Dr. Josh Stanley serves as Director of Community Mental Health & Well-being at St. Luke’s where he provides leadership for the Community Counseling Center and promotes integration of mental health awareness and well-being across all of the church’s ministries.
As a mental health counselor, Dr. Josh values supporting clients on their journey, navigating life’s challenges with a focus on hope and personal growth. Dr. Josh believe our past doesn’t have to define our present, and his work with clients is often focused on the here-and-now. Dr. Josh emphasizes a practical and collaborative approach to psychotherapy, focusing on setting achievable goals and making small, positive changes that can lead to big impacts. He enjoys helping individuals and couples navigate life stressors and transitions, relationship issues, and concerns related to anxiety and depression, and he specializing in working with members of the LGBTQ+ community. He is passionate about creating a welcoming and affirming space for everyone in the community.
Prior to St. Luke’s, Dr. Josh held a variety of roles. He has clinical experience as a school counselor and mental health counselor in private practice, and he has held academic appointments, including full-time faculty in counselor education, program chair, dean, and vice president at a large university. He has been active in the professional community, speaking at numerous counseling-related conferences, and he has previously served as president of the Middle Tennessee Counseling Association, president of the Tennessee School Counselor Association, and on the governing board of the Florida School Counselor Association.
Dr. Josh holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, master’s degree in counseling, and doctor of education degree in counselor education and supervision. He has completed advanced graduate coursework in educational leadership, systemic couple and family therapy, and United Methodist studies. He is a licensed mental health counselor and certified school counselor and he holds the national certified counselor and approved clinical supervisor credentials.
