About Us

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:

Ryan is a licensed mental health counselor who obtained both her B.A. in Psychology and M.A. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Central Florida. Ryan has been in the social services field since 2004 when she worked with delinquent adolescents and their families creating plans for behavioral change and family support with a goal of reducing recidivism. She then worked for 3 years in Altoona at the Boy’s Ranch with foster males aged 12-17, supporting both the children and staff as a counselor and case manager. Ryan has continued her work as an outpatient counselor, providing services in home, in the office, in group homes, and via telehealth to individuals with a wide range of needs, focusing primarily on trauma, sexual abuse, adoption, foster care, HIV, identity development, substance abuse, mood disorders, and offering support for early adult life transitions. 

Ryan recognizes that seeking assistance can be difficult and may cause ambivalence and fear. Knowing this, it is her goal to provide judgement free services that promote healing. Ryan believes you are the expert on your life and situation but may feel lost on your journey. Together we can work towards your improved mental health, the ability to confidently address past challenges, and equip you with the tools you need to confront current stressors as you move forward to meet your personal goals. Ryan uses cognitive behavioral therapy, client centered therapy, play therapy, mindfulness, acceptance and commitment therapy, motivational interviewing, solution focused therapy, and trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy in her sessions. She is also trained in EMDR. Ryan also believes that time spent outdoors can be extremely healing and enjoys hiking in the Florida wilderness exploring nature and connecting with the world. 

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

• Teens and Young Adults
• Anxiety and Depression
• OCD
• Self-Esteem
• Eating Disorders

• Addiction/ Substance Use disorders
• Relationship Problems
• Communication Skills
• Trauma

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.

Specialties:

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.

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..

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.

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.

Donnie Burchfield