Sandi M Burchfield, MS, LMFT, MT 3215 Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Clinical Director Clermont/Orlando
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When life hurts or challenges arise, where do you go for help? We know that all of us face various difficulties along life's way and sometimes need a little extra guidance in finding solutions. At times, even our close family members and friends are unable to provide guidance because of the difficulty of being objective. Our counselors are here for you. Since 2004, Family Life Counseling Center has been dedicated to providing assistance with marriage, family, or individual problems. Our qualified therapists offer Christian counseling for adults, adolescents, children, couples, and families.
Wide Range of Issues:
• Grief • Depression & Anxiety • Divorce Recovery • Family Issues • Job Adjustment • Marital Communication |
• Addictions • Eating Disorders • Mental Health • Self-Esteem • Sexual Addictions
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Hands-On Training
We are also a teaching facility with interns who are available to see clients at a reduced fee. These interns are marriage and family therapists and mental health counselor graduate students from local universities in the Central Florida area. They are under the supervision of Sandi Burchfield, LMFT, and Krystie Moss, LMHC.
Owner's Background
Sandi has extensive training and experience working with children and adult victims of sexual abuse, parental neglect, and domestic violence as a social worker with the Dept. of Children & Families. While working with the Lake County Schools system and ESE program, Sandi supported families who were struggling with a teenager that was oppositional defiant or had an IEP for Emotional-Behavioral Disabilities. She also has experience working with infants and toddlers who have developmental disorders (Autism, Down's Syndrome, etc.) when she was training with Early Steps at Arnold Palmer Hospital. Sandi is court-approved for premarital counseling in Lake County and Orange County and is committed to showing couples and young adults how to build relationships in healthy ways. Fox News aired and posted an article Cassandra wrote outlining how to accomplish a happy marriage in 2009.
She and her husband enjoyed helping out with their church's youth ministry and were youth pastors for 9 years. They have four young children: Madisyn, Brintlee Grace, Bryce, and Paityn. They are actively involved in their church, as well as the community's local youth athletic programs with their children.
Psychology Today Profile More About Sandi
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Tina Deveau, MS, LMHC, MH16159 Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Clinical Director Lakeland/Auburndale
Tina Deveau is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who received her master's degree in Professional Counseling from Southeastern University. She is currently in the dissertation phase of her PhD. in Counselor Education and Supervision with a specialization in Counseling and Social Change. She has experience teaching and supervising master's level counseling students. Tina has several years of experience working with substance abuse and co-occurring disorders in adults and adolescents. She has worked in residential and outpatient settings. Tina has also worked in community mental health, providing group, individual, family, and couples counseling. In addition, Tina worked with the homeless population providing substance abuse and trauma counseling.
Tina has training in Brainspotting, a trauma and brain-based therapy. Tina also uses Cognitive Behavioral and Dialectical Behavior Therapy interventions. She focuses on creating a judgment-free environment to foster growth and healing for all her clients. Tina follows the theory behind Brainspotting that identifies how trauma is stored in the subcortical of the brain, and the trauma often triggers the fight or flight response. Often, individuals become stuck in a state of fight or flight after experiencing trauma. Through the client's visual field, the trauma can be accessed and reprocessed. Once the trauma is reprocessed, individuals can begin to self-regulate and live in a state of peace.
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She looks forward to working with adults, adolescents, and couples through their journey in life.
Specialties:
• Trauma, including PTSD • Anxiety Disorders • Adjustment Disorders |
• Depression • Oppositional Defiant Disorders |
• Self-Harming Behaviors • Substance Abuse |
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Juan Mendez, MA, LMFT, MT 3868 Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Juan is a Licenced Marriage and Family Therapist and the Polk County Clinical Director for Family Life. Juan graduated from Liberty University with a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy and has spent a total of thirteen years working in community mental health and substance abuse programs. He is skilled in crisis stabilization, trauma, and family interventions. Juan uses a collaborative approach in therapy and integrates his interests in pop culture throughout the therapeutic process to create a safe environment for exploration and healing.
Juan is trained in the Imago dialogue and uses a client-centered approach to help his clients create the desired changes in their relationships. He values connection and strives to deepen his knowledge of clients' interests and passions. He believes that healing comes through connection, and connection does not come until we feel heard and understood.
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Specialties:
