Meet the Mental Health Advisory Team
Dr. Sunita Punjabi
Having a Ph.D. in Psychology, Master’s in Counseling, and a certified Life Coach, Dr. Sunita is the Founder of Brain Coach LLC. which provides people with a method of coaching that focuses on “rewiring” your brain, resulting in lasting transformation. Specializing in the science of Neuro Plasticity and biofeedback, Dr. Sunita, is able to assist individuals and groups achieve new levels of mental and physical performance focusing on addressing the cause of the challenges that individuals face creating solutions that last and are sustainable.
Jonnie Wilson, M.A., LPC, NCC
Jonnie Wilson is a Licensed Professional Counselor, NCC, MA. She has served Texas State University and the surrounding community in various capacities for the past 32 years.
Wilson is a LPC working in her own Private Practice and CEO of Speaking Heart to Heart, Women Wellness Counseling. She provides counseling in San Marcos and San Antonio, while her clients are marginalized communities, veterans of color and members of LGBTQIA.
She was employed as a Sexual Assault Outreach Counselor at Hays Caldwell County Women Center in San Marcos and was responsible for creating awareness to the Black community. Wilson completed a yearlong institute with Trauma Support Services of North Texas and earned a certificate in Trauma Informed Therapy.
In August of 2020, Wilson retired from Texas State University after twenty-four years of service in various capacities: Career Counselor in Career Services, Assistant Director in the Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion and a Resident Director in the Department of Housing and Residential life.
In 1993, Jonnie earned both a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Texas State University and was the recipient of (and the first African American woman to do so), the coveted Texas State’s Lyndon Baines Johnson Outstanding Senior Award.
In 1996, Jonnie earned a Master of Arts degree from University of Missouri-Columbia in Black, African and Mexican History, and was also a recipient of the prestigious Thurgood Marshall Fellowship. In May 2019, she earned a Master of Arts Degree in Professional Counseling at Texas State University. She was the recipient of the Mariel Muir Mentoring Award in 2009, Excellence in Diversity Award in 2015 and inducted into San Marcos Women’s Hall of Fame in 2015 and the Texas State’s Outstanding Staff Award in Women’s History in 2008.
Wilson is a strong advocate for marginalized populations. Her research interests includes: Racial/ Generational Trauma, Black Women’s issues on mental health and sexual trauma. She is also member of Family Life International in San Antonio, Texas. Wilson is the proud parent of three daughters, three grandchildren and one grandson.
Melinda Spruill
Melinda Spruill is the proud Mother of four beautiful children. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NCA&T) and her master’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management of Technology
from the University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA).
In her over 20-year career in Software Engineering, Melinda spent four years as an active-duty United States Air Force officer, and the rest of her career working for companies that specialize in military contracts.
Melinda is passionate about serving in her church and community, especially in the area of mental wellness. Melinda serves as the Mental Wellness Ministries Coordinator at Family Life International Ministries, where she has been a member for over 25 years. Melinda has been instrumental in helping to implement Family Life’s Mental Wellness Ministry program as well as hosting training events via Zoom for the community. Melinda has increased her knowledge in the mental health space by receiving certifications from the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) Light University for Mental Health Coach, Life Coach, and Trauma Informed Care. She has also
received certifications in Adult Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid.
Melinda is originally from the Carolinas, spending half her years before moving to Texas in South Carolina and the other half in North Carolina. Over the past 26 years, Melinda has made her home in the San Antonio area. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading and writing.
Dr. Andy Gray
Paraclete Concepts
Certifications & Licensure
- Google Level 1 & 2 Certified Jun 2022-Current
- Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor Aug 2021-Current
- Mental Health First Aid Jun 2021-Current
- Advanced Certification in Crisis & Abuse Therapy Jun 2020-Current
- Advanced Certification in Integrated Marriage & Family Therapy Jun 2020-Current
- Certified Fire Chaplain Sept 2014-Current
- Spiritual & Psychological First Aid Nov 2013-Current
- FEMA- NIMS & ICS Training Jun 2013-Current
- CISM: Advanced Group Crisis Intervention Apr 2013-Current
- Suicide Prevention, Intervention & Postvention Mar 2013-Current
- Individual Crisis Intervention & Peer Support Dec 2012-Current
- Grief Following Trauma Nov 2012-Current
- Emotional and Spiritual Care in Disasters Nov 2012-Current
- Ordained Minister/Pastor Jan 2005-Current
Memberships
- National Christian Counselors Association Apr 2018-Current
- American Association of Christian Counselors Feb 2022-Current
Meet the Spiritual Advisory Team
Bishop Alfred D. Blue, Jr.
Bishop Alfred D. Blue, Jr. is the Founder and Senior Pastor of Family Life
International Ministries, the President of Hope Strategies, Inc., and the Vice
President of Faith & Community Wellness, Inc. He and his wife, Veron, have been married for 35 years, and are the parents of two great sons, A.D. (34) and Austin (31). He also has a daughter, Shianna Marie Blue, of Syracuse, New York, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Blue has consistently been a voice of leadership and an innovator in developing faith and community-based programs. The efforts of his work have fostered partnerships with the Baptist Health Foundation, San Antonio Fighting Back, WestCare, BEAT AIDS Coalition and The Bexar County Adult Probation.
Bishop Blue’s life assignment is to bring God, Family, and Community together; and that work continues through Bishop Blue’s involvement in the community.
He has given leadership and inspiration to other organizations – serving as chairman of the Board for the BEAT AIDS Coalition Trust, advocating for education, awareness, and treatment for those living with HIV/AIDS. He was also a past Board Member of Alternative Life Moving Strategies, Inc., of San Marcos, and nationally, is the Southwest Regional Director for Covenant Fellowship International (CFI), a church leadership & development consortium, based in Jacksonville, Florida.
Mental Health Certifications:
- Wellness Champion (Bridges to Care/NAMI) – 2021
- Mental Health Coach (AACC) – 2023
- Ministry Wellness Coach (WestCare/SAMHSA) – 2023
Rev. Jermine Alberty, BSB/M, M. Div
Rev. Jermine Alberty, Founder/Principal at SALT Initiative, LLC, has 25 years of experience serving in nonprofit, faith communities, mental health, and city government and has worked in the mental health field as an educator and trainer for 12 years. He is a national trainer of Mental Health First Aid USA; the Executive Director of Pathways to Promise and the former Senior Pastor of Bethel Baptist Church. He holds a bachelor's degree and a Master of Divinity.
Pastor Austin Blue
Pastor Austin was installed as lead pastor of Family Life International Ministries in September 2022. Under the leadership of the church founders, he gives oversight to worship services, life groups, sermon series, community engagement, and member care.