Professional Counseling
Struggling with life or relationship issues?
What are you willing to do to have happy, healthy relationships with those who are important to you?
Friends of the Family is here to help improve your emotional, relational and spiritual health, strengthen your marriage and family relationships.
Counselors:
Sherry Doggett
Marriage & Family Therapy Associate
Sherry serves adolescents, adults, couples, and families in her counseling practice. She has a background in military family life, marriage research, and education. She considers herself a lifelong student of relationships.
With a master’s degree from George Fox University in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Washington, Sherry is on track to become a licensed clinician in the state of Oregon. She has additional training in Emotionally Focused Therapy and Restoration Therapy.
Sherry is connected to Suburban Christian Church in Corvallis and Northside Church in North Albany. She enjoys paddle boarding, hiking, and family celebrations.
Alicia Deal
Graduate Counseling Intern
Alicia is a trained counselor who loves to work with children, teens and adults, as individuals and families. She desires to provide a source of support and encouragement to those who are struggling with thoughts, feelings, behaviors, or relationships. She is passionate about helping clients to find healing and wholeness. She will work with you to find a sense of peace of mind and spirit.
With a bachelor’s degree in Applied Psychology from Colorado Christian University, Alicia is pursuing her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Colorado Christian University as well. She is also pursuing a certification in play therapy.
Originally from California, Alicia and her family were blessed to relocate to Albany. Alicia and her family attend Willamette Community Church. In her free time, Alicia enjoys spending time with her husband, children, and pets as well as face painting and balloon twisting at events with them.
Holly Berry
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Holly is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Oregon and has experience working both in the public and private sector of child welfare. Holly’s therapeutic goal is to create a safe space, free of judgement, to come alongside her clients — individuals, youths, young adults, couples, or families — as they work towards their desired outcomes. She is passionate about supporting her clients in their pursuit of health and healing.
Holly holds a master’s degree in Social Work from Cal State Long Beach and a bachelor’s degree from Azusa Pacific University. She holds additional certifications in foster care and adoption therapy.
In her free time, Holly enjoys being with her family, gardening, hiking, quilting, and exploring all that the beautiful state of Oregon has to offer.
Kara Oyer
Graduate Counseling Intern
Kara is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Counseling through Crown College, MN. Her therapeutic goal is to holistically help clients – individuals, young adults, couples, biracial and intercultural couples, and families – as they reach their desired goals. Kara provides a warm and empathetic environment to allow healing. She enjoys counseling in areas of family of origin hurts, relationship challenges, women’s issues, multicultural concerns, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, loss, and grief.
Kara is an Ordained Minister with the Christian and Missionary Alliance and holds a bachelor’s degree in Global and Cultural Studies from Crown College, MN. She holds additional certificates in PeaceMaking and Trauma-Informed Crisis Intervention.
Kara is a proud wife and mother. In her free time, she enjoys being with her family and two dogs, traveling, reading, hiking, and photography.
Professional Staff:
Dave Jackson
Executive Director
Dave is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and a credentialed pastor, having served 14 years on staff at Corvallis Evangelical Church. He has been Friends of the Family’s Executive Director since 2016 and loves helping couples, spending time with his family, and riding his motorcycle.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I choose a counselor?
- Get to know our counselors. Read the short biographies and look at their photos above. You can request a specific counselor or ask who could see you the soonest.
- Call our office and talk to someone at (541) 757-1761. Our staff is knowledgeable about each counselor’s strengths, training and interests. They can help guide you to the best fit and schedule your first appointment.
- Schedule a free consultation. This 15-minute phone call with a counselor is a chance to explore if you will be a good team to accomplish your goals together.
- The right fit is important! If for any reason, after a few sessions, your counselor is not a good fit for you, it’s OK. We are happy to help with other options. We can transfer you to another counselor within our office or refer you to someone outside our office that might be a better match.
How much does counseling cost? Can I use my insurance?
We are a private pay office and do not currently bill insurance. To help keep our services accessible to all, we offer a Sliding Fee Scale based on household income. Caring, generous people throughout the community give to Friends of the Family to help keep our rates affordable.
What is Christian counseling look like? Will you respect the importance of my Christian faith?
All our counselors are trained clinicians pursuing or maintaining professional credentials. Each of our counselors profess a Christian faith and share principles of biblical truth and grace according to each client’s preferences. We will ask you about this in the first session and incorporate this as you desire.
What if I/my spouse/my partner/my child do not claim a Christian faith?
We serve many client populations, including those who do not identify with a Christian faith. Our counselors are trained to create a supportive and compassionate space for you and do not pray, share Scripture, or other practices related to Christian faith if that is not something you want to include.
What can I expect at my first appointment?
We will briefly review paperwork and policies related to counseling. The remainder of the session is more of an opportunity to learn about you, what you are currently facing, the symptoms and challenges you are experiencing, and to learn how we can best support you and help you reach your goals.
How long does counseling take? How frequently do I have to come?
Treatment length is a personalized process that varies depending on your issues and goals for therapy. Because we are a private pay office, sessions are not limited by insurance company conditions. This means we can offer you thorough care that meets your needs. We will make recommendations based on your symptoms and goals and create a plan together.
How long do sessions last?
Individual sessions are 50-minutes. Sessions for couples are typically 80-minutes, but may sometimes be 50-minutes.
Do you offer premarital counseling?
Yes! Most of our counselors have received training in Prepare/Enrich as a tool for helping you see areas of strength and growth in your relationship that we can address together. Ask about our package that includes an assessment and 6-8 sessions with a counselor. Occasionally, we offer an alternate package that includes a six-hour workshop with a group of couples, followed by three personalized sessions with one of our counselors.
What do all of those letters and titles mean behind the names?
All our counselors are either nearing the end of their graduate coursework or are full graduates of an accredited counseling program. Graduate Counseling Interns are Master’s level students gaining field experience required to enter the counseling profession. Registered Associates have graduated and are working toward the prerequisite hours to become fully licensed clinicians. LMFT indicates Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor.
About Us
