United Hearts & Minds Luncheon- October 2nd, 2025

Maya G Bethany

Maya is an author, journalist and advocate living in Flint, TX. She grew up in Garland, TX where her mental health journey began. A survivor of childhood sexual abuse and sexual assault, Maya travels the country speaking about Complex PTSD, dissociative disorders, mental health, and parenting while in recovery and treatment. In 2015, Maya entered the Shades of Hope Center of Healing for a transformative trauma intensive that altered her path to mental wellness and is documented in her memoir, "The Return Trip." Maya and her husband have been married for 16 years and are the parents of one son. 

Preacher Benjamin Neeley

Benjamin is a preacher and comedian in Tyler, TX, originally from Southwestern Arkansas. With a deep personal tie to mental health through his late father, Benjamin brings both humor and healing to the conversation. He’s been married to Rachel for 20 years and is a proud father of three. After five years in Tyler, he’s honored to speak on a topic that impacted his life.

Keren Acuna LPC-S

Keren Acuna is an LPC-S, RPT-S who currently works as the Mental Health Coordinator and Adjunct Lecturer at The University of Texas at Tyler, where she teaches and supervises graduate students in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. She has a decade of professional counseling experience in serving adult, adolescent, child clients, and Spanish-speaking individuals and families. She has experience in a variety of settings, including a crisis center, a children's advocacy center, a community mental health agency, and school counseling. She has also collaborated with the Dallas Police Department and the Tyler Police Department to provide mental health training and resources. She has a passion for mental health and has spoken at numerous events and organizations throughout Texas, both in English and Spanish. Keren recently presented at the National NBCC conference in Washington, D.C., on best practices for working with Latinx clients. As a practitioner, educator, and advocate, Keren Acuna is dedicated to bridging the gaps in mental health and empowering professionals and communities to embrace humility in their approach. She is currently in her last semester of her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, where her research focuses on resource strain on therapists working in rural parts of Texas.