Dr. Ronnie Pace

I have spent nearly 40 years working with individuals, couples, and families through many of life's challenges. I am a licensed professional counselor in Louisiana and a licensed mental health counselor and supervisor in Indiana, as well as a counselor educator and clinical supervisor.

I earned my PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, with a specialization in Crisis and Trauma Intervention, and also hold graduate degrees in Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy. Throughout my career, I have worked in private practice, community mental health, hospitals, crisis and trauma response, addictions treatment, employee assistance programs, disaster mental health, and military psychological health.

My specific areas of clinical experience include anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, stress, major life transitions, relationship and marital concerns, family difficulties, addictions and substance-use concerns, and issues affecting older adults. I also have extensive experience working with military personnel and families, individuals facing workplace-related difficulties, and people dealing with significant personal or family crises.

I believe counseling begins with understanding the person sitting across from me. Every individual brings a different history, different strengths, different struggles, and a different way of seeing the world. My role is not simply to tell you what to do, but to listen carefully, understand what you are experiencing, and work alongside you as we determine what may help you move forward.

After nearly four decades in this profession, I still believe one of the most important things I can offer a client is a place where they can speak honestly, be treated with dignity and respect, and know that they are being heard.

My counseling approach has evolved over nearly 40 years of practice. While others often hear it as person-centered in the tradition of Carl Rogers, I see it as primarily REBT-informed. At its core is a strong belief in the therapeutic relationship, where genuineness, empathy, respect, and acceptance support meaningful change.

Much of my work draws on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), helping clients identify and challenge unhelpful beliefs and thought patterns that contribute to emotional distress and influence behavior.

Over the past decade, I have also integrated Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and motivational interviewing. These approaches help clients reframe their stories, recognize strengths, and take practical steps toward desired change.

I believe therapists need a solid grounding in theory before integrating approaches. With experience, I have developed an integrative, collaborative style that adapts to each person’s needs, personality, and goals.

The first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another and begin building a comfortable, collaborative working relationship. I will invite you to share what brings you to therapy at your own pace, along with any relevant background information that helps me understand your current concerns.

We will talk about what you are hoping to get out of therapy and begin identifying goals that feel meaningful and realistic for you. There is no pressure to share more than you are ready to, and you are welcome to ask questions at any point.

I will also explain how I work, including confidentiality, the structure of sessions, and what ongoing therapy might look like. Together, we will begin to explore patterns in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that may be contributing to your difficulties, while also identifying your strengths and resources.

Most importantly, the first session is about creating a sense of safety, respect, and trust so that you can decide whether working together feels like a good fit for you.