About Us
Safe Haven Refuge is a faith-based nonprofit organization in Friendswood, Texas, dedicated to creating a place of hope, healing, and restoration for individuals, families, and communities. Rooted in compassion and guided by biblical principles, we believe lasting transformation happens when emotional wellness and spiritual growth come together.
Meet the Team
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Dr. Angela K. Waggoner, LPC-S (TX, LA, VA, FL), LCDC, NCC, CSC
Founder/Owner/NBCC Approved Clinical Supervisor
Dr. Waggoner has been in private practice for over 10 years. She has three years of experience as a certified school counselor. In addition, she is the Online Department Chair at Houston Christian University, where she focuses on training future counselors.
Dr. Waggoner desires to help her clients reach their goals. She is client-centered and utilizes a Cognitive Behavioral approach. She describes herself as eclectic, as she also uses Narrative Therapy, EMDR, and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy.
Dr. Waggoner specializes in working with clients who have experienced pre-marital, marriage, divorce mediation, coparenting, crisis, trauma, complex trauma, PTSD, and suicidal ideations. Dr. Waggoner also specializes in supervising graduate students, LPC-As, and LPC-Rs.
Dr. Waggoner provides both in-office and virtual appointments for ages 10+.
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Christina Garcia, LPC
Executive Director, LPC-Texas
Christina’s area of specialty is working with adolescents and adults with ADHD. I also offer parenting classes and sessions to address needs for the home in working with your children with ADHD or ASD.
Christina also uses EMDR to help clients work through trauma in a more intense and targeted way than traditional therapy.
Finally, Christina offers training addressing ADHD, parenting, and classroom management skills for the community.
Christina provides both in-office and virtual appointments for all ages.
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Dr. Debbie Parker, LPC (VA,TX, CO, FL, SC, OH), DFBC/DFN
Executive Director, LPC-R - Virginia
Debbie’s expertise is working with clients with trauma responses and how trauma impacts the brain, body, and behaviors.
Debbie enjoys working with PTSD, complex PTSD, bipolar, borderline, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and anxiety.
Debbie’s favorite approaches: CBT, DBT, trauma-focused CBT (TFCBT), mindfulness-based stress reduction, and motivational interviewing.
Debbie’s sessions are held virtually. She works with 18+.
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Carrie Curry, LPC-Associate
Supervisor: Dr. Angela Waggoner
My name is Carrie, and I graduated with my Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2024 and am provisionally licensed by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Committee. I interned at the Andrews Center, where I worked with adults suffering from depressive disorders, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder. I also worked with children and adolescents suffering from mental illnesses through AOC outreach. I have both personal and professional experience working with trauma, ADHD, PTSD, self-harm, depression, anxiety, panic disorders, phobias, suicidal thoughts, and cognitive distortions. With these experiences, I can use empathy and authenticity to create an accepting and understanding environment. I enjoy helping others, and I know that you are the expert in your life. I understand that while I may not be able to take away your hardships, I can walk with you so that you are not alone. Mental health recovery can be a long journey, but there is no reason why it cannot get better. I am here for you to remind you it will get better, and I will help you however I can, whatever that looks like. I strive to create a safe and supportive environment where you can grow, be heard, and develop into who you can potentially be. I aim to help my clients explore their emotions, build resilience, and develop healthy coping strategies. My approaches may be described as person-centered, as I know "one size fits all" is not applicable in therapy. I use evidence-based interventions based on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical-behavioral therapy (DBT), mindfulness, and strive to be holistic, as mental health impacts every aspect of life. I would be honored to help my clients and look forward to doing my best by them.
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Alexandra Mendez, Grad Student Intern
Alexandra is a graduate counseling intern from the University of Houston–Clear Lake, working under the supervision of Christina Garcia, LPC.
She provides in-office and virtual appointments for clients of all ages, with a special focus on children, teens, and young adults.
Alexandra is passionate about building genuine connections with her clients and creating a supportive, collaborative environment where growth can take place. She is interested in working with individuals navigating anxiety, stress, and life transitions, while also having experience supporting children on the autism spectrum.
Her approach integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered practices, and Strength-Based strategies, along with psychoeducation, to empower clients and promote resilience.
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Chasity Clark, Grad Student Intern
I’m a Marriage and Family Therapy intern at Capella University, currently in my final year of training and working under the supervision of Christina Garcia, LPV. I approach therapy through a narrative lens, which means I enjoy helping individuals and families explore their stories, make sense of their experiences, and begin to shape new meanings and goals that feel more aligned with who they want to be.
I believe that people already have strengths within them, and sometimes they just need the space and support to reconnect with those strengths. In our work together, I focus on helping clients look at challenges in new ways, build insight, and take steps toward change that feels realistic and meaningful.
I’m especially passionate about working with families. I love helping them find ways to stay connected, communicate more openly, and work through difficult moments together. It’s important to me that everyone I work with feels like they’re making progress, not just talking, but actually moving forward.
Above all, I strive to create a space where people feel safe, heard, and understood. Therapy should feel like a place where you can show up as you are, without judgment, and begin to create the changes you’re hoping for.
Email to book your appointment today! -
Melissa Nix, Grad Student Intern
My name is Melissa Nix, and I am currently a counselor-in-training at the Safe Haven Counseling Center, working under the guidance of Christina Garcia.
I possess a profound belief in the inherent capacity of each individual to grow, heal, and thrive, acknowledging that we all require support at various stages throughout our lives.
I hold in high regard the significance of the therapeutic relationship, coupled with my unwavering faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is through this connection that transformative change may be facilitated within a secure, trusting, and supportive environment. My therapeutic approach is both integrated and customized to meet the distinctive needs of each client. I perceive therapy as a collaborative journey wherein we jointly identify strengths, investigate underlying issues, and devise effective strategies for coping and resilience.
Whether one is seeking short-term support or long-term therapy, my objective is to establish a safe and nonjudgmental environment in which individuals can explore their feelings and thoughts, enhance their self-awareness, and cultivate the tools necessary for a more fulfilling and balanced life. I am genuinely enthusiastic about the opportunity to collaborate with you and to support your journey.