About Us

Otis Fox is the Pastor and founder of New Life Counseling Center.  He and his wife Lynn guide the Center and provide the care and understanding that encourages the staff and keeps NLCC on track and true to it’s mission.  He has a personal relationship with Marilyn Murray and was instrumental in sponsoring her work here in the Ventura County area.  He is a man of God with a heart of compassion for the needs of the Oxnard/Ventura area and has a burgeoning practice.  He is the elder statesman for the Biblical Counseling Community here in Ventura County.

Lynn serves as Business Manager and counselor at New Life as well as being our staff "mom".  Her mission in life is to "Encourage, Enlighten and Inspire those around her through God's Love, wisdom and understanding."  She has a diploma in Biblical Counseling through the "American  Association of Christian Counselors" and has been on the Board of New Life Counseling for 25 years.  She has taught at Calvary Community Church in  West Lake for  eight years in a career transition ministry called "Career Transition  Now".  This ministry and New Life Counseling have been the centers for helping people get in alignment with where God wants them to be.  This is where God has used her the most.  She assists in all aspects of New Life  and truly loves what she does.

Maria is a pastor’s wife and an accomplished counselor both in English and Spanish.   Her mission statement is "To encourage, inspire and help accomplish the transformation of the mind and to heal the broken heart".   She has a degree in Counseling Ministry from Summit Bible College and she has served as a counselor/adviser to students at Summit to assist in their entrance documentation as well as their choice of classes and focus for their lives.  She enabled students to set goals and determine the steps and formulate the pathway to achieve those goals.  She has facilitated growth groups and partners with her husband to pastor their congregation. She is a dedicated counselor with an ambition to help families to succeed in meeting the challenges of our culture.  Her experience in counseling spans both faith based and secular institutions and she has a broad and diverse experience base.

Melissa's experience as a counselor with the American Association Christian Counselors here at New Life Counseling Center for the past 10 years has allowed her to live out her purpose in life. Her life mission statement is to Inspire, Connect and Restore the Human Soul, creating wholeness, freedom and peace. It's a theme that runs through her very bones throughout her life, in all she does. She is a Graduate of Otis Fox Counseling Training Program at New Life Counseling Center, Healing the Inner Child and a Graduate of Marilyn Murray Inner Healing Workshops, Master Classes /Training Program & Overcoming Childhood Trauma. She has been a vital part of Celebrate Recovery for the past 14 years as a Sponsor, Step Study leader, Accountability Partner and a Sponsee. She has served in the church most of her life, and also as a Director of New Life Ministries for 5 years at The Lighthouse Church. Her life experience includes a 37 year marriage with 2 adult children that included a separation, reconciliation and restoration.  Her and her husband are now their best selves living their best life! Childhood trauma led her to these very rooms for counseling, she had been through years of talk therapy unsuccessfully and discovered freedom from childhood trauma through Healing the Inner Child. She's homegrown and continues to help others be set free from the effects of all kinds of trauma that affects all areas of our lives. She is living proof it works!

Carmen is a long-time resident of Ventura County and is married with two adult children.  After receiving many years of wonderful healing through New Life Counseling Center, she finds joy in serving others through the ministry of healing and restoration at New Life.  She has been a part of the advanced courses taught by Marilyn Murray and has completed her counselor training under Otis Fox.  She also has a certification from the American Association of Christian Counselors.  Her hobbies include long walks at the beach, gardening, and playing the piano

Darlene is graduate of SoCal Christian University, the Otis Fox Counseling Training Program, Marilyn Murray Inner Healing Workshop and Overcoming Childhood Trauma. She is also currently enrolled at the Lighthouse University; the academic arm of the American Association of Christian Counselors. She enjoys working with individuals through a variety of issues such as anxiety, depression, life transition, relational issues, and loss.

She believes that the counseling relationship is a powerful tool that points people to hope in their darkest days. She has been a recipient of counseling and has experienced first-hand the change that can occur within the context of a therapeutic relationship. She believes that a holistic approach to counseling which addresses issues through the lens of mind, body, and spirit can help provide insight into a new way of dealing with issues in life. Her hope for those who sit in front of her is that they would receive practical steps for healing alongside biblical wisdom that can be a catalyst for change. She wants her clients to feel both heard and challenged when they come to a session. She relates, “I would be honored to hear your story and work alongside you as we seek to promote health and healing in your life.”

I have had a passion for reaching broken, hurting people for years! My own journey at New Life Counseling Center continues helping me help others. My life is no longer what it once was.  I find no greater pleasure then passing on what I’ve learned by Counseling others.

I use a variety of methods for helping people reach their own personal goals.  I have completed certification through AACC in Stress and Trauma, the Murray Method, Levels 1-3, Counselor Training with Otis Fox and also other Inner Healing Workshops. I have attended 12 weeks of classes through NAMI (for those challenged with Mental Illness issues). And I have experienced first-hand the effects of Addictions and Recovery within family and friends, and took classes to further my knowledge firsthand. I continue to attend Celebrate Recovery, CodA classes whenever schedule permits. And I have been a minister of the Gospel for over 20 years.  My Mission Statement is …. “ He gives them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.”    I can attest that there is life and hope after trauma!!

