RTS Conference on Christian Counseling October 30-31, 2025
The conference registration is now closed.
Dr. Michell Temple, Ph.D., Ed.D., CRC, NCC, ACS, (CO, GA), LPC/MHSP (TN), serves an Associate Professor of Counseling at Denver Seminary and the Vernon C. Grounds Endowed Chair for Christian Counseling. She serves as a Rehabilitation and Mental Health counselor and clinical supervisor at Restoration Psychology in Colorado. She earned a Ph.D. from Regent University in Counselor Education and Supervision and an Ed.D. from the University of West Georgia in Professional Counseling and Supervision.
Dr. Temple’s research interests include human relationship dynamics, ethics and counselor identity development, manualized and spiritual integrated therapies, resilience, stress, and wellbeing. She has published in peer reviewed journals such as the Journal of Psychology and Theology, Journal of Mental Health Counseling, International Journal for the Advancement of Counseling, and The Luther Rice Journal of Christian Studies. She has also contributed to chapters in edited texts on The Handbook of Research on Black Males and the quantitative research chapter in PhFinished!: Writing a doctoral dissertation. She co-wrote a case for the Social and Cultural Foundations chapter in Case studies in counselor education.
Dr. Temple is currently writing a social and cultural foundations textbook for graduate counseling and psychology professional training programs called Faith-forward, culturally alert, and responsive counseling with a preliminary edition scheduled for publication in August 2025.
Dr. Katie Majeste holds a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and serves as an Assistant Professor of Counseling at Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS) in Jackson, Mississippi. Katie resides in New Orleans with her husband and two children, though Jackson remains a beloved second home. In addition to her academic role, she maintains a private counseling practice at Celebration Hope Center in Metairie, Louisiana, where she works with adults, adolescents, and couples from a trauma-informed perspective.
Dr. William Richardson joined the faculty of Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS) in 1988. He is a Professor of Counseling and the Practicum and Internship Coordinator at the RTS Master of Arts Counseling Program. Prior to this appointment Dr. Richardson was engaged in a full-time counseling practice in Orlando, Florida. There, he specialized in the treatment of couples and children in the family context. Dr. Richardson has served the church as Youth and Associate Pastor in various settings and as a counselor in two church counseling centers.
Dr. Richardson holds a Ph.D. degree in Counseling from Georgia State University with a cognate area in Family Psychology. He graduated from Wheaton College with majors in both Religious Studies and Psychology.
Dr. Richardson is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and an Approved Supervisor in MS. He is a member of the Mississippi Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. He has over 40 years’ experience as a licensed psychotherapist and over twenty years’ experience being trained in, using, and teaching about Internal Family Systems Therapy.
Dr. Michael Hillerman joined the faculty of RTS Jackson in 2018 and serves as Assistant Professor of Counseling and Director of the Master of Arts in Counseling program. He teaches a range of core courses in the counseling program.
Dr. Hillerman received his Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision with an emphasis in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a focus area in theology from Mississippi State University. Previously, he received his MA in Marriage and Family Therapy and Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary. His area of research is the neurological impact of childhood maltreatment and its effects on adult counseling outcomes.
Dr. Hillerman is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Board Qualified Supervisor in the state of Mississippi. His clinical experience includes counseling adult individuals, couples, adolescents, and families in private practice, college, and church-based settings. In addition to his roles at RTS, Dr. Hillerman continues to maintain a part-time private counseling practice. Dr. Hillerman and his wife Cristy have four adult children.