Our Team
Our team of counselors at Biblical Counseling of Arizona serve at various churches in the Phoenix area in the Biblical counseling field. Each counselor offers services unique to their background, training, and experience. Our counselors have formal education and are professionally trained in Counseling and the Bible. No techniques, formats, or formulas will provide the lasting change that the Spirit provides through a heart rooted in truth.
BCA DIRECTOR;
MASTER’S IN BIBLICAL COUNSELING;
ACBC CERTIFIED - COUNSELOR
Joseph Leavell
Joseph is a teacher, counselor, and blogger with a B.A. in Pastoral Studies as well as an M.A. in biblical counseling from The Master’s University. He has been married to his high school sweetheart since 2001, and together, they have 4 children ranging from middle school to college ages. In addition to counseling in his previous role as a pastor, Joseph has counseled professionally since 2015. Through counseling, Joseph helps people bridge the gaps between the Gospel and their life. A considerable amount of his experience is in the realm of marriage counseling and addictions. He holds a level 2 ACBC certification.
MASTER’S IN BIBLICAL COUNSELING; CCEF
- BOARD OF DIRECTORS - COUNSELOR
Sandy Bacon
Sandy is not only certified as a CCEF supervisor, but has earned a Master’s in Biblical counseling from Westminster Theological Seminary. For over 15 years she has shared God’s comfort through counseling. She and her husband are involved at Citypoint in Tempe. Sandy has enjoyed leading workshops, retreats, and discipleship groups for women in her desire to see women grow personally and in their relationship to the Lord. She, and her husband of 35 years, also have a passion for helping others to build strong marriages.
VICE PRESIDENT, CO-FOUNDER
- COUNSELOR
Kathi Bishop
Certified by ACBC, Kathi has been mentoring and counseling for many years. She began BCA as non-profit business in 2015. Kathi achieved a Bachelor’s degree from ASU. Worked in radio, taught bible studies at church, raised 3 children and is now a grandmother. She is married to Chuck since 1982. She worships and serves at Redemption church in Gilbert. She also teaches a weekly bible study and counsels women.
PRESIDENT - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chuck Bishop
Chuck Bishop is an elder at Redemption Church Gilbert where he has attended for over 25 years. He began Royal Covers in 1979 and enjoys working as sales manager at Royal. He sits on the board of Mt. Nebo Prison Ministry. He has three grown children, many grandchildren and has been married to Kathi since 1982. He enjoys seeing people’s lives changed through Jesus Christ and the power of the word of God.
TREASURER
Tanner Bishop
Tanner is the Treasurer for Biblical Counseling of Arizona. Tanner has a Bachelor’s in Business Finance from Arizona State University. He has over a decade of business finance and accounting experience as Vice President at Royal Covers of Arizona. He is married to Jenna and has 4 children.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Rebekah Leavell
Rebekah is the Administrative Assistant for Biblical Counseling of Arizona. She has had various experiences in administrative positions over the years. Her longest running and most rewarding administrative role has been organizing and tracking communications and schedules for her husband, Joe Leavell, since 2001, along with managing the 4 children God blessed them with in the subsequent years. She cares deeply for those who are hurting and enjoys seeing lives transformed through the truth and love of Jesus.
MASTERS IN COUNSELING - COUNSELOR
Michael Decious
Michael has counseled for 20 years. His focus has been helping individuals and families who struggle with anxiety, anger, purity, depression, addictions, abuse, parenting, and marriage. He has worked in the behavioral health field helping families understand mental health biblically. He has an M.Div. in Counseling from Westminster Seminary and CCEF. He is in the process of certification from ABC.
MASTER’S DEGREE IN THEOLOGY, ACBC CERTIFIED
- COUNSELOR
Simone Lake
Simone has devoted her whole life to ministry. Married to her college sweetheart, and as a wife of a pastor, she serves alongside her husband, Pastor Dr. John Lake in their church. In addition to being a Biblical Counselor, she is an Expository Bible Teacher, Discipleship Leader, International Conference Speaker, Blogger, and Writer. She has a passion for helping women and children draw close to God by studying the Bible, helping them to see that God is their loving Father, and Jesus Christ is their faithful good Shepherd and Savior who cares for them. Simone has successfully earned her counseling certification with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors and her Master's degree in Theology.