Michelle was born and raised in Ventura County and is married to her high-school sweetheart of 37 years, they have three adult children, and six young grandchildren.

Her personal life experience with childhood trauma brought her to New Life Counseling years ago and she has discovered freedom through healing her inner child. Michelle has understood since she was a little girl the importance of being heard and wants individuals that she meets with to know that she is listening with an open mind and a heart full of compassion. It is her desire to share with others how to overcome the obstacles of all of life’s trauma and the power of healing when we expose the lies for truth, exchange the pain for beauty, and help bring peace and wholeness to others with the hope and freedom that Jesus offers.

She has been through The Murray Method Counseling Levels I & II, Inner Healing Workshop, and values the vitality of healing so that she may compassionately share these life tools for others to receive the same love and forgiveness of self and others.

She has graduated the Otis Fox Counseling Training Program and is currently attending Light University of American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) as it is Michelle’s passion to continue to learn and grow and says it would be an honor to walk beside others into seeing all that God has created each individual to be.

One particular verse that has been a vital part of Michelle’s life story is Joshua 1:9 Be Strong and Courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord God is with you wherever you go.

Veronica Lucio was Raised in Ventura County.   God Began to heal her from childhood trauma and emotional abuse in 1995 when she received Christ as her Savior.  She is committed to the healing process and has discovered her passion and purpose through God and His design for her life journey. She is currently enrolled in Light University earning a biblical counseling certificate.  She has successfully completed Marilyn Murray Training Level 1 & 2,  Counselor Training with Otis Fox at NLCC and completed 12 step study in Celebrate Recovery. She actively demonstrates that it is her honor and privilege to serve in her community and local church with troubled youth and hurting families in God’s healing journey for them.  She is continually mindful of where she came from and how the Lord has done many Miracles in her Life and family and she believes there is HOPE for anyone.  She and her family are living testimonies of Gods Healing power. Veronica and her husband Jose have been married for 36 years and have 4 amazing adult children.  They have been blessed with a daughter in law and a son in law, so far they have 4 beautiful grandchildren and are excited for a growing family, They Love their German Shepard “Koda” & Grand-Dogs Darla & Joy.

For fun she Enjoys hiking, kayaking, biking and anything “Nature”.  Cooking is another passion and she enjoys sharing that gift with family and friends.  Her motto for her family is “We don’t have it all together but together we have it All”  her mission statement is:  “To help myself and others heal from the” wounds of the battlefield of Life, with a loving heart, nurturing spirit, being slow to speak and quick to listen, in a safe place.  Isaiah 61 

David Hogan lives in Ventura, California with Dawn, his wife. They both have an adult daughter from previous marriages and we have been empty nesters since November 2021. Dawn and David have been residents of Ventura County their entire lives, most of which has been in the city of Ventura. In 2013 my role changed from having a career in a variety of accounting positions, as well as payroll and human resources, to becoming disabled after two unsuccessful cervical spine surgeries. The first in January 2013, the second in August 2015. Pain is a daily companion that keeps me dependent on Jesus. Like Peter on the water, I sink without the power and grace of God. I ran from God like Jonah, but did not get spit out on the path that God wanted me on. It was through the storms of life without God that I had no other choice, but to turn to Him, trust His wisdom and love one day, one step and one moment at a time. In December 2016 I was ready to meet Jesus face to face and Jesus understood. Jesus called me to follow him up, out of the grave and into a new life. So, I stopped believing in Jesus and started following Jesus. Through my seeking God’s way in all areas of my life, and by replacing what “I” thought, with “God’s” thoughts, I found out that I could not ever be the Christian I thought I had to be. I realized I never fully accepted the work of the cross that Jesus Christ completed. It was Jesus who conquered sin and death. I’m alive because of his love and compassion. I might not have specific answers for any person's needs, but I will certainly come alongside you as you seek, ask and knock for your specific journey. Here is just some of my journey and training: Celebrate Recovery’s any hurt(s), habit(s) or hangup(s) where I worked the 12 steps and 8 principles. Dawn and I personally experienced Premarital Re-marital counseling, seeking God’s path and purpose for marriage. Financial, including finding financial unity in marriage. Boundaries in relationships. Most of my focus has been on relationship’s, with self, God and others. It’s in relationships we get hurt and in relationships we find healing. The lists of books, Bible studies, workshops, training’s and classes are too numerous to list and what I know will never compare to what I still look forward to learning.

Anthony is passionate about encouraging men of all ages, and is dedicated to guiding individuals towards inner healing through the timeless wisdom of biblical principles. By combining the power of scripture with the transformative Marilyn Murray method, this empowers men to release the burdens of shame and guilt associated with life's decisions.
As a firm believer in the principle from Proverbs 27:17 , understands that just as iron sharpens iron, a man can sharpen the countenance of his friend. Let's join together on a journey of self-discovery, spiritual growth, and personal transformation."