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 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 believe that there is beauty in brokenness for those who are willing to explore it. By looking inward and examining our innermost feelings and thoughts, we often discover newfound strength, resilience, and a deeper understanding of ourselves and our relationships. This journey, while complex, leads to an appreciation of the beauty in our imperfections. My passion lies in helping you find the courage to embrace your brokenness and recognize the power within your story.

    To that end, I specialize in integrating faith and counseling and utilizing internal family systems practices to address gender identity and sexuality, trauma (&) PTSD, and attachment and family of origin issues.

  • 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.

  • It is my priority to co-journey with my clients as they explore gender identity and sexuality. I approach this sensitive journey from a faith-based integrative lens. My goal is to provide a safe, non-judgmental space where you can navigate these complex aspects of yourself in alignment with your spiritual beliefs. I believe that faith and self-discovery can coexist harmoniously, and I am committed to walking alongside you as together, we work toward a deeper understanding of who you are, fostering acceptance, healing, and spiritual growth.

Hanns Nacua, MA, LPC 

  • As a counselor who is a Christian, I welcome the opportunity to frame your story and its challenges within the context of your own faith according to your desire to do so. I know for many, this is the only framework from which to view the journey of life and I wholeheartedly support you in that. I also realize that the framework of faith may be problematic for some for a variety of reasons and I wholeheartedly honor that perspective as well.

  • As a counselor, I am deeply committed to supporting women who have experienced the painful reality of estrangement from their children and grandchildren. This profound rupture in the parent-child bond is not only an emotional wound but one that impacts the core attachment that has contributed to their identity and sense of purpose for years. Through a compassionate and strengths-based approach, I aim to help them navigate the complex emotions of grief, loss, and uncertainty, empowering them to heal, rebuild, and find meaning in their journey forward.

  • As a counselor, I am dedicated to helping adults who have experienced childhood sexual abuse and continue to feel the heavy impact of those traumatic experiences. The emotional, psychological, and relational wounds that persist can create barriers to living a life unencumbered by the past. Through a compassionate and trauma-informed approach, I strive to provide a safe, supportive space for healing, where clients can process their pain, strengthen their sense of self, and move toward a future defined by resilience, empowerment, and freedom.

  • 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.

Kathy Pflederer MA, LPC 

Celina Deal, MA, LPC 

  • Through my years of experience I know that it is incredibly important for the emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical components of an individual to work well together. I approach the counseling relationship from a holistic, person-centered, and emotionally focused framework to empower my clients to reach their goals. I enjoy walking alongside individuals and couples as they navigate relationship challenges, grief, shame, transitions, anxiety, and depression.

  • 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.