Our History

In His Image Counseling Center began in San Antonio in the early 1990’s, where Sue Baars began her counseling practice. The name “In His Image” came to her as she was contemplating what name to give her private practice. She wanted something that would articulate the focus of her work which was grounded on the psychology of St. Thomas Aquinas and that of her father, Conrad Baars, M.D., and his colleague, Anna Terruwe, M.D. For more detailed information on Thomistic psychology and Affirmation Therapy, visit www.BaarsInstitute.com.

After moving to Dallas in 2002, Sue chose Mother Teresa as the patroness of In His Image Counseling Center. While referrals to the practice have grown, so has the practice itself, with the addition of a number of therapists who all share the same Catholic vision of the human person. The words of St. Mother Teresa inspire the clinicians at In His Image Counseling Center. “We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty.”

Featured in Women of Grace’s Beyond Mindfulness Webinar

Featured on WCAT Radio - Listen here to Sue Baars’ interview about her recently published chapter, “The Importance of Human Formation and Affective Maturity in the Man of Communion.”

Counseling Services

sue baars, PhD, LPC-S, LMFT

clinical director

Dr. Sue Baars is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and Marriage and Family Therapist in Irving, Texas, where she is the owner of In His Image Counseling Center, PLLC. She was a founding member of the Catholic Psychotherapy Association. Sue has worked in the field of counseling since 1986 in both hospital and outpatient settings and focuses her work on the integration of the Christian anthropology of St. Thomas Aquinas with the treatment of a variety of emotional & spiritual problems, among them Emotional Deprivation Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and scrupulosity. She has presented at conferences for priests and religious as well as laity and has been a frequent guest on EWTN’s Women of Grace. She often introduces the work of her late father, psychiatrist and author Conrad Baars, a pioneer in the field of Catholic psychology.

anna wiebold

m.S., lpc-S

Anna received her masters in Clinical Psychology from Divine Mercy University and her bachelors in Philosophy from Christendom College. Anna has been counseling for over 10 years and has worked in a variety of settings ranging from intensive in-home family therapy to outpatient individual counseling.

She serves adolescents and adults, and incorporates a Catholic understanding of the human person into her practice by providing her expertise in psychology and human development through the lens of faith and reason.

Her approach to therapy is one that focuses on discovering one's inherent dignity and value, and promotes healing through truth, self-awareness, hope, and courage.

She has significant experience in treating anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma/PTSD, grief, relationship conflict, and many more. She draws interventions from theories including: CBT, DBT, internal family systems therapy (IFS), attachment based and many more. Anna provides both in person and virtual services.

Anna accepts Aetna insurance.

eleanor moser

m.a., lpc

Ellie graduated from the University of Dallas with a B.A. in English Literature. Since obtaining her Master’s degree in Professional Counseling in 2016, she has worked with adults in group and individual therapy.

Ellie’s belief is that every person has innate dignity and goodness, and she endeavors to help her clients recognize and accept that goodness in themselves as they identify solutions to their personal life challenges. Ellie’s goal is to help her clients live in a more peaceful and joyful way. She uses the Baars Model to assist clients to balance thoughts and feelings, and can incorporate faith and spirituality into the therapeutic process at the client’s discretion.

Ellie works with adults who struggle with a variety of mental health issues. These include anxiety, depression, trauma/PTSD, betrayal trauma, grief and loss, OCD and scrupulosity, phobias, low self-worth, feelings of inadequacy and inferiority, co-dependency, pornography addiction, life purpose and transition, and emotional deprivation. Ellie also helps clients explore family of origin issues which may affect their current beliefs, behaviors, and relationships. Ellie desires to help strengthen clients to move from feeling overwhelmed to being more confident in their ability to face life’s challenges.

As a trauma-informed counselor, Ellie uses EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and IMTT (Image Transformation Therapy) to help clients resolve trauma and relieve emotional distress. Ellie considers it a privilege to accompany clients on their healing journey as she provides a safe space for them to explore and resolve issues and develop increased confidence and resilience.

