Lubbock Christian University
astyn's memorial garden located near the LCU behavioral science building

Department of Behavioral Sciences

Department of Behavioral Sciences

Home PageAcademicsColleges and SchoolsCollege of Liberal ArtsDepartment of Behavioral Sciences

Welcome

Welcome to the Behavioral Sciences Department at LCU.

The Department of Behavioral Sciences provides instruction at the undergraduate level in family studies and psychology. In addition, the department is offers graduate degrees in family life education and counseling. As students grow spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually, we strive to:

  • Prepare students for employment working with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations of diverse social and cultural backgrounds.
  • Equip students for lifelong learning including preparation for graduate programs in counseling, family studies, marital and family therapy, psychology, and social work.
  • Empower and encourage students to provide community service with populations at risk through high ideals of the profession and the values of the University.

Graduates of the Department of Behavioral Sciences will be able to:

  • Apply critical thinking skills within the context of professional practice.
  • Practice within the values and ethics of the helping profession and its current structures and issues.
  • Apply the knowledge and skills of the behavioral sciences practice with systems of all sizes.
  • Apply knowledge of bio-psycho-social variables that affect individual development and behavior and use theoretical frameworks to understand the interactions among individuals and between individuals and families, groups, organizations, and communities.
  • Evaluate research studies and apply findings to practice and, under supervision, to evaluate their own practice interventions and those of other relevant systems.
  • Use communication skills differentially with a variety of client populations, colleagues, and members of the community.
  • Use supervision appropriate to professional practice.
  • Function within the structure of organizations and service delivery systems and, under supervision, seek necessary organizational change.
  • Actively participate in community service.

Department of Behavioral Sciences Programs

Astyn's Garden Memorial Park

Astyn’s Garden is located beside the Behavioral Sciences Building on the northeast side of Lubbock Christian University campus. For more information on this memorial park, click the link here.

  Astyn's Garden

Faculty

Profile Photo of Carlos Perez

Dr. Perez received his PhD from Texas Tech University in Marriage and Family Therapy. Research interests and areas of preference include couple interaction and dynamics in therapy, post-affair relationship maintenance, emotional intelligence in relationships, and influence of religious faith in marital forgiveness. Dr. Perez is a Licensed Professional Counselor Intern and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate. Currently, Dr. Perez is an assistant professor of Family Studies in the Behavioral Science department of LCU.

View Complete Profile

Profile Photo of Kaylene Brown

Dr. Brown is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor and Assistant Professor in the Graduate Behavioral Sciences Program. It is her passion to work with counselor-trainees in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program as they complete their degree and move toward becoming licensed counselors. She believes it is important for graduates to be competent counselors as they work in the community in various settings while at the same time balancing their faith against the profession which is often contrary to Christianity.

Dr. Brown has a private practice where she sees clients with depression, grief, chronic pain, end-of-life/life review, domestic violence, and trauma victims. 

She taught online counseling courses for seven years for Liberty University. She has worked with victims of domestic violence at the Women's Protective Services. As a contract specialist, she worked with persons with intellectual disabilities at MHMR. 

She has been a member of the Green Lawn Church of Christ for the past 20 years. Dr. Brown has been married to her high school sweetheart for 46 years. They have two grown children, seven grandchildren, and one great granddaughter. She enjoys spending time with her grandchildren.

View Complete Profile

Profile Photo of LaLani Carter
Profile Photo of Macy Williamson

Dr. Williamson is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas. She has years of experience working with different campus organizations and ministries. Dr. Williamson has a passion for developing strong leaders in the community. She worked with United Future Leaders, the Wesley Foundation, and Foundation, a camp for incoming freshman, throughout her time at Texas Tech. Dr. Williamson has experience working with children and adolescents (K-12), individuals, couples, and families. She is currently the Past President of the West Texas Counseling Association.

View Complete Profile

Profile Photo of Joshuah Ellis

Dr. Joshuah Ellis is a Licensed Professional Counselor and owner of a private counseling practice in Lubbock, TX. He has also been in ministry since 2004 and has spent several years working to normalize mental health in the church. Dr. Ellis received his Ph.D. from Texas Tech University where he researched gender impacts on help-seeking behavior and men’s issues in mental health. He is passionate about cultivating a love for psychology and counseling in his students and nurturing emerging counselors as they prepare for their careers.

Dr. Ellis has lived in Lubbock since 2016 and works with the Hub City church of Christ. Dr. Ellis has a deep love for this community and the counseling profession, serving on the board of the Texas Association of Adult Development and Aging and the West Texas Counseling Association. He has been married to his high-school sweetheart since 2004 and they have three boys.

View Complete Profile