About Us

The Progressive Center for Counseling (&) Justice was founded to be a place of healing, restoration, and empowerment, combining the love of Christ with practical support for those in need. Our mission is to provide holistic care—offering mental health counseling and legal advocacy—while upholding the values of justice, mercy, and compassion found in the teachings of Jesus Christ.

This center was born from the vision of Dr. Charlie E. Dates, Senior Pastor of Progressive Baptist Church, who believes that the church is called to meet both the spiritual and tangible needs of the community. Deeply inspired by the biblical command to “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8), Pastor Dates envisioned a space where individuals could find peace, guidance, and justice under one roof. His desire is to reflect Christ’s love not only through the preaching of the Gospel but through action—offering healing for the soul and help for the body.

The center is designed to serve those navigating the challenges of life, from personal struggles such as grief, anxiety, and family conflicts, to broader systemic issues like injustice, poverty, and inequity. Our Counseling Services, in partnership with Siv Counseling & Consultation, provide compassionate, Christ-centered care, while our Legal Clinics offer expert advice on matters like divorce, child custody, landlord/tenant disputes, and more. We are here to walk alongside those in need, helping to break the chains of injustice and offer hope through faith.

With Pastor Dates' leadership and a dedicated team of counselors, attorneys, and volunteers, we are committed to creating a space where God’s love is not just spoken but demonstrated through compassionate service. No matter what you’re facing, we want you to know God loves you, and so do we! The C(&)J center stands as a beacon of hope and faith, standing as both a place of refuge and healing, and a stronghold for justice in our community.

Meet our team of Licensed Therapists

  • I love working with people of all ages. I believe play and creativity can open surprising doors to wellness and healing—whether that looks like using art materials to explore emotions or guided visualizations to gently get to the root of an experience or issue. My passion is to offer a warm, collaborative space where we move at a pace that fits you and use tools that match your needs, so you feel supported, seen, and safe to grow.

    To that end, I specialize in creative/expressive therapy, trauma care with EMDR, child/teen & family support, and anxiety.

  • With a strong foundation in both clinical practice and spiritual integration, I specialize in helping clients find healing and growth by blending psychological principles with spiritual insight. I am dedicated to creating a safe, supportive space where clients can explore their faith and spirituality as integral parts of their mental health journey. My approach is compassionate and holistic, aiming to empower you to connect with your inner strengths, align with your values, and foster a deeper sense of peace and purpose in your life.

  • As a counselor deeply passionate about the Internal Family Systems (IFS) approach, I am committed to helping clients explore and understand the various parts of themselves that influence their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Through IFS, I guide clients in fostering a compassionate and non-judgmental relationship with these internal parts, leading to greater self-awareness, healing, and personal growth. My goal is to empower you to find harmony within, unlocking the potential for profound transformation and a more balanced, fulfilling life.

  • As a licensed EMDR therapist, I utilize Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to help clients process traumatic memories from a new perspective within a safe environment. This therapeutic approach involves bilateral stimulation through eye movements or hand taps. If trauma has impacted your life, we can explore incorporating EMDR into our therapeutic work.

Keren Diaz de Leon, MA 

  • Healing begins when people feel seen, heard, and supported. My counseling style is grounded in honesty, compassion, integrity, collaboration, and self-awareness. I don’t claim to have all the answers at the start, but I’m committed to walking alongside you—navigating hard seasons and finding what truly works for you. I tailor sessions using Person-Centered Therapy, CBT, Narrative Therapy, Art Therapy, and Integrative Therapy. Sometimes that means gently exploring painful experiences; other times it means using creativity to process, reflect, and grow.

    My path to counseling shaped the way I care. I spent five years leading groups with Weight Watchers and fifteen years in law enforcement—experiences that showed me the weight people carry in moments of crisis and deepened my commitment to safe, judgment-free spaces. My background in photography and design also informs my work: creativity isn’t just art—it’s a way to survive, heal, and rewrite your story.

    For many, faith and spirituality are central to healing. I honor this by respecting your beliefs and offering a nonjudgmental space to explore the spiritual dimensions of your journey alongside clinical work. Whether your strength comes from a specific tradition, a broader spiritual practice, or a quiet sense of inner peace, we’ll consider how those values can offer meaning, direction, and hope as you heal.