Ellie accepts Aetna insurance.

elizabeth andrews

m.a., lmft

Liz graduated from the University of Dallas with a B.A. in Theology and from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota with an M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy. She specializes in working with individual adolescents and adults, families with children of all ages, and couples. Liz has experience treating marital problems, relationship and family issues, anxiety, depression, OCD, obsessive thinking and intrusive thoughts, low self-image, trauma, parenting concerns, and emotional deprivation. She has a warm, collaborative approach that highlights and builds on clients’ strengths and guides clients to increased awareness and ability to access skills and strategies that allow them to live richer, more fulfilling lives.
As a marriage and family therapist, she takes a systemic approach to working with all her clients, keeping in mind the importance of relationships and how they affect and shape us. As a couples and marriage therapist, Liz relies heavily on the principles and methods of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), a well-researched method of couples therapy. As a Catholic therapist, her understanding of healing is grounded in a profound belief in the dignity of each person as a creation of God.

Deb Karulf

MSW, LCSW-S, DCSW

Deb is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Supervisor in Texas. She has a B. A. / B. S. W. in Social Work, Speech and Drama from Augustana University, and an M.S.W. from the University of Minnesota in Clinical /Psychiatric Social Work with concomitant training at the University’s Marriage and Family Therapy program. Deb completed a Clinical Social Work Fellowship in Adolescent Psychiatry at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA.

Deb has dedicated her career to helping people get “unstuck” from life challenges, particularly during times of acute stress and emotional need. She has over 30 years’ experience as a psychotherapist, conference speaker, and provider of professional consultation to therapists, pastors, schools and medical professionals.

Her primary focus is on adolescent, adult, and couples counseling services. Deb has served clients in a variety of areas including outpatient and inpatient settings. She specializes in marital/ premarital and couples counseling, relationship issues, anxiety, depression, issues of grief and loss, emotional deprivation disorder, spiritual concerns, and identity issues related to self-esteem and self-worth. Services are provided within an atmosphere that nurtures and allows for a Christian perspective, as desired by the individual(s).

Deb draws from a variety of useful therapeutic resources, including: systems oriented, cognitive-behavioral, insight-oriented, problem solving and solution focused approaches to counseling. She seeks to tailor her treatment according to an individual’s needs. In her collaborative work with individuals or couples, Deb’s goal is to create a safe, affirming, grace-filled environment that ultimately empowers, equips and enables her clients to heal, recover, restore wholeness, and live a more gratifying and fulfilling life.

JOSEPH SANFORD

B.A.

Supervised by Anna Wiebold, MS, LPC-S

Joseph is pursuing an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through Divine Mercy University. He is a graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he earned a BA in History with a minor in philosophy. His education has helped inform his understanding of the human person seen through the synthesized lenses of philosophy, theology, and psychology. Joseph recognizes that every person is created in God’s image with innate dignity and goodness, experiences trials and suffering in this world due to sin, but is ultimately called to experience the fullness of life through Christ’s redemption.

Joseph’s approach to counseling is relational. He believes in the collaborative effort of exploring problems and making connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to better understand oneself in working towards one’s goals.

Joseph works with clients of all ages and is trained to help individuals navigate a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma/PTSD, OCD, men’s issues, relationship concerns, pornography addiction, life transitions, and questions of purpose and meaning. As he continues to grow and develop as a counselor, Joseph remains committed to expanding his knowledge and skills in order to provide the highest quality care. He is dedicated to meeting the unique needs of each client and considers it a privilege to walk alongside those he serves

Baars Life Coaching

Bernhard Streisselberger

My name is Bernhard Streisselberger, and I am a native of Neuhofen/Ybbs, Austria. In 2016, I graduated from the Sigmund Freud University of Vienna (Austria) with a Masters in Psychotherapy-Science. In 2020, I moved to Steubenville, Ohio to further my studies and graduated from Franciscan University with a Masters in Theology in 2023.

Recently, I have immersed myself in the great works of Dr. Conrad Baars. In his psychology, I have discovered a wealth of resources for exploring and expanding one's deepest strengths. As a "Baars Life Coach" I love to offer accompaniment and guidance in living the affirming life and help my clients grow and thrive in their human, emotional, and spiritual development.

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Bernhard is available to those persons seeking help through the Baars Model of therapy but who live outside of the state of Texas. The therapists at In His Image Counseling Center are restricted by our state licensure to offer psychotherapy only to residents of the state of Texas. While he cannot provide therapy per se, Bernhard’s background and knowledge of the Baars Model of therapy (Affirmation therapy) will benefit those who seek help through his coaching assistance as a Baars Life Coach.

For more information and to schedule a coaching appointment, please see www.threshmountains.com