MEET Delores Topping

VETERAN. MA, Resident in Counseling. FOUNDER.
AND SOMEONE WHO GENUINELY HAS YOUR BACK.

After 20 years serving in the United States Navy, Delores Topping knows something about showing up under pressure. What took her longer to learn — and what she now helps others discover — is that showing up for yourself, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually is the hardest and most important work of all.

That conviction led her from a decorated military career to Dallas Theological Seminary, where she earned a Master of Arts in Counseling.

Delores works with individuals, families, and teens navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, and more.

She operates under the supervision of Dana Scott, LPC, and welcomes clients from all walks of life — including those who are people of faith, those who are spiritually curious, and those for whom faith plays no role at all.

Her approach is simple: you bring your whole self, and she brings her whole self. Evidence-based tools, genuine compassion, and the unshakeable belief that healing is possible for you — right now, wherever you are.

Today, as the founder of The Cognitive Sanctuary, Delores offers something that can be hard to find:

A counselor who combines rigorous clinical training with genuine compassion — and who meets every client without judgment, without pressure, and without assumption about where they are in life or faith.

PERSONALIZED COUNSELING STARTS HERE

Here’s where our stories meet...

1995-2016

Delores Topping retired as a United States Navy Chief with over two decades of service, leadership, and commitment to those she served alongside. Her military experience proved to be foundational for what would later become Cognitive Sanctuary.

20+ Years of Navy Service

2021-2024

MA, Resident in Counseling

Delores earned a Master of Arts in Counseling from Dallas Theological Seminary, combining clinical training with compassionate, whole-person approach. From there, completed her internship with The Healing Station in Fredericksburg, VA, and is secondary location for residency under the supervision of Dana Scott, LPC.

SEPT + OCT 2024

2 Books on Faith & Mental Wellness

Inspired to share her experiences, Delores published two resources highlighting the importance of an integrated approach to faith and mental health: Embrace Grace: 30-Day Devotional and Rooted in Grace: A Handbook for Purposeful Parenting of Teens Today.

NOV 2024

Founded The Cognitive Sanctuary

Delores officially founded The Cognitive Sanctuary as a stigma-free space where mental health and personal wellness work together. Together with her colleague, Christian Thacker, the TCS team welcomes clients from all backgrounds for in-person or online appointments.

EXPLORE OUR SERVICES

Meet the Team

Dana Scott, LPC

Clinical Supervisor

Dana Scott is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a dedicated advocate in the mental health field. She currently serves as a State Director with the National Counseling Group, overseeing offices that provide community-based services for at-risk and underserved populations. Passionate about fostering the next generation of mental health professionals, Dana is committed to training and developing future clinicians through clinical supervision. In her spare time, she enjoys being a devoted mother to her two boys and staying active in their sports and activities.

Christian Thacker

MA, Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Christian Thacker is a Resident in Counseling with a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University. He works under supervision while providing compassionate, ethical care to individuals seeking growth and healing. Guided by a Christian worldview, Christian integrates evidence-based approaches including Person-Centered Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to support clients in navigating life’s challenges and fostering meaningful change.