MARRIAGE & FAMILY SERVICES - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
Job Titles:
- Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
Job Titles:
- Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
Job Titles:
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Job Titles:
- Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
Job Titles:
- Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
Andrea Mantilla is a bilingual (English/Spanish) Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern. She specializes in working with children and adolescents who are experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, behavioral disruptions and life transitions, such as parental divorce. Andrea has extensive training in play therapy techniques and incorporates them with client centered approach, tailoring each therapeutic expertise to fit the client's particular needs. Andrea also enjoys helping parents, empowering them with knowledge and tools to navigate various parenting concerns with a positive discipline framework focused on fostering and nurturing parent-child relationships. Andrea believes her life's purpose is to guide families into raising emotionally intelligent children and adolescents that will later on become emotionally healthy adults.
Andrea attended the University of Colorado, Boulder, where she earned a B.A. in Psychology with minors in Education and Spanish. During her undergraduate studies, Andrea worked in various Boulder Valley schools where she mentored children and adolescents. She continued her education at Nova Southeastern University, where she earned a Master of Science degree in Mental Health Counseling. Andrea has also completed a Postgraduate degree in Integrative Humanistic Psychotherapy at Instituto Galene, Madrid, Spain to enhance her clinical skills in Spanish. Prior to working at MFS, Andrea worked with children, adolescents and families in the school and group practice settings offering individual, group and family therapy services. Andrea is very grateful to be a part of the MFS team
Job Titles:
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
- Miami Clinical Director
Ashleigh Acker is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist currently providing Telehealth services in Miami, Florida. She is also our new Miami office Clinical Director. Originally from Los Angeles, she moved to South Florida in 2017. Ashleigh delivers an open-minded and down-to-earth approach to bring you soul-fueled therapy. Her perspective is holistic and systemic, exploring the health of the individual and the family. She explores healing with her clients by helping them balance self-acceptance with self-improvement. The goal is to help her clients fall in love with taking care of themselves, mind, body, and spirit.
Ashleigh is a culturally competent therapist who is experienced dealing with a variety of issues, including anxiety, depression, mood disorders, adjustment disorders, illness, grief, loss, divorce, blended families, coparenting, interpersonal relationship difficulties, major life transitions, healthy relationship dynamics, boundary issues, systemic and relational issues, burnout, stress management, and trauma. Ashleigh loves helping individuals, couples, and families, get back to a more loving, understanding, and connected place by learning healthy communication and empathic reflective listening. With a strengths-based approach to mental health, Ashleigh encourages her clients to move into a state of self-empowerment with a growth mindset. When we learn to have a conscious relationship with ourselves, we can begin to have conscious relationships with others.
Job Titles:
- Intake Coordinator
- Mental Health Counselor Student Intern
- Practicum Intern
Ashley Trevino was raised in South Florida and received her Bachelors in Psychology at the University of Florida. She is currently a graduate student at Palm Beach Atlantic University in the Clinical Mental Counseling program. Ashley pursues this degree after discovering her passion in helping others grow and thrive in reaching for their goals.
Ashley loves working with clients of all backgrounds, age groups, and demographics through individual, family, and couple's therapy. She believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to grow in a safe environment that promotes building resilience. Ashley believes that the therapeutic process should be a collaboration that is client-led and therapist-supported. She looks forward to supplying therapeutic tools that best fit her clients' needs.
Job Titles:
- Health Counselor Student Intern
Job Titles:
- Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
Job Titles:
- Registered Clinical Social Work Intern, EMDR Trained
Job Titles:
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Job Titles:
- Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
Defne Kabas Bici, is a dedicated and compassionate Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) registered intern. She is a graduate of Nova Southeastern University's College of Osteopathic Medicine, holds a Master of Science in Couple and Family Therapy (M.S.).
She is committed to catalyzing positive transformation within individuals, couples, and families. Defne values creating a warm and nurturing environment where children feel safe to express themselves. Her ability to connect with young clients is rooted in her profound understanding of their emotional worlds, gained through extensive training and experience.
Fluent in both English and her native Turkish, Defne is committed to providing culturally sensitive therapy. She understands the significance of cultural backgrounds and embraces the subtleties that make each individual unique. This commitment fosters a profound therapeutic connection, ensuring that clients receive personalized care that resonates with their identities.
Defne's studied in Michigan State University (MSU), where she pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Later, at San Diego State University (SDSU), she embarked on an educational path, earning a Master's Degree Certification in Early Childhood Socio-Emotional and Behavior Regulation Intervention, where she gained an expertise in supporting the emotional well-being of children and families.
