Meet our Team
Jason Woodford, LCPC
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor | Founder & Director, Woodford and Associates Counseling
Jason Woodford is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in the state of Illinois and the founder and director of Woodford and Associates Counseling. He holds a B.A. in Ministry and an M.A. in Counseling from Lincoln Christian University and is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Walden University. Jason specializes in working with adults and couples, offering support in areas such as depression, anxiety, grief and loss, divorce recovery, spirituality, existential concerns, and men’s issues.
Jason has a deep passion for interpersonal psychotherapy groups, where he helps individuals build meaningful connections, explore emotional patterns, and experience healing through the therapeutic power of group dynamics. His work in group settings reflects his belief in the value of shared experience and mutual support in fostering personal growth.
Before becoming a therapist, Jason served as an ordained minister and worked in the construction field—two vocations that continue to inform his grounded, practical, and compassionate approach to therapy. He strives to be fully present with his clients, listening carefully and offering thoughtful, evidence-based support tailored to their unique situations.
Jason enjoys spending time with his wife, Traci, and is the proud father of seven children. Outside of his clinical work, he finds joy in woodworking and aviation—interests that reflect his appreciation for both creativity and precision.
Hollie Perez, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Hollie Perez is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Illinois. She holds an MA in Counseling from Lincoln Christian University. Hollie specializes in couples counseling, addiction treatment, anger management, and spiritual wellness. Drawing from a range of therapeutic approaches—including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), The Gottman Method, Motivational Interviewing, and mindfulness-based sobriety—Hollie tailors her work to meet each client’s unique needs and goals.
In her work with couples, she helps partners strengthen emotional bonds, improve communication, and rebuild trust. Her approach to addiction counseling focuses on identifying underlying patterns and fostering long-term recovery. She also offers practical tools for emotional regulation and conflict resolution for those struggling with anger.
Hollie values the role of spirituality in healing and thoughtfully integrates clients’ faith and beliefs into therapy when appropriate. Her style is warm, collaborative, and rooted in the belief that meaningful change happens within safe and authentic relationships.
Outside of the therapy room, Hollie enjoys time with her family and beloved pets. She holds a degree in Equestrian Science and hopes to someday incorporatie equine therapy into her clinical practice. Her hobbies include participating in dog shows and tackling home remodeling projects, which she finds both challenging and rewarding
Ross Thomas, MA, LPC, NCC Licensed Professional Counselor | National Certified Counselor
Ross Thomas is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and National Certified Counselor (NCC) in the state of Illinois. He holds a B.A. in Organizational Management from Lincoln Christian University and an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Colorado Christian University. Ross specializes in working with adults navigating trauma, addiction, anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions, and high-acuity presentations, with a particular focus on first responders.
Ross brings a depth of real-world experience that is rare in the counseling field, before entering clinical practice, he spent 27 years working inside federal correctional institutions with the Federal Bureau of Prisons. In that role, he worked daily alongside individuals with extensive trauma histories, developed national-level policy on trauma-informed de-escalation and humane restraint practices, and spent a decade as a member of the institution’s Special Operations Response Team, providing a frontline role in managing the most critical and high-risk situations the federal correctional environment could present. That career instilled in him a deep cultural competence and credibility, he speaks the language, lived the culture, and understands firsthand what it means to carry the weight of that world long after the shift ends. This makes him uniquely equipped to serve first responders who need a clinician who truly gets it.
In his therapeutic approach, Ross draws on experiential, evidence-based modalities including EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Coherence Therapy. He believes that lasting change happens beneath the surface, not just through talking about pain, but through experiencing a genuine shift in how it is held in the mind and body. His style is direct, grounded, and warm, shaped by decades of building meaningful rapport with diverse and often underserved populations.
Outside of his clinical work, Ross is based in central Illinois and is committed to making quality care accessible, offering both in-person and online sessions with weekday availability. In his personal time, he enjoys fabricating metal art, camping, and trail running, and has been a dedicated martial artist since 1980. He also volunteers his time providing pro bono counseling at a local homeless shelter, a reflection of his enduring commitment to serving those who are often overlooked.
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