Who We Are

In 1998, Journey of Hope Grief Support Center was established by a dedicated group of professionals and community members: Hila Pepmiller, Judy Sims, Sandra Aikins, Gaye Ratcliff, Vanessa Moore-Hundley, Mark Hundley, and Ginny Robinson. These individuals recognized a critical gap in grief support services for children and families. Motivated by personal experiences and a shared commitment to compassionate care, they came together to create a place where young people could safely express their grief. Journey of Hope was founded to offer free, age-appropriate peer support groups led by trained facilitators. Since its founding, the organization has served thousands of families across the DFW metroplex, becoming a trusted place of connection, healing, and hope.

In 2025, Wellspring Counseling Center became the new home to Journey of Hope grief support groups. The relationship between Wellspring, First United Methodist Church of Plano, Grace Avenue United Methodist Church, and Journey of Hope has remained deeply rooted in shared values of empathy, compassion, and resilience.

Wellspring Counseling Center was founded in 2000 with a vision to offer accessible, compassionate, and high-quality mental health care to individuals and families in North Texas. What began as a small counseling practice has grown into a respected center known for its dedication to emotional healing, professional excellence, and whole-person care. 

Wellspring provides a range of therapeutic services for children, teens, adults, couples, and families, supporting individuals through life’s challenges and transitions with empathy and skill.

Together, these two programs offer a continuum of care for our community as we walk alongside individuals and families as they navigate grief, trauma, and life’s many complexities.

Thank you for trusting us with your counseling needs. We honor and respect your resolve and will seek to help you achieve a life that is healthy and whole.

Our Vision

We envision a community in which professional mental health resources are readily available and affordable.

Our Mission

Wellspring’s mission is to provide affordable, professional mental health counseling so that all persons, regardless of income, may experience healing and hope.

Our Staff

Kerri Newman, MS, LMFT

Journey of Hope Director, Operations Director

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Contact Kerri Newman

Our Board of Directors

Rev. Alice Coder Chair, Retired Elder in The United Methodist Church, Co-founder of Wellspring Counseling Center

Carolyn Maurer PhD, President, LPC-S and LMFT–S, Co-founder of Wellspring Counseling Center

Leslie Harris Treasurer, President, HiEd, Inc.

Debi Dault CRP, GPHR, SHRM-SCP, Development Director, Founder/Owner Dault Global Solutions, LLC

David Roberson At Large, Retired Business and Finance Director, First UMC Plano

We Appreciate Our Partners

Logo for FUMC Plano, a United Methodist Community, with a cross and flame symbol in red and blue text.
Logo for Grace Avenue United Methodist Church with an illustration of a house with a heart inside it.
Wellspring Counseling Center, Inc. logo with black handwritten-style text, a blue water drop above the 'i', and blue ripples beneath the text, all inside an oval shape.