As a member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), Defne is unwavering in her dedication to staying at the forefront of her profession. She is trained in the Gottman Method at all levels - I, II, and III. This evidence-based approach empowers her to nurture healthier relationships and elevate communication within couples and families.
Defne has also undertaken rigorous training in Suicide Prevention & Crisis Intervention, equipping her to provide invaluable support for individuals. Her commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards is evident through her HIPAA training.
Job Titles:
- Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
Denise Brooke, is a registered Marriage and Family Therapist intern who is passionate about partnering with individuals, couples and teens on their journey towards personal growth and positive change.
Denise believes in the transformative power of therapy and creates a safe, warm and non-judgmental space where clients can explore their thoughts, feelings and aspirations. She is dedicated to helping her clients heal and nurture their relationships, boost self-esteem, reduce anxiety, and create a positive vision for their future.
Denise's therapeutic approach draws from a diverse range of modalities, with a particular focus on Solution Focused Brief Therapy and Collaborative Therapy. By tailoring her approach to each client's needs, she assists them in building stronger connections with their loved ones and, most importantly, with themselves.
Denise, a native New Yorker, has a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University and her undergraduate degree from The University of Georgia. She is also a trained professional life coach and mentor coach and has held high level management positions in various companies and charitable organizations in both New York and Florida. Denise has been happily married for over twenty years and is the mother of a teenage son.
Job Titles:
- Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner ( PMHNP ) Dr. of Nursing
- Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Dr. Kevin Joseph is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse
Job Titles:
- Master
- Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
Emily Garcia is a master's level therapist working toward her Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is a Narrative therapist, meaning that she understands life through a lens of social construction and meaning. Emily works to help her clients understand their preferred identity and how they can be more aware of it. She takes time to understand and highlight the unique moments in your daily living that others may not.
Emily graduated from Florida State University in 2018 with a Bachelor's in Family and Child Sciences with a minor in Psychology. Following her undergraduate career, she immediately pursued a master's in Marriage and Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University graduating in 2020. Emily is a current Ph.D. candidate in Marriage and Family Therapy at Nova Southeastern University, finishing her dissertation.
Emily has ample experience working and living from a systemic lens that allows her to see life as a multifaceted experience. Emily has worked with school-aged children, teens, adults, couples, and families. Emily's goal is to have her clients feel safe, accepted, and supported while meeting with her. She works hard to empower her clients to strive for the life they want. She has experience working with grief and loss, anxiety, depression, family conflict, and interpersonal relationships. As a Narrative therapist, Emily will work to help her clients understand the meanings behind their thoughts and decisions and what it means for their overall identity.
Job Titles:
- Chief Officer of Quality Assurance
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Clinical Director
- President
Eric Mundt graduated from Fairfield University with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and a Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. His Post-Masters training is in Early Childhood Development, Play Therapy, Touchpoints, Infant Mental Health and Parenting Skills Training. Mr. Mundt is currently a Registered Play Therapist (RPT), Play Therapy Supervisor(RPT-S) and Certified Supervisor through the state of Florida for licensure.
Mr. Mundt has a passion for working with children, families, couples, and parents in all aspects and all complexities of issues and care. He has over 15 years of experience working with a diverse and multicultural population.
Job Titles:
- Provisional Licensed Social Worker
Georgie-Ann Simpson is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Couples and Family Therapy. She holds a master's in Social Work and is a Provisional Licensed Social Worker (PSW). Additionally, she is a Certified Trauma Professional. She also volunteers in different community sectors and serves in various student-centered organizations.
As a Bowen Family Systems Theory (BFST) therapist, she believes that individuals are influenced by the environment in which they are raised; therefore, she incorporates a systemic approach when providing treatment to clients based on their needs. She understands that "not one key fits all doors." Hence, her clinical background of over 7 years has been in social services, aiding vulnerable populations, assertive community treatment, and substance abuse management care. She has experience treating school-age children, teenagers, adults, couples, and families facing depression, anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, medical illnesses, interpersonal relationships, parenting issues, family conflicts, cultural conflicts, and other life transitions.
Georgie-Ann values seeing her clients freed, healed, and made whole through expressing themselves verbally and non-verbally. She aims to understand the natural recurring and altitude of various emotional levels and redefine the order of these occurrences therapeutically, systematically, and collaboratively. Furthermore, she is the author of several books focusing on healing from a broken past and living a life of purpose and destiny.
Job Titles:
- Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
Job Titles:
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Jaci Wright is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who was raised in Nebraska where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Nebraska-Kearney. She then moved to Miami, FL to obtain a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology from Barry University in 2017. Jaci's clinical experience includes providing counseling within school systems, Baker Act facilities, and within the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community which allowed her to understand the complex system challenges faced by children, teens, and families while advocating for the success in all environments.
