Meet our Counselors

Are you emotionally spent by caring for others? Feeling like you have insufficient energy and time to do what you feel like you should do?

Are you finding yourself increasingly upset by the level of conflict and tension in your relationships with your family, friends, and intimate partners? Do you want to find strength, insight and encouragement to help you so you can express who you really are, and make peace around you?  

 These are all problems of caring, virtue, identity, and meaning - areas which I have spent my career working to understand and address.  As a doctorate level clinical counselor, I have a good deal of experience and training - but more importantly, as a husband, father, counselor, firefighter, and caregiver for aging family, I know some of the burdens that trouble people who want to serve and care for others.

I am trained in some powerful healing methods, such as motivational interviewing (MI), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). As a part time college professor teaching the classics, I learned some timeless wisdom in literature and philosophy that can also help us in our darker moments. As we read in Proverbs, "A good word in due season is like apples of gold in fittings of silver." A good helper knows what you might need to hear at the right time. 

As I believe we are all called to grow, I am currently in seminary on the road to becoming a chaplain, and hopefully a rabbi. I hope those with an interest in spirituality will find nourishing fellowship in our sessions together. As someone who feels called to serve others, I welcome all those who are seeking to continue their development to become better helpers and caregivers, better wives and husbands and and parents - but most importantly, better people.

In 2015, I earned a Ph.D. in Counselor Education, with dissertation on Empathy and Moral Development. I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and member of the Association for Biblical Counselors.

Counseling is something that has been negatively stigmatized for far too long. I applaud you for taking the first step towards not only fighting that stigma but fighting for your mental health. I’d like to put forward my most genuine and authentic self to work with you toward creating a healthier future where you can envision yourself as a more stable and happier person. I welcome clients from all backgrounds and will be as inclusive as possible. 

I closely identify with the humanistic approach, which is present during sessions. I aim to consistently create a person-centered environment, in hopes the client can feel unconditional positive regard. I have experience applying Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialect Behavioral Therapy, Applied Behavioral Analysis, Mindfulness Therapy techniques, Motivational Interviewing, and utilizing a strengths-based approach. All treatment approaches are individually tailored to the needs of each client I see to ensure the utmost ethical and beneficial care is offered. I have treated many disorders, but most commonly see Anxiety Disorder, Depression, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Eating Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Bipolar I and II Disorder, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Other common topics I've seen in sessions include peer and partner relationships, work and school stressors, family stressors, self-care, coping skills, and communication patterns. 

I earned a Master of Science in Counseling Education, with a concentration in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Southern Maine. I also have earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Southern Maine. I am continuing to work towards being fully licensed, while conditionally being supervised with an LPC-C. I have been in the mental health field primarily serving the Maine community formerly as a case manager and working closely with those who have been diagnosed with developmental disorders. The work of helping others has always been a passion of mine and will continue to be. 

I’m Tim Peper, and I’ve spent my life trying to figure out how we all navigate the messy, complicated, and often bewildering world of being human. Over the years, I’ve come to believe that therapy isn’t about fixing people, because no one is broken. It’s about creating space – space to breathe, to think, to feel, and to make sense of the tangled-up burdensome stories we carry. I work from a trauma-informed, holistic perspective, which means I don’t just look at what’s happening in your head – I look at what’s going on in your body, your relationships, and the deeper, spiritual stuff that might be swirling beneath the surface.

I specialize in helping people who are stuck, overwhelmed, or just feel like they’re drowning in the weight of their past experiences. Trauma, anxiety, depression, compulsive behaviors, anger – I’ve been there with my clients, and I know the work isn’t easy. But it’s also not something you have to face alone. I integrate techniques from Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Narrative Therapy, helping you get some distance from those old patterns and find a way to live that’s more in line with who you really are, and how you really want to show up in the world, not who the world says you should be.

I’ve also spent many years rolling dice and building worlds as a game master, and now as a certified Therapeutic Gamemaster, I believe that play is where we really start to explore and experience who we are without the heavy armor we wear every day. Whether it's traditional therapy or roleplaying in Dungeons & Dragons, we’ll co-create a space where you can explore, mess up, and start over. My job isn’t to push you but to walk alongside you, helping you find the courage to face whatever dragons are standing in your way – real or imagined. And if you’re open to it, we’ll bring your body and spirit into the process, too, because healing isn’t just a mental game – it’s an all-in, whole-self journey.

As I embark on my clinical practicum and internship, I am grateful to be joining the team at Abundant Sun Counseling & Fellowship.

While my clinical education is rooted in empirically based theories, my therapeutic presence is heart-centered and open. I align closely with Existential and Person-Centered Therapy, augmenting with behavioral and action-based tools as needed. I seek to accompany my clients on their journey toward self-knowledge, inner-peace, and overall balance within their lives. I work with women and older adults experiencing a myriad of challenges, including significant life transitions, anxiety, depression, grief & loss, chronic pain & illness, end-of-life preparedness, religious trauma, and moral injury. 

I understand the path to wholeness and healing can be both tumultuous and wonderous. If you are an individual seeking recovery in your life, I applaud you. Weaving divine meaning through our lives is one of the most precious gifts available to us. I would be honored to walk along-side you on your journey.

Hey there! I’m Eunice Francis. I’ve spent nearly 10 years in the mental health and human services field, and I graduated from the University of Maine Augusta with a degree in Mental Health & Human Services and a minor in Psychology back in 2017. I started my Master’s journey in clinical counseling at the end of 2019, and I’m on track to graduate in December 2024. After that, I plan to get licensed as a conditional LCPC. I’ve worked in various roles in the field, from a Substance Abuse Counselor to a Social Worker. 

One thing I’m super passionate about is ecotherapy. I truly believe that nature can work wonders for our mental well-being, and I love bringing that into my practice. Whether it’s hiking, sitting by a lake, or just soaking in the fresh air, I think there’s a healing quality to the outdoors that’s hard to beat. My approach to counseling is all about focusing on your strengths. I use Motivational Interviewing, which is just a fancy way of saying I want to partner with you to help you find your own reasons for making changes. Mindfulness is also a big part of what I do, being present in the moment can really make a difference. I like to keep things simple and practical, using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to break down challenges into bite-sized pieces. We’ll work together to develop new habits and coping skills that can help you feel better in your everyday life. My areas of expertise are anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, borderline personality disorder, and trauma. My goal is to create a warm and supportive space where you can feel safe exploring your challenges and strengths.

When I’m not working, you’ll find me outside, hiking, kayaking, or fishing. Being in nature is a huge part of who I am, and I love sharing that joy with others. If you’re looking for a down-to-earth counselor who gets it, I’d love to connect!