Our Team
Place of Presence brings together professionals serving through two distinct areas of care: Psychological Services and Pastoral & Spiritual Care.
Our team includes clinically trained mental health professionals and Christian Care Consultants, each serving within their respective roles, qualifications, and scope of care.
Together, we share a commitment to compassionate presence and creating a place where individuals can feel seen, heard, supported, and understood.
Our Team
Founder, Clinical & Pastoral Director
Licensed Clinical Psychologist #PSY36799
Dr. Meillanny Gladness, Psy.D.
Dr. Meillanny Gladness believes meaningful healing grows within the safety of an attuned, compassionate, presence-centered therapeutic relationship. Her desire is to create a space where individuals can slow down, process lived experiences and life’s challenges, and experience compassionate presence that fosters lasting growth, resilience, and renewed hope; a place where individuals can pause, reflect, and move toward healing, one session, one step, and one moment of presence at a time.
Her approach is relationship-centered, evidence-based, and integrative while remaining deeply attuned to each person’s unique story. For individuals who desire it, she thoughtfully integrates the Christian faith into the therapeutic process while providing care that is clinically grounded, individually tailored, and rooted in compassionate presence.
Dr. Gladness believes that therapy is a treasured journey of discovery. Along the way, individuals often uncover treasures within themselves that may have gone unseen, including greater self-awareness, deeper self-acceptance, renewed clarity, and a greater capacity to live with authenticity and hope. It is her greatest hope that each individual experiences the gift of healing that begins with presence.
Christian Care Consultant
Serving under the leadership & pastoral oversight of Dr. Gladness
Darcy Barela
Darcy Barela is passionate about helping individuals experience God’s healing, freedom, and transformational love. Her journey into healing and prayer ministry began through her own personal encounter with Jesus Christ and a growing desire to help others experience deeper intimacy with God, healing from past wounds, spiritual restoration, and the comfort of His presence.
Darcy’s ministry is rooted in prayer, compassionate presence, and dependence upon the Holy Spirit. She is particularly passionate about supporting women as they discover their identity in Christ, grow in spiritual confidence, and walk more fully in their God-given calling and purpose.
Through prayer, prophetic encouragement, and faith-based support, Darcy seeks to create a safe and grace-filled environment where people can encounter God’s love, truth, healing, and freedom. Her desire is to help others deepen their relationship with Jesus, hear God’s voice more clearly, and experience greater wholeness through His love and presence.