History of Grace River

Grace River Christian Counseling grew out of a family vision, shared by father daughter Rev. Rick Short. M.E., LADC and Andrea Hart LCSW to create a Christian counseling center in Norman Oklahoma. Grace River Christian Counseling and Medical Group, Inc. was incorporated as a Not-For-Profit in Oklahoma in 2008 and granted 501 (c) (3) status in 2013.

Overseen by a Board of Directors, Rick served as the Director until the appointment of Christy Rockwood as Executive Director in early 2019. Today our Board of Directors consists of nine local individuals who meet throughout the year, acting in an advisory capacity to the Executive Director. 

Under Christy’s leadership, Grace River has undergone growth and broadened its community impact well beyond the city of Norman.  Additional counselors have been added to the team, as well as the opportunity for interns and candidates to work and grow in their field.  The Grace River team participated in IFS training at the beginning of COVID to continue learning new modalities for counseling.  Currently, Grace River is implementing Neurofeedback, a new service that helps with ADHD, anxiety, depression and brain fog.  This was made possible through a grant from the Butterfield Memorial Foundation. 

Funding for the ministry comes from a variety of sources including private donations, church support, foundations and grants. Grace River has partnered with several local churches, including Timber Creek Fellowship, Life Church Norman, and Victory Family Church to name a few.