    To that end, I specialize in trauma & post-traumatic stress; first responders & frontline professionals; anxiety, stress & burnout; identity & self-worth; healing through creative expression; and support for underrepresented communities.

  • As a counselor, I am passionate about supporting women as they navigate the transitions that come with the normal human lifespan, particularly those tied to the empty nest, the challenges of ageism, and the quest to find meaning in later adulthood. These experiences can often trigger feelings of uncertainty or loss, yet they also offer opportunities for growth and reinvention. I aim to create a nurturing space where women can explore their evolving identities, process the emotional complexities of these changes, and discover ways to live this next stage of life with purpose and fulfillment.

    If you are considering counseling related to any of these issues, I would welcome the opportunity to sit down for a free 15 minute consultation to explore whether we might be a “good fit” therapeutically. Please reach out and we can arrange this.

Tykeith (TK) Nelson 

Jennifer Ngaonye, MA, LPC 

  • My joy is to parter with clients on their journey towards mental wellness as they rediscover and align themselves with the lives they desire to live. I believe that everyone has great purpose and value and my goal is to partner with my clients to hold space for them to feel seen, heard, and embraced where they are at with whatever they are navigating. Together we will explore the obstacles challenging your present experiences in order to move towards wholistic transformation and a healthier sense of self.

    My passion is in working with individuals, couples, and families from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. I have experience coming alongside clients who are navigating anxiety, depression, transitions in life, grief, and trauma. I am also a trained EMDR therapist.

  • I believe our spiritual makeup significantly influences how we navigate life's challenges. While exploring the impact of mental health issues, I also prioritize integrating spiritual aspects into our work. As a Christian, I find it essential to incorporate Biblical truths into mental health practices to embark on a deeper and more meaningful healing journey that only Jesus can provide. I cherish the opportunity to walk alongside clients in all facets of their faith journey, encouraging them to explore and deepen their spirituality.

  • Conflict is a part of life that most of us would rather avoid, yet it is something we all encounter. My role as a therapist is to equip clients with the tools and encouragement needed to confront conflict, establish boundaries, and honor themselves and others. No conflict is too big or small to bring into therapy; all can lead to anxiety, worry, or stress, making daily functioning more challenging.

  • As a licensed EMDR therapist, I utilize Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to help clients process traumatic memories from a new perspective within a safe environment. This therapeutic approach involves bilateral stimulation through eye movements or hand taps. If trauma has impacted your life, we can explore incorporating EMDR into our therapeutic work.

    My hope for every client is to achieve a deeper understanding of their emotions, spirituality, relationships, and needs, and to share this understanding with others in their lives. Together, we can contribute to making the world a better place.

Markita Mitchell, MA

  • My passion: My approach to counseling is rooted in my belief that providing therapeutic clinical support in our current culture is extremely important. We are often expected to absorb and accept life stressors and trauma on a daily basis, which can unravel the plans and progress we've worked so hard to achieve. My passion is supporting individuals who face anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, stress, and substance use disorders through creating a nurturing and empathetic therapeutic environment where creativity and growth can thrive.

    To that end, I specialize in community reinforcement approach procedures, trauma informed care, and therapeutic interventions that promote healing and resilience.

  • Within the therapeutic relationship, my goal is to create a safe space that recognizes how trauma impacts every aspect of our lives. Using trauma informed care principles, I work to help clients process their experiences in a way that promotes healing rather than re-traumatization. I understand that trauma can unravel our sense of safety and progress, and I'm committed to helping you rebuild that foundation with compassion and expertise.

  • The incorporation of faith and spirituality within the therapeutic relationship is highly welcomed in my practice. For clients who find strength and meaning in their spiritual beliefs, I'm excited to integrate these important aspects of your life into our work together, recognizing the deep impact faith can have on healing and personal growth.

  • When we're facing multiple challenges, sometimes we turn to substances or develop negative patterns of thinking about ourselves as coping mechanisms. I work with clients to address both substance use disorders and low self-esteem by building healthy coping strategies and rebuilding a positive sense of self-worth through therapeutic interventions designed to promote lasting change.

  • Life's daily stressors can compound into overwhelming anxiety and depression that makes it difficult to see a path forward. If you're struggling with persistent worry, low mood, or feeling stuck in cycles that seem impossible to break, healing is possible and we can work through this together. I utilize evidence-based approaches tailored to your unique situation and needs.