Counselors - Paula Whitaker MA, MEd, PCC, BCCC

Paula Whitaker BA, M.Ed, MA in Counseling, and a Board Certified Christian Counselor from the International Board of Christian Counseling, as well as a, Professional Christian Counselor. Ms. Paula is the Ministry Director of Champions Christian Counseling Center in Tomball, and has worked in the fields of education and counseling for over 35 years. She was also the founder and Administrator of two Christian schools: Tomball Christian Academy and Champions Christian Academy.

Ms. Paula received her first Master's Degree in Education in 1979 from Sam Houston State University and a second Masters Degree in Counseling from Houston Graduate Seminary in 2003. At that time she was ordained as a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Ms. Paula has devoted her career and expertise to working with couples, families, children, and individuals in a Christian environment. Ms. Paula has had extensive experience in working with women's issues, marriage improvement and enhancement, couples counseling, pre-marital counseling, depression, anxiety, bipolar, ADD/ADHD, sexual abuse, and play therapy for children with a variety of issues and difficulties. With a Master's Degree in Education and a Minor in Early Childhood Education, her 30 years of educational experience and expertise allows her to work with children and adolescents for a variety of disabilities, disorders, and difficulties. Using this knowledge of children and adolescents and her own personality she provides a comfortable and open environment for discussion and interaction for almost any difficulty. She also provides educational consultation and some testing for children from ages four through high school.

Ms. Paula is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors and the National Association for Play Therapy. She has been active in the local community for many years through a variety of philanthropic endeavors. She also provides educational training in Parenting Skills, Discipline, and classes for Parents of ADHD children, and has been instrumental in providing information to parents to access resources in local schools. She is also a writer and has been published in numerous magazines and journals with bi-monthly articles being published in Houston Christian Magazine and That Texas Magazine.

January 29, 2007, Ms. Paula lost her only child in sudden death. The shock from this loss has added to her resolve to help hurting families and adds a measure of understanding and compassion with other parents who have lost their children. As a way of turning her grief and loss into something positive she wrote "How to Survive the Loss of a Child" that was published in Houston Christian Magazine in the April/May 2007 printing. Also, in memorial to her son, Ryan Paul Whitaker, Ms. Paula has instituted an endowment educational fund with Tomball College to provide nursing scholarships for those who love and want to help people in the nursing career

If you are interested in knowing more about this scholarship program, you may contact the financial aid office at Tomball College for more information.

In an effort to help hurting people and to leave a Legacy for Ryan her son, Ms. Paula set up the Ryan Paul Whitaker Memorial Foundation. The goal of the foundation was to help people in need. One of the first actions taken by the Foundation was to donate Ryan's inheritance to TOMAGWA HealthCare ministries in memory of Ryan and to promote his goal in life of helping people through medical ministries.

On March 7, 2010 the new TOMAGWA HealthCare Ministries facility was dedicated as the Ryan Paul Whitaker Memorial Medical Center and to the Glory of God.

Ms. Paula's heart's desire is working in Christian ministry to benefit those in need and to assist in growing strong individuals and families for God.

Ms. Paula is very active in community charities and organizations. She is a member of the Tomball Rotary, Tomball Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of the Board of Directors for several community programs, including:

• PERC-Pregnancy Education& Resource Center
• TRAC-Tomball Regional Art Council
• TBWA-Tomball Business and Professional Women
• TOMAGWA Health Care Ministries-Advisory Board
• Shattered Lives Program

Paula is also very involved in church missions in Kenya, S. Africa where she has worked to help build a church in memory of her son, Ryan. She and her husband, Ken Hancock, are involved in many positive endeavors for our community.