Our Speakers are Seasoned Professionals

We have a passion to share and a heart to care. With a diverse background and years of experience, our team brings wisdom, compassion, and knowledge to empower and equip your community.  

Co-Founder | Speaker | Trainer | Author | Counselor

Melissa Lawver, LPC-S, is a counselor, speaker, author, and co-founder of Watershed Way Training Collective. With nearly two decades of experience in counseling, clinical leadership, higher education, and faith-based settings, Melissa is passionate about helping individuals, churches, and organizations cultivate emotional, relational, and spiritual health.

Melissa began her counseling career in the church setting before serving for 14 years as Clinical Director of a nonprofit counseling center, where she co-founded the Sacred Spaces Symposium. Her experience navigating the intersection of mental health, trauma, faith, and leadership has shaped her passion for equipping others to better understand themselves and the people they serve.

Through speaking engagements, workshops, and professional trainings, Melissa brings practical, trauma-informed insight to topics including healthy boundaries, emotional health and regulation, conflict resolution, relational parenting, burnout and resilience, trauma and shame, and the intersection of faith and mental health. 

She has spoken in business and leadership settings, led Bible studies and mental health and relational trainings in churches, and provided clinical trainings and continuing education for counselors. She has also served as an adjunct Psychology Professor at Dallas Christian College.

Melissa is the founder of Watershed Wellness, PLLC, where she provides trauma-informed therapy for adults, and she provides licensure supervision for counseling associates in Texas. She is certified in EMDR and Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD.

In 2024, Melissa authored Healed and Healing: Embracing Sorrow and Joy, exploring the tension between sorrow and joy and the invitation to embrace the fullness of the healing journey.

Melissa is married to Andrew, a former children’s and youth pastor, and they have one teenage daughter. Together, they serve in the special needs ministry at their church. When she is not working, speaking, or writing, Melissa enjoys walking in the woods, weightlifting, and caring for her plants.

Melissa believes meaningful change happens when we learn to care for the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—and she is passionate about helping people and systems find healthier ways to flow forward.

Co-Founder | Speaker | Trainer | Author | Counselor

Jody holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Dallas Baptist University and is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor in the State of Texas. With a diverse background that includes years in the corporate world and a Master of Science degree in Finance, Real Estate, Law,  from the University of North Texas, Jody brings a unique and well-rounded perspective to his counseling practice and presentations.

In addition to his corporate experience, Jody served nearly two decades as a minister in the local church and continues to provide support to those in and around ministry, making him especially attuned to the challenges of faith-based communities.

Jody is the Clinical Director at Foundations Southlake and spends his time speaking and leading workshops, supervising, and building relationships with others in the community to increase opportunities and impact for Foundations Counseling. 

As a speaker, trainer, and published author, Jody has written two books: 

Scream Without Raising Your Voice and 

Jody’s Journal for Therapeutic Self-Awareness, 

both available on Amazon.

Jody’s extensive mental health training and certifications include:

EMDR Certification (EMDRIA)

Mental Health and Nutrition Clinical Specialist (CMNCS)

Certified Integrative Mental Health Provider (CIMHP)

Brain Health Coach (Amen Clinics)

Gottman Level 1 and 2 Couples Work

Sex and Love Addiction Certification

Speaking topics include but are not limited to:

 Nutrition and Mental health

Boundaries

Trauma and Shame

Understanding People

Pornography and Sex Addiction

Happiness Habits

Parenting the Anxious Child

Jody has been married to his wife, Alicia, since 1994. Alicia is a Special Education teacher and the owner of Renovation Coaching, a resource supporting individuals with level one autism. Together, they have two adult children and share a passion for helping others thrive.