Our clinical staff represents a variety of disciplines including psychology and social work. They have experience in the fields of individual, marital, family and group therapy for a wide variety of issues. The clinical staff consults with your primary care physician or psychiatrist when necessary to facilitate your care. Our office staff will be happy to assist you in scheduling appointments and answering your questions.

    Karla Flores, M.A., Child/Adolescent Therapist

    Karla Flores, M.A. is a Licensed Master’s Level Psychologist – T (LMLP-T) and currently works under the supervision of Dr. Kathy Pearce and Dr. Mack Harnden, both of whom have over 30 years of experience as Ph.D. licensed psychologists. Karla has been working in the mental health field for over 12 years. She is originally from El Salvador, her native language is Spanish and she is fluently bi-lingual.

    Karla received her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Universidad Dr. Jose Matias Delgado (El Salvador). Prior to that she received her Bachelor’s in General Psychology from Universidad Centro Americana Jose Simeon Canas-UCA (El Salvador). Before coming to the United States in 2018, she worked for years with Salvadorean community residents (children and adolescents) at her alma mater’s Psychological Assistance Clinic and at her private practice where she gained substantial experience in providing psychological testing and in therapeutically addressing an extensive variety of clinical issues.

    Karla enjoys working with Children and Adolescents. She recognizes the value of guiding and helping parents in their goal to improve their family relationships. Utilizing play therapy and other psychodynamic techniques and interventions, she helps children and adolescents to express themselves. For children, she uses play therapy to express their emotions and reactions to challenges in their lives. Karla excels at projecting empathy, compassion, and competency with her clients. She has a high level of skills in helping clients meet their psychological needs. Her psychotherapeutic expertise includes working with children who are experiencing:

    • Anxiety
    • Negative Self-Esteem and Self-Doubts
    • Behavioral Problems
      • Anger Management
      • Impulse Control and Decision Making
      • Organizational/Time Management Challenges
      • Attachment Concerns
    • Conflict with Parents, Siblings and Peers
    • Difficulty in School
    • ADD/ADHD
    • Psychological Testing Needs

    Karla is married and has two young daughters.

    Kathy Nace, MA, NCC, LPC

    Kathy’s approach to counseling is client-centered and trauma-informed, drawing from a variety of therapies as needed. She is trained to work with a diverse population of individuals, couples, and families regarding a wide range of subjects including:

    • Depression
    • Anxiety
    • Marital/Couple/Family Conflict
    • Divorce Recovery
    • Relationship Challenges
    • Self-Esteem
    • Women’s Issues
    • Trauma – PTSD
    • Attachment Concerns
    • Co-Dependency
    • Grief and Loss
    • Issues Related to One’s Faith

    She also has personal experience as a foster and adoptive parent, caring for aging parents, and supporting persons with terminal illnesses. Other areas of Kathy’s focus include life balance and premarital support. Kathy considers it a privilege to walk with her clients through difficult times.

    Kathy holds a BS in Home Economics & Liberal Arts from Kansas State University. After several other careers (graphic designer, event planner, conference coordinator, writer/marketer, home educator, home health provider) she decided to pursue a career as a counselor. She completed her Masters in Marriage, Couple & Family Therapy from MidAmerica Nazarene University and is now a Nationally Certified Counselor verified by Psychology Today and a trained Domestic Mediator in the State of Kansas. As an LPC, she presently works under the supervision of Elizabeth Russell, MA, LCPC #2384.

    PAUL COX, LSCSW

    Paul Cox is a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker who has been a clinical therapist since 1980. He considers it fortunate to have gained a high degree of competence in providing therapy and counseling with all age groups. He enjoys and has significant expertise in working with:
    • Children to include those with ADHD or Oppositional Deviant Behavior.
    • Adolescents
    • Adults
    • Couples
    • Families
    Paul focuses on healing and resolution of life issues and challenges to include but not limited to:
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Marital Dissatisfaction.
    • Parent-Child Conflict.
    • Self-Esteem.
    • Trauma (PTSD).
    As a combat Vietnam Veteran, Paul is able to work empathetically and effectively with veterans struggling with a variety of current or post-military challenges. Paul follows, as a Christian, the belief that the Holy Spirit can direct our souls on the path to healing and emotional well-being.