She began her career working with the Deaf/Hard of Hearing community where she gained fluency in ASL and provided individual and family counseling services, guiding individuals to overcome a variety of challenges in order to foster a healthy sense-of-self and family dynamics. She also worked in the rural Nebraska School District to develop a mental health program to lead and implement across the southwestern part of the state.
Jaci's counseling style focuses on compassion and empathy with a down-to-earth and realistic approach. She is passionate about working with adolescents and families experiencing challenges and finds it truly rewarding to be a part of the process that can lead to a healthy family and promote resiliency and self-esteem in teens, finding it most rewarding to see children and teens proud of themselves and reaching their full potential.
Job Titles:
- Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
Jean Lane Snyder is a registered marriage and family therapist intern and received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Community and Human Services from the State University of New York, and her Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Liberty University in Virginia. She also holds a Master's Certified Substance Abuse Provider (MCAP) certification in the State of Florida. She completed her first Internship at a local Florida mental health facility as a Sr. Mental Health Therapist providing therapy to children and adolescents, and their families. Additionally, as a substance abuse provider, she has worked at both For-Profit and Non-Profit organizations, with children, adolescents and adults using Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapies. Jean has had experience working with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD and behavioral problems, grief-loss, self-harm, addiction, relational issues, domestic violence, trauma and life transitions.
While working in the field in many settings, Jean recognized that there was a real need to incorporate families into the therapy process when a client presents with needs for intervention; because oftentimes it stems from underlying problems within the family setting that go unnoticed or unmet. From a systemic approach, she works with the family to assist them to first identify the presenting problem(s), and work to find their own solutions to their identified problems. Jean values the client/therapist relationship as the most important factor to implement change.
Job Titles:
- Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
Job Titles:
- Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
Job Titles:
- Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
Jennifer (Jen) Lewis earned a Master's of Family Therapy at Nova Southeastern University in 2021. She has experience working with children and adults, and continues to explore more diverse populations. She has experience using Solution-Focused Therapy, Play Therapy, and Bowenian therapy. She continues to do research on other techniques of therapy in order to give her clients the most beneficial care. Jen works with clients who deal with depression, anxiety, ADHD, and daily struggles.
Job Titles:
- Mental Health Counseling Student Intern
- Mental Health Counselor Student Intern
Job Titles:
- Certified Rehabilitation Counselor
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor ( CRC )
Julieth Hoyos is a Licensed Psychotherapist and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, a graduate of the University of South Florida with a Master's in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Marriage & Family Therapy. Ms. Hoyos is also an International Peace & Conflict Resolution Specialist, trained mediator, and restorative justice practitioner. Ms. Hoyos received her Master's in International Peace & Conflict Resolution from Arcadia University with a specialization in Conflict Management & Restorative Justice. In addition, Ms. Hoyos has a specialization in International Development from Jaume I University, UNESCO Chair of Philosophy for Peace. Ms. Hoyos has experience working with individuals, couples, children, and groups using a multicultural perspective in different settings and levels of care such as residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient.
Ms. Hoyos therapeutic treatment modalities include Cognitive-Behavioral, Dialectical Behavioral, Solution-Focused, ACT, Trauma-Informed Care, Play Therapy, Narrative, and Structural Family Therapy. Ms. Hoyos is an enthusiastic and sensitive therapist; passionate about facilitating the improvement of the quality of life of the people she serves.
Job Titles:
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Job Titles:
- Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
Job Titles:
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor, EMDR Trained
Job Titles:
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Lakisha Foxworth is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She received her Master of Counseling Psychology from Palm Beach Atlantic University with a concentration in Guidance Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy. Lakisha has experience in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy, Trauma Informed Care, Prepare and Enrich as well as Couples Communication. Ms. Foxworth has a passion for working with individuals, families, and couples to assist them in identifying their strengths: mental, emotional and spiritual, developing effective communication and fostering healthy relationships. She has over 10 years of experience working with a diverse and multicultural population. She believes in developing a connection with clients that fosters trust, growth and leads to sustainable change. She is passionate about helping others to identify their inner strengths and ability to solve their own problems through accessing quality mental health care. In her free time, Lakisha enjoys reading, painting, traveling, and watching basketball.