• Crisis • Anxiety • Depression |
• Family • Couples |
• Teens • LGBT+ affirming |
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Krystie Moss, MA, LMHC, MH13639 Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Clinical Director Tavares/Lake County Schools
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Krystie is a licensed mental health counselor who obtained her B.A. from SUNY College at Old Westbury and both her M.A. in Professional Counseling and M.A. in Theological Studies from Liberty University. She began her journey in mental health in 2007, working with individuals who were dually diagnosed with mental health and intellectual disabilities. She previously managed a residential group home and provided individual and group counseling to residents throughout the agency. She has a passion for serving this population and helping to meet the unique challenges they face.
Since transitioning to private practice serving children and adolescents has become Krystie’s primary focus. She has experience working with youth in the foster care system in private homes, group homes, and shelter settings, children navigating the adoption process, traumatized youth, and youth experiencing mild to severe emotional and behavioral disturbances, including mood disorders, ADHD, PTSD/C-PTSD, and Reactive Attachment Disorder. She has experience assisting individuals who have experienced single-episode traumas as well as complex and long-term traumatic experiences.
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Krystie understands that life can surprise us with transitions, unexpected events, and heartaches that leave us feeling confused or stuck. Healing and change are a journey that requires patience, encouragement, and often courage. Krystie works to create a warm and accepting environment that allows individuals to fully be themselves without fear of criticism. She utilizes a combination of interventions from narrative and experiential therapies, cognitive and dialectical behavioral therapies, and often includes play, music and art to create a personalized and client-centered approach to healing. She is also trained in EFT & TFT tapping techniques for anxiety reduction, Safe and Sound Protocol, and Brainspotting.
Krystie is also a certified childbirth educator and birth doula and has a great passion for assisting families through the journey of parenthood.
Education
Krystie completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the State University of New York College at Old Westbury and furthered her studies with a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling and a Master of Arts in Theological Studies, both from Liberty University.
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Susie Mulvany MS, LMHC, MH16590 Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Lead Therapist
Susie was born and raised in a classical midwestern town in a family with strong conservative values and tight family bonds. Those bonds were challenged, for Susie, at age 20, when she tragically lost her father to cancer. That trauma experience became the transition stage for Susie to take her first real steps into adulthood. Those early days after her father’s passing was filled with uncertainty, desperation, and pain as Susie tried to regain her life balance in the midst of profound grief and disappointment.
Soon thereafter, she met her husband, and in the security of that relationship, she began to regain her ability to adjust to harsh realities while still envisioning the hopes and dreams of her childhood. Though the early years of her married life were filled with many challenges, Susie had the opportunity to explore her qualities of resiliency, tenacity, and compassion. In her over 30 years of marriage, Susie has honed her ability to take the good with the bad and see the possibilities that life offers beyond the veil of its challenges. Serving as functioning missionaries in several states and foreign countries, Susie and her husband have had to adjust, sacrifice, prioritize, and practice purposeful patience as they have maneuvered the often difficult terrain of life.
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During those years, Susie and her husband were blessed with two children and have gained immeasurable experience attending to the physical, spiritual, academic, and relational needs of their family. Whether it was homeschooling, nurturing, disciplining, mentoring, or consoling, Susie was ever-present and available to do her utmost to meet the needs of her family. Her consistency, gentleness, compassion, and wisdom are among the qualities that have endeared her to her family the most. At present, Susie is now busying herself with the next generation of her family as she immerses herself in the life investment process of grandparenting her nine grandchildren.
During those years, Susie and her husband were blessed with two children and have gained immeasurable experience attending to the physical, spiritual, academic, and relational needs of their family. Whether it was homeschooling, nurturing, disciplining, mentoring, or consoling, Susie was ever-present and available to do her utmost to meet the needs of her family. Her consistency, gentleness, compassion, and wisdom are among the qualities that have endeared her to her family the most. At present, Susie is now busying herself with the next generation of her family as she immerses herself in the life investment process of grandparenting her nine grandchildren.
Psychology Today Profile
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Cindy Merrick, LMSW, MSW10270, RCSWI, ISW15250 Licensed Master Social Worker & Registered Clinical Social Worker Intern
