Compassion Before Judgment
Every person has experiences we may not immediately see. We begin by listening.
COMPASSION. CONNECTION. GROWTH.
Open Arms for Every Story. Support for Every Step Forward.
Behind every person who reaches out is a story.
A parent trying to help their child. An adult carrying more than others can see. A family learning how to communicate again. A foster caregiver trying to create safety and connection. Someone simply hoping life can feel different.
At Open Arms Initiative, we believe people deserve to be met with compassion, dignity, and understanding, not judgment.
Through counseling, family and foster support, education, and community-focused programs, we’re here to help individuals and families find support for where they are today and hope for where they’re going next.
Trauma-Informed
Family Focused
Community Driven
Compassionate Care
Why Open Arms Exists
Sometimes people know they need help but don't know where to find it.
Sometimes families are doing everything they can and still need additional support.
Sometimes financial circumstances, fear, uncertainty, or simply not knowing where to begin can keep someone from reaching out.
Open Arms Initiative exists to help make that first step feel more possible.
We bring together mental health counseling, family support, foster-care services, education, and community resources with one shared purpose: to help people feel supported while they navigate life’s challenges and build toward what comes next.
We aren't here to define what your life or family should look like. We're here to meet you where you are.
OUR MISSION
Helping Individuals and Families Find Support, Strength, and Hope
Our mission is to provide compassionate, trauma-informed support that recognizes the whole person, not simply the challenge that brought them through our doors.
We work with individuals, children, couples, parents, foster caregivers, and families while also investing in education and resources that can strengthen the wider community.
Because when one person receives meaningful support, the impact can reach much further.
Healthier individuals can strengthen families.
Stronger families can strengthen communities.
See the Heart Behind Open Arms
Some stories are better experienced than explained. Watch our video to learn more about Open Arms Initiative, the people behind our work, and the heart that guides our commitment to individuals, children, and families.
Plant. Water. Grow.
Growth rarely happens all at once. It happens through small steps. Through being heard. Through learning. Through connection. Through having someone continue to believe that change is possible.
Plantthe possibility of hope.
Sometimes reaching out, asking a question, attending a counseling session, or learning something new is where change begins.
Watersupport growth with compassion, knowledge, consistency, and care.
Meaningful change often needs an environment where people feel safe enough to learn, reflect, and try again.
Growin whatever way is true for you.
It may mean communicating differently, understanding yourself better, creating healthier relationships, feeling more confident as a parent, or simply recognizing that you don’t have to navigate everything alone.
Plant hope. Water it with support. Give people room to grow.
What We Believe
People Are More Than Their Difficult Moments
A diagnosis, difficult season, family conflict, past experience, or challenging behavior does not define an entire person.
Families Deserve Support Too
When one person is struggling, the impact can reach parents, partners, children, caregivers, and other relationships. That’s why our work often considers the broader family.
Understanding Can Change How We Respond
Trauma-informed care encourages us to look beyond “What’s wrong?” and consider “What happened, what is this person experiencing, and what might they need?”
Support Should Be More Accessible
Financial circumstances and other barriers can make mental health support difficult to access. Our nonprofit mission includes helping expand access through community-focused services and pro bono counseling opportunities.
Stronger People Help Build Stronger Communities
Mental health and family well-being don’t exist in isolation. Supporting individuals and families is part of strengthening the community we all share.
How We Support Our Community
Open Arms Initiative provides multiple pathways to support because different people need different things.
Counseling & Therapy
Compassionate counseling for adults, children, adolescents, couples, and families navigating emotional, relational, and life challenges.
Explore Counseling ServicesFoster Care & Adoption Support
Training, counseling, guidance, and ongoing support for foster and adoptive families.
Explore Foster Family SupportFamily & Parenting Support
Education, resources, parenting support, and family-focused guidance designed to strengthen relationships and caregiver confidence.
Explore Family SupportPro Bono Counseling
Counseling opportunities designed to reduce financial barriers for eligible individuals and families, subject to program requirements and availability.
Explore Pro Bono CounselingCommunity Education & Outreach
Educational initiatives that help individuals, families, professionals, and community groups better understand mental health, trauma, relationships, and supportive care.
Explore Training & WorkshopsWhat Makes Open Arms Different?
Trauma-Informed
We recognize that experiences can influence how people feel, communicate, build relationships, and respond to the world around them.
Whole-Person Focused
You are more than a symptom or a difficult season. Our approach considers the person, their experiences, strengths, relationships, and goals.
Family-Centered
Children don’t exist separately from their caregivers. Adults don’t exist separately from their relationships. Where appropriate, we consider the people and environments surrounding an individual.
Rooted in Community
Our work extends beyond the counseling room through foster support, education, family resources, outreach, and accessible care.
Built Around Human Connection
Programs and professional knowledge matter. But people also need to feel heard. Connection is at the center of what we do.
MEET THE PEOPLE BEHIND OPEN ARMS
Real People. Shared Purpose. Open Arms.
Behind every counseling session, family conversation, foster-care resource, training program, and community initiative is a team of people committed to helping others feel supported. Our team brings together professionals across counseling, foster care, family support, administration, education, and community services.
But beyond titles and credentials, there is something that connects us: we believe people deserve somewhere safe to turn.
Our Team
Jamie James - LPC
President & Founder
D'Fawn Downs - LPC
Corporate Compliance Officer & Clinical Director
Brandon Martin
CFO
Stephanie Caldwell
Parent Relations Director
Amber Price
Director of Foster Care
Chloe Burke
Lead Admin
Destinee Curry
Administrative Assistant
Kamryn Bass
Administrative Assistant
Stephanie Vaughn
Billing & Placement Specialist
Jessena Varghese - LPC
Clinical Director
Henri Jo Ball - LPC
Therapist
Emeka Nnaka - LPC
Therapist
Brenda Mitchell - LPC
Therapist
Karli Burch - LPC
Therapist
Lori Baker LMFT-S
Therapist
Breanna White - LPC
Therapist
Rebekah Thomas LPC-C
Therapist
Jamira Alexander
Therapist
Victori Swinford
Therapist
Mattea Lear
Therapist
More Than a Team Photo
When someone comes to Open Arms, they may be sharing something deeply personal. That's why knowing who is on the other side of the conversation matters.
Our team section isn't here simply to show names and credentials. It's here so that before you ever call, email, or walk through our doors, you can see the people who are here to welcome you.
“People may come to Open Arms for different reasons. What they should find here is the same: compassion, respect, and somewhere to begin.”
Connect With Open Arms
PROUD TO SERVE OKLAHOMA CITY
Rooted in Oklahoma City. Committed to Our Community.
Open Arms Initiative is rooted in Oklahoma City and committed to supporting the individuals and families who make up our community.
Our work extends across counseling, family support, foster care, parenting education, community programs, and efforts to make appropriate mental health services more accessible.
Here for individuals.Here for children.Here for parents and caregivers.Here for families.Here for our community.
Visit Our Oklahoma City LocationOur Work Begins With People
Services and programs are important. But behind every service is a person. Someone hoping to be heard. Someone looking for guidance. Someone trying to help their child. Someone working to rebuild a relationship. Someone ready, or almost ready, to ask for support.
There Is Room for Your Story Here.
You are more than what you're going through. And you don't have to go through it without support.