Our Family

Dr. Walter is the Founder, Executive Director and CEO of Lifeline Children and Family Services, Inc.  From a child, Dr. Walter was known for his energetic and charismatic personality.  Born in 1963, Dr. Walter was gifted with what he considers his greatest attributes, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and music. Dr. Walter spent his entire childhood and adolescent years internalizing how others classified him.  He was often referred to by uninformed adults, teachers and peers as “slow”, “dumb”, “stupid”, “ignorant”, “a distraction”, “angry”, or “special ed”.   

Eighteen years after barely graduating high school, Dr Walter began to pursue higher education.  He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Southwestern Assemblies of God University.  Three days after graduating with his BS degree, Dr. Walter matriculated into his graduate studies.  He earned a Master of Arts in Pre-Professional Counseling, Master of Science in Family Studies, and Master of Arts in Professional Counseling from Amberton University.  His last academic feat was in 2019 when Dr. Walter earned his Doctorate in Professional Counseling from Mississippi College.  Dr. Walter’s scholarly research involved INTEGRATING SELECTED COMPONENTS OF NTU PSYCHOTHERAPY AND NARRATIVE ENHANCEMENT COGNITIVE THERAPY TO ADDRESS STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH DEPRESSION IN AFRICAN AMERICAN ADOLESCENT MALES.   

Dr. Walter has numerous licenses and certifications including Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, NBCC, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Anger Management, Domestic Violence treatment brain change, ADHD and numerous others.  With the mission of strengthening the resilience in families’ experiencing life’s difficulties, Dr. Walter envisions establishing and offering a myriad of services focused primarily in rural communities through counseling centers, independent/transitional living programs, veteran services, housing partnerships, educational initiatives, and prison psychotherapy groups (to address addiction/substance abuse, maladaptive behaviors, reactive attachment disorder, re-entry and spiritual transformation), Intensive Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment programs for youth 13-21, and mental health awareness and training for spiritual leaders.

Dr. Walter and Dorothy planted a church in Corsicana Texas in 1996.  They serve as senior pastors and lead several community ministry initiatives. Dr. Walter is an accomplished musician and vocalist/singer.  He has performed in numerous venues to diverse audiences both in the United States and abroad.  Dr. Walter credits music with saving his life, especially during the period when he struggled with major depression.

Dr. Walter has been married to his wife Dorothy for 38 years.  They are the parents of eight children Ricky (Brende), Rainece (Bryce) Deaniel, Ashley, Terrence (Michelle), Laporcha (Jamonte), Pauletta, and Brooklyn).   Dr. Walter and Dorothy are the proud grandparents of 11 grandchildren and 2 angel babies.  The Walter family’s work started many years ago when Dr. Walter’s parents adopted two boys.  The elder Walters planted a seed that now includes three generations of adoptions.  Dr. Walter tears up when he is asked to share his feelings and thoughts regarding his facilitation of hundreds of adoptions.  His response is often simple “Touching a life can change a destiny.”