Meet Our Staff

Dr. Bernis Riley, Psy.D., LPC-S, Clinical Director

I am Dr. Bernis Riley, co-founder and Clinical Director of SoulCare Counseling. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and a Certified EFT Therapist with a Doctorate in Psychology. I and my husband are the co-founders of SoulCare Counseling.

All couples have disagreements, but what happens when you and your spouse disagree? Does it go in circles as you attack and defend, or does one of you get quiet while the other gets frustrated? If so, you’ve probably tried to change this, but you can’t. You’re stuck in a negative cycle that keeps you disconnected so that you can’t communicate, resolve conflict, or discuss problems without falling into your cycle. This negative cycle is the problem.

But there is a way out of the negative cycle, and I can help you find it using Emotionally Focused Therapy. EFT helps you stop the negative cycle by creating a safe emotional connection. You can schedule a free thirty-minute consultation with me by clicking the button below. Or you can call or text 817-808-2606, or email bernis@soulcarecounselingdfw.com. Teletherapy is available for couples who have completed a couples intensive with me, which is a great option that I urge you to look into.

I am Dr. Mark Riley, co-founder and Executive Director of SoulCare Counseling. After 44 years as a lead pastor, I retired to serve at SoulCare Counseling as executive director. I love taking care of all the behind-the-scenes administrative work for the practice. I also answer the phone and our email.

We are designed and created by God for connection and, because of that, disconnection is the enemy. In a marriage, when emotional disconnection creeps in, it causes arguments and protective actions that spiral out of control. The only solution is repair and reconnection. That is what our counselors do at SoulCare. Hundreds of marriages have been saved since we first opened in 2007.

If I can help with scheduling, answering questions, or any administrative issue, you can contact me here. Call or text 817-808-2606 or email mark@soulcarecounselingdfw.com.

Dr. Mark Riley, D.Min., Executive Director

Kelly Heard, LMFT

I am Kelly Heard, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I am also a Certified EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy)Therapist. I hold a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and am a member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

Do you feel misunderstood and unappreciated? Are you caught in cycle of nasty fights or silent cease fires? Are you lonely in your marriage? Do you feel anxious or depressed as a result? Do you feel tanged up in your distress and unable to figure out how you got in and how to get out? Would you like your marriage to get better and stay that way?

I can help you unravel yourself from the negative patterns holding your happiness hostage. I have advanced training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), which prioritizes the ability to turn toward significant others in times of distress. EFT is based on the science of attachment theory and it is backed up by decades of research that prove it really works. To schedule a free thirty-minute consultation, click here. You can call or text me at 945-223-8188 or email kelly@soulcarecounselingdfw.com. Teletherapy is available.

Stacey Sunny, LPC-A

I am Stacey Sunny, Licensed Professional Counselor Associate under the supervision of Dr. Bernis Riley, Psy. D., LPC-S. I hold a Master’s Degree of Arts in Licensed Professional Counseling from Dallas Baptist University. I’ve worked with sexual trauma and assault at the Turning Point Rape Crisis Center in Plano. I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR).

No one wants to experience pain and suffering, yet we can learn and grow from those experiences. You may be like so many who feel broken and hopeless, and struggle to find their purpose in life. The good news is that there is hope in the Savior who died for you and loves you. Whatever issues you struggle with, God’s word teaches, and my own experiences have confirmed, that we can learn and grow and reach the full potential God has for us.​

I can help you understand yourself and give yourself compassion and grace. Positive growth and self-discovery is possible. I'd be honored to work with you towards processing emotions and experiences to develop awareness and help you build a brighter future. You can call or text me at 430-558-6459 or you can email me at stacey@soulcarecounselingdfw.com. No matter where you are in Texas, I can counsel you through teletherapy.

Jonathan Atwell, LPC-A

I am Jonathan Atwell, Licensed Professional Counselor Associate under the supervision of Dr. Bernis Riley, Psy.D., LPC-S. I hold a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA. I also hold a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Ft. Worth, TX. I’m a member of the American Counseling Association. I have served as a senior pastor for over 20 years.

You may feel stuck in a cycle of anxiety, sadness, or behaviors that seem impossible to change. Maybe you’ve tried leaning on your faith, only to find that your struggles persist. It’s exhausting to feel like you’re constantly battling the same challenges, and it’s heartbreaking to wonder if relief will ever come. You’ve been struggling in silence, but I want you to know that I see you. With my pastoral background, I understand the heaviness you feel and the unique spiritual struggles you face. You are not alone in this.

Using Emotionally Focused Therapy, I provide a safe, supportive, non-judgmental space where you can uncover what it is that has you stuck, and we’ll get you unstuck so that you can move forward to emotional freedom and renewed joy. Take the first step today by scheduling a free thirty-minute consultation. Call or text 817-808-2606, or email me at jonathan@soulcarecounselingdfw.com. Or just click here. Let’s walk this journey together.