trauma informed
Trauma-Informed professionals are equipped, thoughtful & move at the client's speed
story work & Safety
Knowing & Processing our Stories is one part + Safety within the relationship in the room is also essential
relational
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researched
We pride ourselves on being Relational Therapists who are fully updated & Research-Based
couples+family individuals
Variety of needs and settings Professionally Offerred
groups & kids
Personalized therapeutic groups, children & teens
GARRETT M. LESLIE, M.A., LMHC
CLINICAL DIRECTOR & FOUNDER
FL BOARD APPROVED SUPERVISOR
Garrett received his Bachelors in Clinical Social Work (BSW) from University of Central FL in 1996 and studied both at Columbia Theological Seminary (now CIU) for Divinity & Pastoral Care and then Reformed Theological Seminary in Counseling Psychology from 1997 to 2001.
He has served as Pastoral Staff for Youth and Families and Supervisor Clinically for researched-based programs (Residential & Behavioral) along with a variety of formal Church and Para-Church Ministries. Garrett is licensed in the State of Florida as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Board Approved Clinical Supervisor.
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Additionally, he has been certified in both School Social Work and School Counseling and also had the privilege to serve as the School Psychologist for Severe Emotionally/Behaviorally Disturbed (SEBD) youth for 13 County Systems for both middle/high school students and their families. Garrett is a certified Stephen's Ministry Leader and Ed. Trainer, LSCI, PSAMS, PREPARE & ENRICH (Marital Program) certified and extensive postgraduate level training for PTSD, Panic Disorders, Psychological/Educational Assessments and Parenting & Prevention Research.
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For those patients who may be uncomfortable with the traditional EMDR method for trauma reduction, Garrett is trained in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and A.C.T. for those experiencing severe stress. He also continues to write publications and articles on mental health dually diagnosis, actual Christian Growth in relation to mental health, Spiritual Abuse and Spiritual Integration in practice.
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His focus and understanding is that the "The therapist can only take someone as far as they have been themselves." So he understands the stuck place you are in, the desperation and hurt, feeling lost and alone and the journey needed for optimal healing/health.
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Garrett has been in private practice and clinical settings for over 19 years and has served on several Boards for both Pastoral and Clinical organizations. He has had the privileged to serve in formal church settings, school systems, hospitals, residential programs, para-church organizations and researched based programs. He speaks at seminars on Relational and Spiritual brokenness, Adolescent and Parent Restoration and Marital Crisis/Healing. He enjoys in his spare time surfing, water parks, nutritional coaching, loves comedy shows, makes humorous attempts at photography/painting and mostly spending quality time playing any kind of recreation with his wife and kids as the whole family are big goofballs at heart!
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Garrett treats the following issues: ​​Trauma, Marital Discord/Crisis, ​Teens, Marital Crisis, Depression & Anxiety Disorders, Divorce/Separation, Pornography/Sexual Brokenness, ​Adolescent and Parent Issues, Relationship Difficulties and Family Conflict, OCD, Grief & Loss, PTSD, Spiritual Hangups/Abuse, Pre-Marital, Alcohol ​Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Adultery, Anger, Court Related Concerns, Self-Harm/Cutting, ADHD & Medication Issues​ and Gender Identity Concerns​. Supervision and Training for Therapists.
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*Mon - Fri Appts., some Saturdays
ELI WESTFALL, MFT, MA., RMFT
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COUPLES, FAMILY, INDIVIDUAL THERAPIST, MFT, TRAUMA INFORMED
​Eli holds a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling from Webster University and a BA degree in Florida Christian College & University.
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He is passionate about helping people of all ages thrive and overcome their biggest challenges. Eli specializes in the treatment of anxiety, depression, PTSD/trauma, life transitions, spirituality, parenting, teen issues and school-related challenges.
Eli grew up in Georgia and moved to Florida 25 years ago when he married his best friend. He has worked with children, youth, and families for almost 30 years in a variety of settings. He has worked for both churches and parachurch organizations. Eli has managed a group home for young men who have aged out of foster care and a residential group home for young men still in foster care. He has fought to protect vulnerable children and adults while working for the Department of Children and Families as a Child Protective Investigator, Adult Protective Investigator, and a Case Manager.
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During his training and tenure in the field, Eli learned the importance of nurturing the whole person – spirit, soul, and body. Eli clearly recognized that although addressing our symptoms might seem like the place to begin our healing, the best results come from working on the source of those symptoms. He has helped many people who were amid crisis while working in the admissions department of a psychiatric hospital. Throughout all his experiences, he has cultivated and developed a commitment to love God and love people.
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Eli works from a collaborative, strengths-based approach to help his clients understand and overcome their challenges. He provides empathy and warmth help to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients can process and heal. He creates specific individualized therapy plans for each client from a variety of therapeutic approaches. Eli has three boys and two dogs. He loves being outdoors and doing all manner of outdoor activities, especially mountain biking, kayaking, hiking, camping, climbing, running, functional training workouts, coffee and cold beer.
*Mon - Thurs. Appointments, Some Saturdays, Group & Individual, Teens, Couples
DAMELIS J. LESLIE, B.A.
