About

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A Glimpse into My Journey

Hello, I'm Dr. Sean Stokes, the founder and director of Lifeway Counseling Center. With over 25 years of experience, I bring a wealth of knowledge and credentials to the field of counseling and marriage & family therapy. My goal is to provide a supportive and enriching environment for individuals and couples seeking positive change.

Academic Background & Certifications

PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy from Texas Tech University

M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Louisiana at Monroe 

B.S. in Human Development Family Studies from Texas Tech University

Trained in the PREP (Preventative and Relationship Enhancement Program) model for Premarital and Marital Counseling

Certified Financial Wellness Coachâ„¢

Certified Financial Therapist (CFT-1™) Level 1 – Candidate.

A dirt road in the middle of a forest.

Licenses Held

Licensed by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council. 

Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas (LPC# 17396)

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Texas (LMFT #4983).

Board Approved Supervisor for both licenses. 

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Idaho (#MBTMFT-10518).

Currently offering In-Person sessions and Teletherapy sessions in Texas.

Only offering Teletherapy session in Idaho.

Active member of the Christian Counselors of Texas, The Texas Counseling Association and The Texas Association for Marriage & Family Therapists.   

Research and Publications

Published in academic journals such as:

  • The Journal of Marital and Family Therapy,
  • The Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, and
  • Contemporary Family Therapy: An International Journal.

Additionally, I co-authored two book chapters with my wife, Dr. Marilyn Massey-Stokes.

Board and Administrative Roles

From 2011 to 2018, I proudly served on the Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists. During my tenure, I chaired the Rules Committee, contributed to the Ethics Committee, and held the position of Vice-Chair of the Board. Before relocating to the Metroplex, I served as the Administrator of a 28-bed in-patient drug and alcohol treatment facility in West Texas.

Personal Touch

Beyond my professional background, while I will always be a Red Raider at heart, I am a passionate supporter of the Boise State Broncos - "Go Broncos!" If you're curious about my sports allegiance, feel free to ask – just be ready for a detailed response! Outside of work, I like nothing more than to put on my backpack for hiking or go floating down a river in a kayak.  There is just something about being in nature that refreshes the soul!