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Cindy Merrick is a lively therapist who seeks to create a warm, supportive, and trusting environment so that clients feel comfortable and accepted as they move through the therapeutic process at their own chosen pace. She also believes that there are certainly times when humor, laughter, and positivity are just as important to that process.
Cindy is a trauma-informed care trainer who teaches public school teachers and fellow therapists how to assist clients who have experienced trauma in their lives. She has an in-depth understanding of the impact of trauma and the path to recovery. She has more than 7 years of clinical experience in assisting clients in recovery, self-actualization, growth, and empowerment.
After more than 17 years in a business management career, Cindy returned to college at the age of 39 to pursue her long-cherished dream of becoming a therapist. She graduated from the University of Southern Indiana with a Master of Social Work degree. Cindy has earned provisional licensure as a social worker in both Florida and Georgia.
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Specialties:
• Foster children/families • Parenting skillsm s •Family therapy •Behavioral Issues/Oppositional Defiant Behaviors |
• Autism Spectrum •Trauma/PTSD •Couples therapy/Non-traditional couples •Sexual Issues/Abuse |
• LGBTQIA+ •Depression •Anxiety |
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Natalie Brand, MA, LMHC, MH21301 Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Natalie is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who received her Master's in Mental Health Counseling from Belmont University in Nashville, TN. She is passionate about creating a space for others to express their emotions and find the support they need to feel comfortable in their own skin and be their best selves. Natalie has worked in both agency, outpatient, and inpatient settings with individuals who struggle with mental health. She has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults who have experienced a wide range of struggles from trauma, anxiety, addiction, depression, relationship issues, self-esteem, and fear.
Therapeutic modalities that Natalie utilizes include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Play Therapy, and a Holistic Approach. Through the Holistic approach, we hope to allow the individual to recognize how the physical, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual components of their lives can affect their mindset. Using this approach allows the client to connect all aspects of their lives towards better health overall.
Natalie's goal is to help others have a safe place to express their emotions and feel heard, as well as a place for individuals to feel more confident in themselves to create positive change in their lives. When you meet with her, you can expect to feel accepted and validated while also allowing yourself to let go of the weight that has been holding you down. Through her calm demeanor and genuineness, it will feel like you can take a moment and have the time to just focus on yourself.
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In her free time, Natalie loves to cook, travel, take pictures, spend time with family, and play board games.
She looks forward to working with people to break the chains of suffering! You're more than your anxiety, depression, insecurity, or other pain and suffering that life can bring. We're in this together.
Specialties:
- Teens and Young Adults
- Anxiety and Depression
- OCD
- Self-Esteem
- Eating Disorders
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- Addiction/ Substance Use disorders
- Relationship Problems
- Communication Skills
- Trauma
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M. Ryan Murphy MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC
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Ryan is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who earned his Bachelor of Arts and Science in Biology at Marymount University, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and Master of Science in Nursing at Salisbury University, and a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Degree from Maryville University. He has been in medicine since 2008, holding various roles, including student health insurance advocate, immunization advocate, medical scribe, certified nursing assistant, and registered nurse specializing in multi-system intensive care and rapid response team. He was also a travel nurse, where he traveled to multiple hospitals along the east coast of the United States.
Ryan has a board certification from the American Nursing Credentialing Center specializing in psychiatric mental health across the lifespan. Ryan's goal is to help clients create a safe space, enhance self-awareness, encourage empowerment, and work together to achieve the client's goals. He understands that medicine can play an essential role in helping clients achieve full recovery, but it is not always the answer. He believes full recovery comes from working as a team with interdisciplinary professionals (therapists, counselors, etc.), family, friends, and most importantly, the client to achieve their goals.
His favorite saying is, "Having mental health problems is like being stuck in the middle of the ocean drowning. The medicine helps you stay afloat, but it's the therapist that will help you get back to land."
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Registered Interns with Provisional License
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Alaina Potter, MS, RMHCI IHM19646 Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern

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Alaina is a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern who received her Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Stetson University. Her educational background also includes an Associate's degree and a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology with minors in Crime Law and Deviance and Sociology from the University of Central Florida. Alaina is a dedicated and enthusiastic counselor with an extensive educational background in psychology, sociology, behavioral forensics, and criminal justice. Alaina Possesses a passion for helping those in need to achieve their highest potential. While obtaining her Master's degree, she worked in a residential inpatient facility for children and adolescents struggling with a dual diagnosis of mental health disorder and substance abuse. Alaina has experience with children and adolescents in the counseling setting, school setting, as well as college-aged students and children foster care. Alaina has also worked in community mental health, providing group, individual, family, and couples counseling. In addition, Alaina worked with domestic violence survivors providing substance abuse and trauma counseling.
Alaina's therapeutic approaches include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, IMAGO Therapy, Play Therapy, and Experiential approaches. She has experience in working with individuals and families with various mental, behavioral, and relational problems. She believes in creating a safe, judgment-free space to form a strong client-therapist relationship. Alaina focuses on providing a safe and trusting relationship where individuals, couples, and families can be heard, find more deeply who they are, and be empowered to make desired change. Alaina empowers her clients, meeting them where they are and supporting them through their own personal journey of healing.
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Specialties:
• Kids, teens, young adults |
• Substance Use Disorders |
• Parent-Child Relationships/Attachment |
• LGBTQ+ |
• Eating Disorders |
• Relationship Issues /Couples |
• Domestic or Sexual Assault Survivors |
• Self-Esteem |
• Foster Families |
• Anxiety and Depression |
• Childhood Trauma/ PTSD |
• Life Transitions/ Adjustments |
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Camila Suchy, MSW, RCSWI, ISW15642 Registered Clinical Social Work Intern
Cami received her Master's degree in Social Work from Southeastern University. Cami has experience working with children and families as well as individuals who have experienced trauma and is passionate about helping families explore family dynamics and find healthy patterns of relating. She is also passionate about walking alongside individuals as they navigate the complexities, difficulties, and joys of life.
In addition, Cami is happily married and an active member of her church and community. Cami's faith is an important part of her life, and she views her work as a calling. Cami is passionate about helping people integrate faith as part of their healing journey if so desired.
Some of the therapeutic interventions Cami uses include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy, Trust-Based Relational Intervention, Attachment Theory, and Family Systems Theory.
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Specialties:
• Trauma • Parent-Child Relationships |
• Young Adults •Anxiety and Depression
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James Stokes, MS RMHCI IMH 20389 Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
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James shares a passion for walking with people through the highs and lows of their life. He believes that counseling provides people with a place to be vulnerable, find acceptance, and, ultimately, inner healing. James tries to take a holistic approach to treatment by looking at all areas of a client’s life, including but not limited to the following: the individual, family system, and one’s spiritual/faith-based beliefs. James graduated from Southeastern University with an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Professional Counseling. He has experience working with children, adolescents, and their families, assisting them in helping them face issues concerning substance abuse, mental illness, and family dynamics. James worked in a community mental health agency for his internship in graduate school, as well as for his individual occupation, before coming to Family Life Counseling Center. James uses several different modalities in counseling, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical-behavioral therapy, and trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy.
In his free time, James is very involved in his church and loves to make artwork, read, and spend time with friends and family.
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Jana Liptak, M.A.,
Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern IMH 19886
JJana has a passion for helping individuals heal from the pain of their childhood trauma and the negative feelings associated with growing up in a dysfunctional family. As an Adult Child of an Alcoholic (ACOA) and an Adult Child of a Vietnam Veteran (ACOVV), Jana’s personal journey of healing was the key that unlocked her passion for pursuing her educational goal of becoming a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. She has the heart to come along with others on their own healing journey and live a life on purpose.
As a native South Floridian, Jana and her husband have recently relocated to Lake County from their hometown of the Broward/Palm Beach area. For the past 21 years, Jana has been a stay-at-home Mom to her 4 children (2 sons and 2 stepdaughters), who are all currently in college pursuing their educational goals. Jana returned to college as her youngest entered high school, as she prepared for her next season of life. Throughout her years of being a stay-at-home Mom, Jana brings years of experience in Blended Family Life, Step-Parenting, and overcoming divorce-related issues to Co-parenting.
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Throughout her many years of volunteering and serving in her community, Jana served alongside her husband as a lay Christian counselor in her South Florida Church community. For the past 8 years, she has established and facilitated a 12-week Inner Healing Program Ministry, identifying emotional wounds involving addiction, depression, suicide, mental illness, trauma, and pain, as well as a Divorce Care Facilitator.
In her free time, Jana enjoys cooking, baking, sewing, reading, crocheting, and spending time with her adult children traveling and exploring Northern Central Florida.
Education
Jana is a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern who received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Religious Studies with a concentration in Christian Counseling from Liberty University. She continued her education when she received her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from South University. While attending SU, Jana had the valuable opportunity to study abroad at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel, where she obtained a certificate in Trauma and Resilience.
Specialties:
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- Parent/Step-Parenting Skills
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Links to Treatment Approaches
Psychology Today Profile
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Julianna Short, M.Ed., RMHCI IMH22814, RMFTI IMT3737
Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern and Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern

