MEET OUR COUNSELORS
“At the heart of every problem is a problem of the heart.”
It is an honor and a privilege to walk with you and help you discern the story that God is writing in you life. We are able to do that through two avenues. One avenue is through the use mentorship and Therapon Belief Therapy. These individuals provide biblical guidance, but apart from state licensure. The second avenue is through a Licensed Professional Counselor. These counselors are clinically trained and hold state license and are provisionally or fully licensed through the Louisiana LPC Board of Examiners. Our licensed counselors use biblical integration to the level that each individual client is comfortable with. No matter the level of care you’re seeking, we feel it is a privileged to walk with you through the up’s and down’s of life.
Non-Licensed Certified Therapy Providers
ABBY SHIELDS
FOUNDER OF NHLB
BOARD CERTIFIED THERAPON
BELIEF THERAPIST
As an educator for 18 years, Abby Shields witnessed first-hand the tragic effects of wounded families and felt called to leave education and help fight the injustices against children and families. In 1992, Abby trusted Christ as her Lord and Savior. Over time, God began to give her eyes to see that the injustices she was fighting ultimately stemmed from a much greater spiritual or “heart problem.” God showed her that you can’t fix spiritual problems with worldly solutions. From this truth, with God’s direction and an obedient heart, Abby formed the NHLB foundation in 2006.
Today, she serves as NHLB’s founder and Board Certified Belief Therapist.
Dr. Lance Bourgeois
Lance has served in full-time pastoral ministry for more than 25 years. Born and raised in Baton Rouge, he and Ellen returned “home” in the fall of 2024. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from LSU, a Master of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary in Family Life Education, and a Doctor of Ministry in Youth, Family, and Culture from Fuller Theological Seminary.
Over that time, he has continued to seek additional training in the issues that so frequently come up in pastoral counseling. He trained with Larry Crabb at Crabb’s School of Spiritual Direction, in communication and conflict resolution utilizing the Christian Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREPinc.com) model, and in premarital and marriage counseling through the Prepare/Enrich Inventory (Prepare-Enrich.com). Built on the firm conviction that “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man and woman of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16–17),” he seeks to walk with people in helping them better understand the roadblocks in their lives that are inhibiting their fellowship with Christ and those around them.
Licensed and Pre-Licensed Counseling Providers
JESSICA KNIBBS, PLPC, NBCC
B.S. PSYCHOLOGY LOYOLA UNIVERSITY
M.A. CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING UNIVERSITY OF THE CUMBERLANDS
Jessica is a provisionally licensed professional counselor under the supervision of a board approved licensed professional counselor supervisor. She earned her B.S. in psychology from Loyola University in New Orleans. She also received a M.A. degree from the University of the Cumberlands. Jessica counsels using an integrated biblical perspective, with focuses in Client Centered and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Areas of focus:
Spiritual Growth & Identity
Relationship Issues
Stress/Burnout
Trauma
PTSD
Grief and Loss
Seeing clients 18 year and up
“My heart for counseling stems from my own personal relationship with Jesus and the healing journey He has walked me through to overcome the wounds of my past. I use biblical principles along with my clinical training to create a safe space, that is holy spirit led and free from judgement allowing my clients to unpack and process their burdens. I am eager to support and empower each client as they seek healing and work towards establishing a more fulfilling and meaningful life.”
NOW ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS - Email jknibbs@noheartleftbehind .
Dori Leeman, LPC
Dori’s Bio - COMING SOON
NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS - Email dleeman@noheartleftbehind to be added to waitlist.
Michael Leeman, LPC-S
Michael’s Bio - COMING SOON
NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS - Email mleeman@noheartleftbehind to be added to waitlist.
LAURA FREEMAN, PLMFT
B.S. SPEECH COMMUNICATIONS OUCHITA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
M.A. MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY - NORTH CENTRAL UNIVERSITY
Laura is a master level clinician under the supervision of a board approved licensed professional counselor. A Dallas, Texas native, she earned a bachelors degree in speech communications from Ouchita Baptist University. She also holds a masters degree in marriage and family therapy from North Central University. Her passion is to provide a judgement-free space for her clients to process their grief, trauma, and other personal and family challenges.
Areas of focus:
Parenting
Marriage
Teenagers
Grief
Trauma
Seasons of Transition
Coping Skills
“My passion for counseling and teaching comes from a desire to help people understand themselves. During school, I was able to see how counseling gives me the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and help people experience healing and freedom. As one of my supervisors once told me, “We, as counselors, simply bind their wounds, but it is Jesus who heals them.”
NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS
Affordable Counseling For All
At the heart of No Heart Left Behind’s counseling ministry is the desire to make counseling affordable to everyone. We firmly believe that a family or individual’s healing should not be hindered by finances. Therefore, the fee for NHLB’s counselors is simply a love offering based on the principle of 2nd Corinthians 9:7 that says, “ Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” If you would like to donate to our efforts of continuing to provide quality, affordable counseling you can donate below. Your donations of any size are a blessing to us!