Family since October 2010 and currently sees clients four afternoons and nights per week. She holds a National Board of Certified Counselors license and  is a Licensed Professional Counselor. Ann obtained dual Bachelors degrees from Texas Woman’s University in Psychology and Sociology and later a Master’s degree in Counseling and Development. Now she is working on her Ph.D. in forensic psychology. Annj is currently also working at Texas Treatment Centers in Denton, helping clients with substance abuse issues. She has also worked for Friends of the Family conducting group therapy for perpetrators of family violence and at the Cumberland Presbyterian Home providing counseling for CPS referred children. Ann’s preferred counseling approach is cognitive behavior therapy, with which she has had demonstrated much success at Youth and Family Counseling.

Chelsie Ayers, M.A.,  LPC-Intern -Therapist

Chelsie has a Master's of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology from Texas Women's University, as well as a Bachelor's in Psychology from Texas Tech University. She is working on her LPC license under the supervision of Youth and Family's director, Eren Turner, M.A., LPC-S. In addition to the agency, Chelsie also works as a case manager for Denton County MHMR. She has experience in individual, couples, and family counseling, as well as play therapy. Chelsie has an interest in women's issues and body esteem, as well as addiction and recovery. Chelsie incorporates many theoretical orientations in her treatment style, including cognitive-behavioral, family systems, and person-centered. As she works towards licensure, Chelsie is currently under the supervision of Eren Turner, M.A., LPC-S.

Sonia Duque-Miyashita, M.A., LPC, NCC, LCDC -Therapist

Sonia is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a National Certified Counselor, and a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor. With several years of experience in the counseling field, making a positive difference has been her calling in life. This includes helping traumatized and abused children, adolescents, and adults, as well as families who are experiencing addictions, mental disorders and domestic violence issues. In addition to this being Sonia’s third year working at Youth and Family, she also has experience in the private practice area and prior work experience with Child Protective Services, Dallas County Court House, Catholic Charities of Dallas, Battered Shelters including working with victims of human trafficking and with Mental Health/Mental Retardation of Tarrant County agency. Sonia is also one of the few Bilingual Therapists in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Michelle Fernandez, M.A, LPC-Intern, LMFT-Associate-Therapist

Michelle earned her Master's degree in Counseling from Dallas Baptist University. She is one of Youth and Family Counseling's bilingual therapists, conducting sessions in both English and Spanish. She has several years experience working with suicide assessment and intervention, and has spent time working at the Irving Family Advocacy Center counseling children, adolescents, adults, couples and families with a variety of presenting problems. She has also spent time co-leading groups for women affected by domestic violence. Due to her time working for an insurance company, Michelle also has extensive knowlege in diagnostic criteria for mental illnesses, as well as psychiatric medications. As she works towards licensure, Michelle is currently under the supervision of Dr. Keith Coburn.

 Tricia Gordon, M.A., NCC, LPC - Therapist

Sharon Lopez, M.S., LPC-Intern - Therapist

 Sharon earned her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology in April 2011. She completed her practicum at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in 2010-2011. Currently, she works as an intern under the supervision of Dr. Guy Chandler, D.Phil, LMFT, LPC-S. Sharon has experience working with adolescents, individuals, and couples. Counseling is approached from a broad theory base with an emphasis on cognitive-behavioral techniques.

Mallory Ryckman, M.A., LMFT-Associate -Therapist

Mallory earned her Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Appalachian State University. In addition to her current work in private practice with HopeWorks Counseling in Plano, Mallory's experience includes work as a clinical intern with New River Behavioral Healthcare, facilitator for intensive outpatient substance abuse groups, counseling intern with Hope Pregnancy Center and brief supportive therapist in the Avery County jail. Mallory offers adolescent, adult, couples and family counseling for a wide array of issues working primarily from a solution-focused, family systems approach. She is also a certified Prepare/Enrich facilitator for premarital and marital counseling.