    Kathy Pearce, Ph.D., LP

    Kathy Pearce, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist with a doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the University of Kansas.  After completing her pre-doctoral internship at the Leavenworth Veterans Administration, Dr. Pearce practiced for six years at Pawnee Mental Health Center in Manhattan.  This was followed by her 25 years at Prairie View Behavioral Health Center in Newton where she was Chief Psychologist.  She returned to her Lawrence roots in 2018.  In addition to her part-time practice at Christian Psychological Services she also has a private practice with Clinical Associates in Lenexa.  Dr. Pearce utilizes a variety of psychological interventions to help people feel more empowered to meet their psychological, physical, spiritual, and social needs.  She provides individual and conjoint psychotherapy for adolescents and adults.  Dr. Pearce’s psychotherapeutic interests include:
    • Mood Disorders such as Depression.
    • Anxiety
    • Trauma-Related Disorders
    • Grief
    • Self-esteem
    • Relationship Problems including Marital, Parent-Child and other Family Conflict.
    • Older Adult Issues.
    • She is particularly interested in the Integration of Physical and Mental Health.
    Dr. Pearce has extensive training and experience in psychological assessment, including psychological and neuropsychological testing. She is married, and has two adult children and three grandchildren.

    VERDELL TAYLOR, JR., M.S.

    Verdell Taylor has been a “Pastoral Counselor “at Christian Psychological Services since 1996. He is a native of Leavenworth, Kansas and a Vietnam Era Army Veteran.

    He received his Bachelor of Science in Education degree in 1968 and his Masters of Science in Counseling degree in 1972 from Emporia State University.

    Verdell enjoys working all people and helping them reach spiritual fulfillment . His special interests and expertise include working with:

    •      Adolescents.
    •      Adults.
    •      Couples.
    •      Families.
    •      Individuals in conflict with themselves or others.

     Mediation is also one of Verdell’s areas of expertise.

    Verdell has been ordained as a pastor since 1980.  In 1995, he began his current role as the Senior Pastor for the St. Luke A.M.E. Church in Lawrence, KS.

    Verdell is married and has two daughters and three grandchildren. 

    Glen Mack Harnden, Ph.D., LP

    Dr. Mack Harnden has been a licensed psychologist for over 42 years and is currently the Executive Director of Christian Psychological Services (CPS). In 1977, before receiving his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Kansas, he founded and directed CPS in Lawrence, KS which later expanded to Kansas City. He is a graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point and served 4 years on active duty to include one year as a combat infantry officer in Vietnam. He provides counseling and therapy with adolescents and adults, families, couples and organizations. His clinical work includes working with clients who have the following challenges:

    • Depression
    • Anxiety
    • Self-esteem
    • Marital, Family and Work Relationship Conflict
    • Career/Vocational Pursuits to include Job Selection and Transition.
    • Veterans to include those with PTSD
    • Psychological Testing Needs

    Dr. Harnden is particularly skilled at working with clients who want to more fully integrate their faith into all aspects of their lives so that they have a more inspirational, harmonious and life-guided relationship with God.

    In addition to his clinical work, he has consulted with hundreds of businesses since 1989, specializing in Succession Management, Leadership Development and Coaching, Executive/Career Assessments, Organizational Effectiveness, Strategic Planning and Team Building.

    Since 1985, Dr. Harnden has also developed a high level of expertise in educating and motivating individuals to “Give and Receive Forgiveness.” Sponsored by the Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS), he envisioned and directed “Forgiveness in the Heartland,” the first national conference on forgiveness in the United States which took place in Kansas City in 1993. In addition, Mack envisioned and co-directed “The Gathering of Friends,” the first international conference on forgiveness which took place in Amman, Jordan and Jerusalem in December 1999. During this conference, over 200 individuals from 22 countries attended. He currently offers Workshops to churches, mental health professionals and other groups on the “Process and Power of Forgiving.” In such workshops, he uses a variety of movies that illustrate the stages through which individuals typically progress to forgive those who have deeply hurt them. Guiding clients through these stages is an integral part of Dr. Harnden’s therapeutic approach.

    Dr. Harnden has been married for over 54 years. He has two grown children and three grandchildren. He is very active with his church in Kansas City and enjoys playing golf.

    Board of Directors

    Jennifer Dix – Board President
    Steve Flory – Vice President
    Rodge Moore
    Abbey Gripka, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist

    Executive Director

    Mack Harnden – Founder and Licensed Psychologist

    office Manager

    Susan Soelter