Job Titles:
- Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
Lauren Joyce is a Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern providing in-person and telehealth services in Plantation and Delray Beach, Florida. Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, she earned her master's degree in mental health counseling while living in New York City and has recently returned to South Florida. During her academic career, she coauthored multiple research publications pertaining to the effects of trauma on children and adolescents. Lauren has a growing passion to help her client's find the tools within to overcome the hardships of life so that they may not only function, but truly flourish in their lives. It is her belief that healing is not always linear nor a "one size fits all" process, so she aims to tailor her techniques to fit each person's individual needs.
Lauren's professional experience includes working with mandated clients from the criminal justice system in New York City. Though this is not her desired population to work with, the unique and diverse experience she gained has prepared her to help combat an even wider range of life challenges and mental health issues while maintaining unconditional positive regard for each client. It is her belief that the best therapeutic relationships are based on genuine acceptance and trust.
Lauren has experience dealing with a variety of mental health issues including anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, sexual disorders, trauma, mood disorders, marital issues, coparenting, and blended families to name a few. Her approach is based on the idea that the meaning we give to our experiences influences how we see ourselves and the world around us. Lauren hopes to help empower her clients to use their voice to become experts in their own lives and begin living in a way that highlights their values, strengths, and uniqueness.
Job Titles:
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Lindsay Grobstein holds her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Florida State University and her Master of Science in Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University. She has comprehensive experience working with a wide range of clients from preschoolers to adults, who have had a variety of presenting problems including anxiety, depression, substance abuse, behavioral concerns, family conflict, and parent-child relationships. Lindsay knows a strong therapeutic relationship is grounded in mutual trust and understanding.
When Lindsay works with a client, she takes a relational approach to therapy and spends a lot of time working out how the environments in her clients' lives impact their therapeutic processes. Lindsay also believes in a strengths-based approach, which encourages collaborative problem-solving and allows her to build honest relationships with her clients in which they feel open to share, completely free of judgement. Lindsay looks forward to working collaboratively toward progress and positive changes in all of her clients' lives.
Job Titles:
- Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
Luis Guerrero graduated from Rollins College with a Psychology major and from Nova Southeastern University with a Marriage and Family therapy masters. Currently, he is studying for his Doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy (DMFT) at NSU.
He has experience working with older individuals, families, and children. Born in Caracas, Venezuela, he has experience as an immigrant and can speak fluent Spanish. He is certified in diversity training and able to work with cultures that aren't his own. His style is focused on solutions and self-perception. He wishes to create a safe space where trust is built, and clients can have their genuine feelings heard, free of judgement and blame.
Job Titles:
- Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
Luisa Anderson is a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern and a Certified School Counselor who is bilingual in Portuguese and English. She has earned a Master's degree in School Counseling in 2019 and a Specialist Degree in Mental Health Counseling in 2021, both from Florida Atlantic University.
Luisa's clinical experience includes providing counseling within school systems and in private practice settings which allowed her to understand and empathize with children, teens and adults as well as work with them toward personal and professional success.
She began her career working as a school teacher to children and teens and had the opportunity to teach adults as well. When she became a counselor, she transferred a lot of her knowledge on child development and human lifespan to the counseling setting, thus helping parents and students achieve their full potential. She has also worked as a therapist to adults, guiding them in overcoming challenges and fostering a healthy lifestyle including family, relationships, and college and career goals.
Luisa's counseling style focuses on the client finding solutions and acceptance so they feel capable of accomplishing short and long-term plans. She works with her clients toward a healthier path, helping them stay on that path or redirect themselves to it.
Job Titles:
- Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
Job Titles:
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Job Titles:
- Chief Officer of Administrative Operations
Job Titles:
- Registered Marriage & Family Therapist Intern & Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
- Registered Marriage and Family Therapist & Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
Job Titles:
- Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
Meghan Hobbs is a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern with the state of Florida and currently providing both in-person and Telehealth services. Meghan graduated with her Bachelor's degree from the University of Florida where she studied both Psychology and Family, Youth, and Community Sciences. Meghan then earned her Master's degree at Palm Beach Atlantic University where she received training in both Mental Health Counseling and Marriage & Family Therapy.
Meghan is experienced in helping clients deal with a variety of issues including depression, anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, trauma, grief/loss, substance abuse, and addiction. Her approach is influenced by evidenced-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Client Centered Therapy, and elements of Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Meghan aims to provide non-judgmental and individualized care for each client while helping them to explore their self-perceptions, recognize their strengths, and empower themselves for growth and creating change.
Job Titles:
- Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
Job Titles:
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Job Titles:
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Job Titles:
- Registered Clinical Social Work Intern
Job Titles:
- Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
Job Titles:
- Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
Job Titles:
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Job Titles:
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Job Titles:
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Job Titles:
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Job Titles:
- Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern