Meet Our Team

Cornelia A. Thomas, M.Ed., LMHC

Principal & Counselor

Cornelia has tirelessly served children and families in Pierce County and throughout the state of Washington for more than 20 years. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, she has been instrumental in bringing hope to many through her unique approach to counseling which includes a blend of faith, experience, solution-planning and hard work. Cornelia specializes in:

Cornelia has provided counseling and stabilization services to many children and families in severe crisis through Mary Bridge Children’s Health Center and the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. She has also facilitated child abuse investigation and safety trainings and seminars for schools, conferences and community-based organizations across the state of Washington.

Cornelia has been enriching marriages and providing encouragement, direction and hope to couples for more than 15 years. She has an unwavering belief in the potential of the human spirit and is dedicated to helping people - from all walks of life - heal and grow through a style of counseling that is authentic and refreshing.

Cornelia received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Washington, her Master’s in Education from City University and successfully completed Light University’s “Marriage Works” program through the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC).

Jessie Waiamau-Ariota, M.A., LMHC

Counselor

Jessie has been working as a clinical therapist for more than 10 years. She has provided counseling and mental health support at Children’s Hospital, in Seattle schools, local community centers and, most recently, at Kaiser Permanente. At the heart of all of the work she has done is a passion and desire to support and connect with individuals, couples, and families on their life journey.  Jessie specializes in:

As a licensed mental health counselor, Jessie is well trained in evidence-based therapies including cognitive behavioral methods, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused work. Her overall approach to counseling is faith infused and is focused on meeting each individual where they are at.

Jessie firmly believes that counseling can offer skills, insight, and resolution to many of life’s pains and difficulties.  She holds strongly to the belief that we are all innately good and built for resiliency. Her style of counseling seeks to help her clients move toward growth and healing by harnessing this inherent resiliency.

Jessie received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Washington and her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pacific Lutheran University.

Jay Thomas, MNPL

Principal & Financial Coach

Jay serves as Winds of Liberty's Financial Coach and has successfully completed Dave Ramsey’s Financial Coach Master Training.  With the heart of a teacher, he helps individuals, families, and small businesses become stronger and more secure financially by helping them develop a spending plan, get out of debt, and build wealth using a proven method that has helped millions of people across the country.  Jay has also been enriching marriages and providing encouragement, direction and hope to couples for more than 15 years.

Jay has also served the community in a variety of nonprofit leadership and management capacities for more than 20 years. As a former Certified Fundraising Executive with CFRE International, he has been instrumental in raising millions of dollars to benefit children and families through such charities as United Way, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the YMCA.  Jay is also a proud Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum.

Jay's professional expertise includes:

Jay received his Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Washington and his Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership from Seattle University.  and successfully completed Light University’s “Marriage Works” program through the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC).

Christian Morden, BBA

Counseling Intern

Christian is a second-year graduate student at Southeastern University.  He is set to complete his Master’s in Professional Counseling the end of 2024.  After getting his BA Degree from Northwest University, Christian went into full time Youth Ministry and since that time has spent the last couple decades working with youth and young adults.  He also has experience in the business world as a former lead director of sales.  Christian is active in the community through volunteer work and engaging the needs of his church.

For the last ten years, Christian has been a certified life coach through the Genesis Process.  He is passionate about seeing lives transformed through the healing work of integrating psychology and the truth of God’s word.  During his time as an intern, Christian will be focusing on supporting the needs of adults, couples, youth, and children.  He enjoys journeying with clients, while providing a space where they can become whole, healed, and experience hope.  Christian has been described as a person of empathy and is looking forward to further his growth as a therapist by interning at Winds of Liberty.