CFO, FINANCIAL LIFE COACHING,
MARKETING & ADMIN.
Damelis is originally from Venezuela and graduated from Instituto Superior Universitario in Caracas with a degree in Marketing. She has 20 years of financial experience with a passion for helping everyday people
reach their dreams and goals. Damelis has worked in the financial sector in the Orlando area and working with Walt Disney World, The Hilton and CitiBank that have helped her to realize that she can make an impact on others through compassion, her generosity and attention to detail.
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She enjoys Life Coaching "tough cases" and assists other small businesses with their short and long term goals, while maintaining realistic and reachable outcomes. Damelis, aka, "Mely" has also the expertise for working with immigration doctors and medical professionals in obtaining licensure and FL Board of Medicine completion thru her extensive procedure and process for licensure success.
In her free time, she enjoys playing volleyball, exercise dance, art painting and doing DIY projects with her family. She and her husband have 3 children, and of course 3 doggies, all with distinct personalities! One doggie named "Niko" is our resident Emotional Support Animal here at Tree of Life Counseling Center and can be requested at no additional cost to your sessions.
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*Mon - Friday Appointments upon Request
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DEBRA POLADNA , M.A.
Counseling
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INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY, COUPLES THERAPIST, EMDR
“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the
lights.” - Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004).
While external circumstances may be difficult, our inner attitude, faith, and actions can light a
path forward. Even during life’s most challenging times, happiness can still be found, but it requires an intentional shift in perspective. Debbie’s
desire is to assist you with turning the lights on by helping you discover your power to find the light in the darkness, to assist change in your
mindset, and by focusing on the good, even when things seem bleak.
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Debbie holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Palm Beach Atlantic University. With a passion for helping individuals navigate personal challenges, she is dedicated to providing supportive, empathetic care in a client-centered environment.
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As part of her work at Tree of Life Counseling Center and Foundation, Debbie works with clients facing a variety of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, stress, and relationship challenges. Drawing from evidenced-based practices like EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy), CBT, Trauma Informed and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Debbie tailors her therapeutic approaches to meet the individual needs of each client. She is committed to creating a safe, non-judgmental space for clients to explore their emotions and foster personal growth.
In addition to her clinical work, Debbie is passionate about continuing education and professional development, staying current on the latest research and best practices in mental health counseling. She is excited to always keep growing as a practitioner and a Christian while making a
meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families.
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*Mon - Friday Appointments, Saturdays by appt, Group & Individual
HOLLY MANN, M.A. Counseling, RMHCI
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INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY, CHILDREN THERAPIST, PLAY THERAPY
Holly holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from CACREP accredited Liberty University. She is a firm believer that life can have it’s struggles and trials, but that your best days are ahead of you. She specializes in the treatment of anxiety, depression, ADHD, adjustment disorder, life transitions, families, Children of Divorced/Blended Families, Teens & College-age struggles, individuals and a Trauma-Informed Approach. During her training, Holly has learned the importance of providing a safe space for individuals to process, heal, and feel heard.
Holly’s approach is to listen and be an advocate for individuals and families. She creates specialized treatment plans for individuals’ therapy using different therapeutic approaches including CBT, Play Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Client-Centered and an Integrated Relational Approach. Holly utltizes empathy and warmth createing a safe space, and non-judgmental home for all of her clients to start to process and heal. She can assist
even the more hesitant clients to share their difficult situations, habits, and fears without judgement.
As a therapist, Holly has this genuine, patient, non-judgmental, empathetic self to share with her clients in their journey. Building a trusting relationship is the base of any good therapeutic partnership, which allows the journey to healing to begin & be completed.
Holly, her husband, and son are originally from Southern IL. They currently reside in Sanford, FL. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, painting, going to Disney, and playing video games. Free 15 min consultations offered.
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*Mon - Friday Appointments, Saturdays, Group & Individual
COUNSELING STUDENT INTERNS in both
mft & mh
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INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY, COUPLES THERAPIST, GROUP THERAPY
Reduced Cost Therapy
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You may also choose from one of our Counseling Student Interns at a much reduced cost, who have completed their studies under CACREP accredited Universities and under direct supervision from two Seperate Board Approved Licensed Therapists. These students have an eclectic therapeutic approach including but not limited to Attachment Theory, Client-Centered, DBT, CBT, Internal Family Systems, Solutions Focused, Neuroscience, EFT and Art Therapy.
Our Interns enjoy working with men, women, and teens of all backgrounds. Many also have experience with adolescents providing personalized mentoring and support for various life issues (including trauma, school problems, drug/alcohol use, and depression/anxiety).
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Each Counseling Specialist creates and structures a specialized individualized therapy treatment for each client or family based upon their goals and works centrally on incorporating what clients are seeking mixed with research based interventions for clients to heal and thrive. They are Supervised on Site and meet a minimum of 2-3x per week for Master Supervision. This is like having 3 therapists for the cost of one. Our patients have really enjoyed our Interns and your welcome to interview or have a free 15 min consultation to see if this is a good fit for you.
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*Mon - Friday Appointments, Saturday, In Person & Telehealth, Group & Individual, Family/Couples