Hello!

Meet Dee, a dedicated and compassionate Licensed Mental Health Counselor based in Florida, who has been part of H&S since 2021. Dee's journey in the helping professions spans an impressive 20 years, starting as a Registered Nurse in 2000. Her commitment to professional development led her to achieve two Master's degrees in Nursing and Health Systems Management from The Ohio State University in 2005.

​

In Ohio, Dee's career flourished as a community health nurse and nurse educator. However, her passion for mental health and counseling eventually led her to Florida in 2016. There, she pursued her calling and earned a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Stetson University, where she completed her education and training from 2018 to 2020. During this period, Dee served as a Master's Level Student Intern at a private practice in Port Orange, Florida, where she gained valuable experience treating clients facing various mental health concerns under the guidance of a licensed counselor.

​

Dee's commitment to helping her community did not waver during the pandemic. She co-facilitated an online support group, providing crucial assistance to those in need. Driven by her passion for supporting people as they heal from past and present trauma, Dee pursued additional training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Furthermore, she is an associate member of the EMDR International Association.

​

In her clinical practice, Dee adopts an integrative approach, combining EMDR therapy with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), narrative therapy, and mindfulness techniques tailored to each client's individual needs. She firmly believes in grounding her treatments in scientific evidence and best practices within the mental health field.

​

Creating a safe and accepting space for her clients is paramount to Dee. She recognizes the overwhelming messages people often face from the outside world, dictating how they "should" act, feel, and think. She advocates for every human being, regardless of race, culture, spiritual background, affectional orientation, or gender identity, to live in peace. Dee's mission is to help people rediscover their authentic selves, which past pain and trauma may have obscured.

 

Dee specializes in working with adults who have experienced past trauma and difficult life events, including emotional and physical/sexual abuse, challenging intimate or family relationships, and bullying. These experiences can manifest as depression, anxiety, anger, addiction, low self-worth, or relationship issues. Dee understands that merely relying on coping skills may not fully alleviate the mental and emotional burdens individuals carry. Instead, she focuses on addressing the roots of distress, which encompass past and present experiences, belief systems, and memories stored in the brain and body. This holistic approach aims to improve the quality of her clients' lives.

​

Beyond her professional endeavors, Dee nurtures her creative side through photography, enjoys theme parks, finds solace in reading, and expresses herself through dancing.

​

If you are seeking a caring and experienced counselor to help you navigate life's challenges and heal from past traumas, Dee is here to support you on your journey to a healthier and happier life. Reach out today to schedule a session and start your path to personal growth and self-discovery with Dee's compassionate guidance.