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JJulianna is a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern who received her Master's degree from the College of William and Mary in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Marriage and Family Counseling. Julianna received her Bachelor's degree from the University of Florida in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences. Prior to obtaining her Master's degree, Julianna spent several years as a preschool teacher and volunteering in K-12 schools before interning at a child advocacy center where she worked with trauma survivors and their families. While completing her Master's degree, Julianna worked as an education assistant helping children on the Autism spectrum adjust to pandemic-related changes, as well as in community mental health settings. Through these experiences, Julianna solidified her passion for helping individuals and families through difficult life transitions, as well as through the struggles of everyday living.
Everyone has the capacity within them to change; they may just need some help navigating through the challenging process. Julianna's primary goal in the therapeutic process is to create a safe, nonjudgmental, and supportive environment where she and the client can work together toward creating positive change.
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Julianna incorporates evidence-based practices such as Structural Family Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Play Therapy, Trust-Based Relational Intervention, and Attachment Theory. Julianna enjoys utilizing a Person-Centered approach as well as integrating creative and experiential interventions into the counseling process for the purpose of meeting each individual and family's specialized needs.
In her free time, Julianna enjoys spending time with her family, reading, crocheting, and exploring the local amusement parks. Julianna is looking forward to accompanying you on a journey toward positive change!
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Kelly Harrington, MS, RMHCI, IHM 21840 Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
Kelly is a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern with a master’s degree in professional counseling from Southeastern University. Kelly has a passion for helping individuals, couples, and families improve their emotional attachment to one another and experience the peace and joy that flows out of securely attached relationships. Kelly brings many years of personal and professional experience to her counseling resume. Kelly and her husband, Monty, have been married for 29 years, have three daughters and one dog, and own an unreasonable amount of books.
Kelly first discovered her interest in helping families recover from the impact of broken relationships, loss, and trauma while working as an elementary school teacher for more than 13 years. While teaching, she experienced daily how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and trauma significantly impacted her students’ learning and development and decided to pursue a career in which she can help children, adolescents, individuals, couples, and families work through such experiences to help get their lives and families back on track for healthy living.
Kelly believes that the past, both good and bad situations, influences the present. She will always take time to listen to and explore her clients’ personal histories before beginning therapeutic work. She then practices an integrated therapeutic approach to help clients discover and resolve problematic issues by applying the most appropriate modalities of scientifically proven therapies to each situation. Such therapies most commonly include client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, brief solution-focused therapy, choice therapy, family systems therapy, and emotionally focused therapy. Kelly is uniquely qualified in her therapeutic role, merging many years of life and professional experience to walk alongside her clients on their road to recovery.
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Specialties:
• Couples Therapy • Family Therapy |
• Adolescents •Anxiety |
• Depression •Trauma |
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Kelly Jennings, MS, RMHCI, IMH 20034
Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern

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Kelly is a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern who received her degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Liberty University. Prior to obtaining her Master's degree, she worked in the field of case management, where she assisted individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families. Kelly has also had over fifteen years of volunteer experience working with children and teenagers.
Kelly enjoys utilizing a person-centered approach to meet clients where they are in their journey to help them get where they want to go. She is passionate about helping people pay attention to how emotions show up in their bodies and to process how their thought patterns can be adjusted in order to work through their past issues so that they can live their best life. It's Kelly's goal to create a sense of safety and trust so that her clients are able to explore their personal stories without judgment.
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Kelly is EMDR trained and has training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy. She also enjoys using Person-Centered and Experiential approaches.
In her free time, Kelly enjoys going on adventures with family and friends, gardening, and doing DIY projects. Kelly is the proud "fur mom" of her squad of cats and dogs.
Specialities:
• Trauma (Including PTSD and C-PTSD) |
• Substance Use Disorders |
• Anxiety |
• Depression |
• Codependency |
• Teenagers |
• College Students |
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Kystral Boyd, MSW, ISW 13591
Registered Clinical Social Worker Intern
Kystral Boyd is a Registered Licensed Clinical Social Worker Intern who received her Bachelor’s degree at Southern University New Orleans and a Master’s degree in Social Work with a concentration in Mental Health at Clark Atlanta University. She has received training in Sexual Assault: Sexual Violence Response and Intervention from the Victim Service Center of Central Florida. She has experience in individual, family, and group therapy. She specializes in Anxiety, ADHD, Bipolar, Depression, Trauma, Substance abuse, and co-occurring disorders with adults, adolescents, and children. She also has experience working with Veterans and their families with the Department of Veterans Affairs: Military Sexual Trauma, PTSD, and overall adjusting to pre- and post-military life. Kystral served in the United States Air Force as a Military Police Officer for 10 years when she decided to transition and continue to serve her community as a Registered Licensed Clinical Social Worker Intern.
Kystral has a Dementia Certification from the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners. She has a strong passion for mental health care and respectful treatment of the senior community.
Kystral is eager and willing to assist clients with their journey through life. She has the heart to serve all populations. She enjoys meeting new people. She creates a judgment-free atmosphere and allows the client to be comfortable and transparent.
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Kystral is a Christian. She is married with three children. In her free time, she enjoys cooking traditional New Orleans-style dishes, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
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Lauren Bell, MSW, RCSWI, ISW 17422 Registered Clinical Social Work Intern
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Lauren Bell is a Registered Clinical Social Work Intern who has received her master’s degree in Social Work from Southeastern University. She is passionate about partnering with individuals and families in all areas of life. She incorporates a holistic approach, where she considers all areas of a person’s life as they seek growth and healing. Additionally, Lauren loves to create a safe space where clients feel welcomed, heard, and valued.
Lauren’s experience includes working with children and families in individual and group settings. She is passionate about equipping and empowering all clients with tools they can use to create healthy life patterns and environments they can thrive in.
Therapeutic interventions Lauren commonly uses are Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Play Therapy.
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Specialties:
• Children • Teens |
• Anxiety •Depression |
• Grief •Trauma |
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Nicole Salkaus, Licensed Mental Health Counselor Intern
Nicole Salkaus is a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern working towards licensure while in private practice at Family Life Counseling Center. Nicole provides psychotherapy to children, adolescents, and adults who are struggling with their intrapersonal thoughts, relationships, and other co-occurring mental health issues.
Nicole’s approach utilizes unconditional compassion and understanding as she knows this to be what is necessary for her client’s healing journey. Nicole is proactive in helping clients develop new coping strategies to manage the stress of life while working on recovery from depression, anxiety, life transitions, and relationship issues.
Nicole came to Family Life Counseling Center with a 20-year career as a school educator. Nicole received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Central Florida and continued her education at Troy University, receiving a master’s degree in counseling and psychology. In addition to Nicole’s work at Family Life Counseling Center, she is also certified with the Fl Dept of Education in Exceptional Student Services, Social Science 6-12, and School Counseling.
Nicole has a passion for helping clients enrich their lives by finding strength within their struggles and challenging negative thought patterns. She believes that recovery and personal growth can be attained at any age when the therapist and client work together to cultivate and support the client’s personal goals.
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Norman Oliver RMHCI Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
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Finding healing in life can be a difficult journey. The good news is that you do not have to go through that journey alone! As a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern, I work to provide a safe space where we can collaborate in finding your healing. Oftentimes, taking the first step is the hardest part, and I make it my mission to meet you wherever you are. Feeling heard and understood is an important part of this process; therefore, I am dedicated to understanding you and your point of view. Counseling is not just my job, it is my passion, and I consider it a privilege to get to walk alongside you as your counselor!
Life’s difficulties present themselves in many forms. Our response will be a holistic counseling approach that works to bring balance and wholeness into your life. I find human connection and your personal experience to be very influential pieces in recovery, and as such, they play a big role in steering the healing journey. Through our sessions, my goal is to empower you toward self-sufficiency and sustainable recovery.
I have experience helping people find their healing through individual, group, family, and couples counseling. Some of the therapeutic modalities I often use include the following: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Play Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, and Psychotherapy.
I look forward to working with you and helping you find your healing!
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Specialties:
• Anxiety • Depression • Trauma/Complex Trauma/Abuse • Children |
• Teens/Young Adults • Behavior Modification • Grief |
• Marital/Relational • Issues Attachment • Self-esteem
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Rachael Williams Registered Clinical Social Work Intern
Rachael is a Registered Clinical Social Work Intern who received her Master's in Clinical Social Work at Florida State University. She is passionate about being a resource for others to express their emotions and find the support they need to feel like the best versions of themselves. She has experience working with children and adolescents in the foster care system and individuals who have experienced trauma.
Therapeutic modalities that Rachael utilizes include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Rachael's goal is to find creative outlets for those who need a safe space to feel heard and valued. When you meet with her, you can expect to feel accepted and validated while letting go of the thoughts/feelings you might have been holding in. Through her calm demeanor and kindness, it will feel like you can take a deep breath and have the time to just focus on yourself.
In her free time, Stephanie loves to sing on her church worship team, play ukulele, cook, travel, take pictures, and play board games with friends..
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She looks forward to working with people to find hope and healing!
Specialties:
• Children, Teens, and Young Adults • Self-esteem |
• Childhood Trauma • Anger and Anxiety |
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Stephanie Dow, M.A., IMH21579 Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern

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Stephanie has a heart for meeting people where they are by looking at the whole person, including physical, mental, spiritual, social, and emotional well-being. She believes that empathy and safety from a counselor are the cornerstones of successful healing. Her background includes working with Human Trafficking Survivors, substance abuse, anxiety, depression, trauma, and childhood attachment. She graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master of Arts in Counseling with a Specialization in Clinical Mental Health.
In her free time, Stephanie loves to sing on her church worship team, play ukulele, cook, travel, take pictures, and play board games with friends..
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She looks forward to working with people to find hope and healing!
Specialties:
• Anxiety and Depression • Trauma • Grief |
• Boundaries, Self-Care and Stress Management • Domestic Abuse & Sexual Abuse |
• Childhood Attachment Trauma |
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Thomas Jacobson, MS RMHCI IMH 18469 Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
Tom is a registered mental health Counselor intern. He has a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Illinois – Champaign Urbana and a Master's in Mental Health Counseling from Rollins College. Tom has lived in Florida for nearly 20 years and has worked for a decade with children and families in dependency care. Tom has worked as an educator, dependency case manager, and independent living coordinator focused on helping youth with their struggles in life.
Tom has also served community groups in various non-profits that serve those with different abilities and with LGBTQIA+. Tom has a passion for advocacy and has been to the U.S. Capital to influence change for the underserved and overlooked.
Tom is no stranger to life challenges and knows that with time and work, life circumstances can change. Tom travels everywhere will his four-legged service dog and has utilized him with clients dealing with trauma, anxiety, and depression.
Specialities: • Imago • Trauma Focused CBT • Childhood trauma • Anxiety and Depression in adolescences and adults • LGBTQIA+ community • Individuals with disabilities
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Yvonne Milejczak, M.Ed., NCC IMH22574
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Yvonne meets her clients where they are without judgment to partner with them as they work toward emotional healing and the attainment of their goals. She believes that everyone is doing the best they can with what they have now, from where they are now, and with what they know now. Yvonne uses a person-centered, strengths-based approach to help her clients feel safe and accepted enough to share their stories while also identifying and using the strengths they already possess to solve their problems and grow. She utilizes various evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Psychodynamic Therapy to deliver targeted interventions that are personalized to each individual and their specific needs.
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Yvonne has a passion for counseling and enjoys working with a wide variety of clients and issues. Yvonne’s education includes a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling and human development. She is certified by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC), holds a provisional state license with over 1500 hours of clinical counseling experience, and will be eligible for full licensure soon. Yvonne is also a certified teacher in the state of Florida. She brings over 20 years of experience working with adults, children, and families in the school setting and beyond, as well as the valuable experience of raising her own two children with her husband of 31 years.
Yvonne has experienced many challenges along her own journey, both personally and with loved ones, that now inspire her work to help others. These experiences help her relate to many of the issues her clients may face, including childhood trauma, divorce, grief, alcohol and substance abuse, depression, suicidal ideation, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, relationship issues, and parenting struggles. She understands that life can be tough sometimes! She looks forward to providing you with a compassionate and empathetic listening ear and coming alongside you to help you create the life you deserve.
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Specialties
• Anxiety/Panic Disorders • Depression • Phase of Life Problems/Transitions • Relationship Issues • Grief/Complicated Grief • Bipolar Disorder
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• Parenting • ADHD • Giftedness & High-functioning Autism • Divorce or Loss of Parent • Adolescents (10-19) • Young Adults (College & Career) |
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Grace Chandler Registered Clinical Social Work Intern
Grace is a Registered Clinical Social Work Intern who received her master’s degree in Social Work from Southeastern University. She has a passion for helping people process their pain and overcome challenges through therapeutic relationships. Through an integrated, comprehensive, holistic approach, Grace incorporates many areas of a person’s life into the healing process. She enjoys including aspects of mindfulness with clients to help them become more aware of their experiences and to help them strengthen their mind-body connection. She is enthusiastic about helping people heal from relational trauma and strengthening their familial relationships. Grace is dedicated to creating a space in which clients feel safe, respected, and accepted. Grace enjoys working with all individuals, including those suffering from trauma, anxiety, depression, and relationship problems. She has experience working with people from many different stages of life and particularly enjoys working with young adults, adolescents, and children. Grace commonly uses interventions and techniques from Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Play Therapy.
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Bethany Sandstrom, ISW18043 Registered Clinical Social Worker