MASTER’S DEGREE, ACBC CERTIFIED -
COUNSELOR - SPANISH AVAILABLE
Lynne Paasch
Lynne Paasch has spent the last 30 years in Christian ministry as a missionary, a Pastor’s wife, a Christian school teacher, mother, foster parent, and Counselor. She loves to encourage young women in their faith and walk with others through the painful circumstances of life. Lynne has a degree from ASU and a Master’s degree from the University of Texas. She is ACBC certified. Above all, Lynne hopes that Christ is exalted and people know they are loved through the good news of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross!
ACBC CERTIFIED - MARRIAGE COUNSELORS - SPANISH AVAILABLE (LIMITED AVAILABILITY)
Mike and Lynne Paasch
Mike and Lynne have been married for nearly 38 years and have raised 2 daughters. They have fostered 6 teenage boys. They are passionate for Jesus and about seeing God transform marriages! God has rescued them. So HE can rescue you! They have counseled numerous couples and have seen God restore lives and marriages. Mike is a high school counselor and a pastor. Mike and Lynne are both certified Biblical Counselors.
ACBC CERTIFIED - COUNSELOR
Echo Tung
Born and raised in Taiwan, Echo is a graduate of ASU, ACBC Certified Biblical Counselor, writer of children’s stories, international conference speaker, and lecturer of Biblical Counseling. Since 2007, Echo has been counseling individuals, couples, and children. Throughout her many years counseling, Echo has witnessed God’s transformative power.
CCEF - COUNSELOR
Kelly Rundell
Kelly lives in Frederick, Maryland with her husband, five kids, and crazy bernedoodle dog. She is a biblical counselor with training from Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation. She has earned certificates in the Foundations of Biblical Counseling, Topics in Biblical Counseling, and Counseling Skills and Practice.
Kelly has a heart to walk through the hard things of life alongside people who are suffering and struggling. Kelly is
passionate about encouraging others by pointing them to the Lord through His work on the cross for salvation, and His word for a life filled with change and hope. She holds firmly that who God is, shapes who we are, and touches every circumstance of our lives. Kelly loves being part of the Lord’s work of bringing steadfast grace, solid hope, and true rest into the hearts of His beloved people!
ABC CERTIFIED - COUNSELOR
Tania Hilton
Tania is a compassionate and dedicated wife, mother of three, teacher, counselor, and coach. With a BA in Christian Thought and Practice and an ABC Level 1 certification, she brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding of biblical principles to her counseling. Currently pursuing her Master's in Divinity, Tania aims to help individuals identify areas of spiritual, personal, and vocational challenges where they might feel stuck, guiding them through the transformative power of God's Word and promises. As an active member of Christ Greenfield Lutheran Church in Gilbert, AZ, she leads leadership development for ministry teams through the ULC. Her involvement extends to co-leading the Spiritual Care Ministry, organizing enriching women's retreats, and teaching several member classes at CG. Tania's passion lies in empowering growth and revealing God's plan for individuals seeking positive change through her Lutheran faith-based approach.
MASTER’S IN COUNSELING
, CCEF
- COUNSELOR
Shannon Winebrenner
Shannon is a teacher and counselor with a Master of Arts in Counseling from Westminster Theological Seminary in conjunction with Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (CCEF). For over 32 years she has worked with youth, led women’s Bible studies, and served the under resourced in the churches she has been a member of and parachurch organizations. Biblical Counseling has been a natural extension of her love for the Lord’s people. Her passion is to see people grow in their understanding of who God is and their trust in Him through all seasons of life. She worships and serves at New City Church in downtown Phoenix.
B.A. Biblical Counseling, ACBC Certified - Counselor
Hannah Sink
Hannah has a background in mentoring and the discipleship of youth and women. She is Phase 2 ACBC Certified and has earned her BA in Biblical Counseling from The Master's University. She has enjoyed hands-on ministry training, traveling to conduct youth outreaches and gain a theological foundation through Moody Bible Institute. She has a passion for helping women and children set their hearts on Christ with an undivided love, receiving what is most needed from the Lord through trauma and difficulty. Her and her husband have a blended family, entrusted by God with the joy of raising 7 children together. They are a part of Ironwood Church in Queen Creek."
B.A. Psychology, ACBC Certified - Counselor
Katie Befus
Katie is a certified ACBC counselor with a B.A. in Psychology who lives in South Carolina with her husband and son. She has spent several years working in residential treatment witnessing women find healing and hope through a relationship with Jesus Christ. She is passionate about sharing God’s living and active Word with those she gets the privilege of serving, seeking to point them to the true hope found in the Gospel and how God never wastes our pain.