Dana L. Comstock, Ph.D. 

Department Chair
Relational-Cultural Theory and Social Justice Coordinator
Professor of Counseling

Comstock’s interests involve Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT), social justice issues and human development. She is currently working with the National Institute for Multicultural Competence to create a sense of unity, inclusion and vision in ACA. She will also be leading a RCT study and mentoring group through the NIMC. She is the editor of Diversity and Development: Critical Contexts that Shape Our Lives and Relationships, 2005.

For a list of her publications, click here.

B.S., Eastern Kentucky University, 1987
M.A., Eastern Kentucky University, 1989
Ph.D., Mississippi State University, 1991
dcomstock@stmarytx.edu

Becky R. Davenport, Ph.D.

Play Therapy Coordinator
Assistant Professor

Davenport's interests involve the integration of play therapy and family therapy when working with young children and their families. She is also interested in the prevention and treatment of aggression and externalizing behavior problems in young children, the social and cultural influences on children's developing narrative of self and other as well as the MFT training process and the assessment of trainees' clinical competency.

For a list of her publications click here.

B.A., Texas A&M University, 1997
M.A., St. Mary's University, 2000
Ph.D., Iowa State University, 2004
bdavenport@stmarytx.edu

Randall R. Lyle, Ph.D.

Neurofeedback Coordinator
Associate Professor

Lyle's interests involve gender and ethnicity, qualitative methodology, philosophical foundations of marriage and family therapy, ethics, gangs, spirituality and neurofeedback.

For a list of his publications click here.

B.A., Lorretto Heights College, 1977
M.Div., Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, 1982
Ph.D., Iowa State University, 1992
rlyle@stmarytx.edu

Dan A. Ratliff, Ph.D.

MFT Internship Coordinator
Associate Professor

Ratliff's interests involve supervision, qualitative research, play and family therapy, and the self of the therapist.

For a list of his publications click here.

B.A. Baylor University 1977;
M.Div. Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary;
Ph.D. Texas Tech University 1992
dratliff@stmarytx.edu

H. Ray Wooten, Ph.D. 

Graduate Program Director
Rehabilitation Counseling Coordinator
Professor of Counseling

Wooten's interest and research include alternative, experiential, and psycho-spiritual therapies and activities in counseling and marriage and family therapy.

B.A. North Carolina State University 1980;
M.A. Appalachian State University 1985;
Ph.D. University of North Carolina at Greensboro 1991
hrwooten@stmarytx.edu

R. Esteban Montilla, Ph.D. 

Coordinator of Latin American Program Development
Assistant Professor

Montilla’s research interest involves human development and human personality from a collectivistic perspective. He is the author of several books including Pastoral Counseling with Latinas/os (2006), Counseling and Family Therapy with Latino Populations (2005) and Viviendo la Tercera Edad (2004). Montilla is one of the pioneers of the hospice movement and counseling profession to several countries in Latin America. He has developed diploma, master and doctoral programs in family counseling for Venezuela.

B.S. Yaracuy Institute/College of Technology/UNELLEZ;
M.S. Texas A&M University
Ph.D. Texas A&M University
rmontilla@stmarytx.edu

Melanie C. Harper, Ph.D. 

Counseling Internship Coordinator
Department Webmaster
Assistant Professor

Harper’s interests involve mental health, development, and life transitions during mid and later life and sexual minority issues in all stages of adulthood. She also is interested in techniques for the enrichment of counseling, supervision, and training.

For a list of her publications click here.

B.A. University of Southwestern Louisiana 1980
M.A. Southwest Texas State University 2001
Ph.D. University of North Carolina at Greensboro 2005
mharper@stmarytx.edu

Laura Bryan, Ph.D.

Family Life Center Clinical Administrator

Bryan's research interests include medical family therapy, particularly the role of marriage and family therapists helping couples and families cope with chronic and terminal illness. She is also interested in studying feminist and narrative family therapy approaches. In her role as clinical administrator of the Family Life Center, she is involved in developing effective ways to train and evaluate marriage and family therapy students.

Francis X. Farrell Jr., M.A.

Leticia Gutierrez