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Bethany is a Registered Clinical Social Work Intern. She earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Louisiana State University. She also has a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Wisconsin. Bethany has a passion for helping people through life’s challenges and changes and improving overall mental health.
Bethany has experience working with children and families, people with substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders, trauma (including sexual trauma) survivors, grief (including disenfranchised grief), families experiencing abuse and/or are involved in the child welfare system, crisis intervention, court mandated individuals, and those who identify as LGBTQIA+. She has experience with group topics, including Parenting Education, Domestic Violence, Anger Management, and Women’s Issues.
Bethany prioritizes building a safe, trusting, non-judgmental therapeutic relationship with her patients. She uses a variety of therapeutic methods, including Person-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma Focused CBT, Solutions Focused Therapy, Play Therapy, and Family Systems Therapy.
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Bethany is married with 4 children and has an American Bulldog. She enjoys family time, swimming, reading, fishing, and crocheting.
Bethany feels genuinely honored to work with her patients and be a part of their stories. She enjoys empowering and inspiring her patients and witnessing growth. She looks forward to the opportunity to work with you and your family.
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Eve Edelberg Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
Eve is a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern who received her Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology with honors. She is passionate about being a counselor that is caring and compassionate. Her motto is “Kindness First Always”. She has experience working with individuals struggling to adjust to difficult life situations. Eve has a strong background in substance use treatment and recognizes the unique challenges facing those trying to break free from addictions. Eve has raised children with emotional and mental health disorders and is empathetic with youth who face challenges. Therapeutic modalities that Eve utilizes include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, and solution-focused and strength -based modalities. Eve is patient and supportive. Being in session with her is like finally feeling heard and understood. She has a knack for making you feel relaxed and able to shed your burdens.
In her free time, Eve loves to sing, self-reflect, garden, and create craft works. Eve is highly attuned to being at one with nature.
Specialties:
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Gwendolyn Clinton

Christina Gonzalez

Erica Medina

Marie Howlett

Brittany Petherbridge

Kristina Hawkins

Andrea Griffith

Ashley Reed

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Damaris Reveron

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Billing Specialist & Insurance Verification
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Dan Polito
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David Dorris
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Donnie Burchfield

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