Andrea Damone-Brown, M.Ed., LCPAA, Founder and Executive Director

Andrea Damone-Brown received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and her Masters in Education focusing on Professional Counseling and Psychotherapy through Oklahoma City University. She has been working in the adoption field since 1992 and was the Director at a licensed adoption agency in Dallas for six years. Andrea also founded and co-Directed Lifetree Adoption Agency in Dallas, Texas from 2003 to 2014.

Continuing her passion for adoption counseling and coaching, she recently branched out on her own in 2014 to focus on serving individuals in each area of adoption through Texas Christian Adoptions. It is her passion to love and help people as Jesus loved. God is the God of the Hopeless, and it is her goal to counsel those who feel hopeless and help them see God loves them and that He has a plan for them. His unfailing love will guide them through their journey.

Joy White, Birthparent Specialist

My adoption journey started roughly 14 years ago when I found out I was pregnant with my daughter. I knew early on I wanted to place her for adoption. I was 22, in college, not with the father and raised in a conservative home. Ultimately, I wanted the best for her and didn’t see that I had that to give at this time of my life. God had the perfect couple to be her parents and invited them to be apart of any part of the pregnancy they felt comfortable. It was my chance to get to acquire a relationship and a basis of trust with the adoptive parents. We truly forged a life long bond for our daughter. I am so blessed.

After her birth, it took me about 10 years to work my way back around to my calling: The Birthmom Journey. I began attending UTA to get my Masters in Social Work focus on Children and Families. This is my passion. I desire to help other Birthmoms with first hand knowledge of how it feels to be in their shoes. Let them know they are not alone and I am here for them. God works in beautiful ways by turning hard situations into beautiful journeys of joy.

Melissa L. Steinmetz, LCSW, Homestudy Specialist

I graduated with my Master’s of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1991. I earned my license that year  and have enjoyed the practice of social work with several client groups including geriatrics, emergency department patients and families seeking to adopt. I first worked with Andrea Damone-Brown in 2003. I am honored to be working with Andrea again and especially to have an opportunity to support the mission of Texas Christian Adoptions, LLC.

Kathie Otte, MSW, Homestudy Specialist

Katherine T. Otte received her B.A. in Child Development from Connecticut College and her Master of Social Work from the University of Houston.  She has been involved in the infertility and adoption field since 1980.  As a result of her own personal experience with infertility and adoption, Kathie started her business as an Adoption Consultant in 1995, educating, guiding and supporting adoptive couples on their road to adoption.  She has shared the joy of the adoption experience with hundreds of adoptive couples over the years.  Kathie lives in Houston and is the proud mother of two adopted children.

At the request of the Houston Organization for Parent Education, Kathie wrote and developed the curriculum for an Adoptive Parenting Class.  She has taught that class for over 15 years, helping families get ready for their long awaited child.

Kathie has been President and Director for the Gladney Auxiliary of Greater Houston and Infertility Network of which she was a founding member.  She also has been Director of the Texas Foundation for Research in Reproductive Medicine and on the Advisory Board for the Gladney Center in Fort Worth.  Kathie is a member of Adoptive Families of America, Inc., National Council for Adoption and the North American Council on Adoptable Children.