Staff
Meet the leadership and clinical team of the Community Counseling Center.
Carolina Benitez
Interim Director
Dr. E. Carolina Benitez, PhD, LCHMC-S (NC), LPC-S (SC), NCC joined Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in 2018. She is a native of Honduras who immigrated to the United States in 1995 as a high school student, accompanied by her parents and siblings. Early personal experiences sparked her interest in the mental wellness of Hispanic immigrant families living in the US. Dr. Benitez completed an MA in Clinical Counseling at Columbia International University in 2014 and a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte in 2018. Her clinical work and research focus on Hispanic immigrant communities: prevention and treatment of mental health diagnoses, the effects of acculturation, and improving quality and access to services delivered to this and other under-resourced groups. Dr. Benitez has experience working in different contexts, including community-based, outpatient addiction rehabilitation, and private practice.
Dr. Benitez is an assistant professor of counseling at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She has served in leadership, clinical, supervisory, and administrative roles within ministry, educational, healthcare, and nonprofit settings. As an educator, supervisor, and researcher, Dr. Benitez is passionate about training and equipping professionals for community-based clinical and advocacy work. As an immigrant and local community member, her goal is to engage, empower, and equip others to make a difference in their families and communities.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Interns
Jennifer Lane
Jennifer is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Intern and third-year master’s student at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She holds a BBA from West Texas A&M and spent over 20 years serving in a Texas-based non-profit ministry. Jennifer also has experience in accounting and currently teaches preschoolers at her local church.
Jennifer is passionate about helping people navigate anxiety, whether it’s general, social anxiety, perfectionism, stress, worry, or burnout. She also enjoys supporting those who are facing life transitions, depression, family disconnection, grief, or loss. Jennifer values empathetic connection and creating spaces where people feel seen and known.
To book a free initial consultation with Jennifer, visit our client portal at Community Counseling Center at Gordon- Conwell Theological Seminary For further questions, you may reach Jennifer directly at 704-940-5823.
Melody Mosteller
Melody is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Intern and third-year student at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She holds a bachelor’s degree in healthcare management from Appalachian State and has 18 years of experience at Atrium Health. Melody serves as a deacon and Director of Visual Media at her church, enhancing worship through creative design. She takes a holistic, empathetic approach to counseling and lives in North Carolina with her two dogs and two cats.
Melody enjoys working with individuals who have experienced childhood trauma, acute trauma, spiritual abuse, and church hurt, as well as individuals navigating OCD, depression, and anxiety. She works with individuals over the age of 10 and couples. She is passionate about helping people who have experienced childhood trauma and/or abuse find life and joy on the other side of trauma, and to know that trauma does not define one’s life. She especially enjoys supporting clients who live with chronic illness or disability, and caregivers or family members of the elderly, chronically ill, or disabled, offering them a safe space to process their experiences and find strength and hope.
To book a free initial consultation with Melody, visit our client portal at Community Counseling Center at Gordon- Conwell Theological Seminary For further questions, you may reach Melody directly at 704-940-5858.
Kurt Dietrich
Kurt is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Intern and third-year master’s student at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He holds degrees in Engineering and Business from the University of Illinois and has extensive experience in business, mentoring, and small group leadership. He enjoys basketball, beach time with family, and shares a birthday with his wife, Jean.
Kurt enjoys working with adults 18 and older who want their lives to work better. He is passionate about helping people who feel anxious, depressed, or uncertain about their personal lives, relationships, families, and careers. He also likes to help them explore how their past experiences might affect their lives today. Kurt uses an integrative counseling approach rooted in empathy and trust.
To book a free initial consultation with Kurt, visit our client portal at Community Counseling Center at Gordon- Conwell Theological Seminary For further questions, you may reach Kurt directly at 704-940-5838.