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
Eve Brinson, MFT, MA., RMHCI
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CHILDREN, FAMILY, WOMEN'S THERAPIST, MFT, EMDR Trained
​Eve holds a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling from Barry University and a degree in Education from the University of Central Florida.
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She is passionate about helping people of all ages thrive and overcome their biggest challenges. She specializes in the treatment of anxiety, depression, PTSD/trauma, life transitions, spirituality, parenting, and school-related challenges. She also was a certified teacher for the State of FL for many years.
Eve is certified in EMDR and utilizes Emotional Freedom Technique, DNMS (Developmental Needs Meeting Strategy), Family Systems and Attachment Based Therapies as well as a certified Mastering Mindsets Life Coach.
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During her training, Eve learned the importance of nurturing the whole person – spirit, soul, and body. Eve 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. Attending to the symptoms alone is like breaking off the tip of a weed: given time, it will grow back because the root is still alive and well. When you remove the root of your distress, you are free to move forward with more resilience and enjoy opportunities for healthy relationships and personal success.
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Eve works from a holistic, collaborative, strengths-based approach to help her clients understand and overcome their challenges. Her empathy and warmth help to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients can process and heal. She creates individualized therapy for her clients from a variety of therapeutic approaches including EMDR, Family Systems, Attachment Based Therapy, Psychodynamic, Emotional Freedom Technique, Solution Focused Therapy, CBT, and life coaching.
*Mon - Friday Appointments, Saturdays, Group & Individual
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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MEG WINKLER, MA. Counseling
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INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY, CHILDREN THERAPIST, CERTIFIED LIFE COACH
Meg Winkler was raised in Florida and received her bachelor's in exceptional education from UCF. Though she spent 20 years working as a special education teacher focusing on underserved
populations in the inner city what made her a stronger teacher was completing her master's in mental health counseling from RTS in 2000.
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Meg has over 20 years of experience serving all kinds of individuals going through their own journeys. With her bachelors in special education and a master's degree in mental health counseling she finds herself well equipped guiding high school students and their families directly as a teacher and counselor. After 15 years of being student focused she ventured into pursuing a side passion of real estate for the last decade. During this career choice she was still investing in the emotional needs of her clients and shifting toward a life coaching role when clients benefited from additional support in the midst of major financial decisions and relational life changes. Meg has provided support for those seeking to make big life changes, practical insight and emotional space for those navigating big challenges, as well as insight, discernment, and wisdom springing from her degrees, decisions, and an array of dramas she has miraculously found her way out of.
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Meg is drawn to people who consider themselves strugglers: the relentless pursuers of life despite the challenges, those on the periphery of the mainstream. Meg provides a peaceful, non judgmental place to talk out loud and speak your own clarity into your personal situations. She is heartwarming, exudes emotional safety, and is able to embrace all of the trauma, chaos and condemnation life throws at us while discovering how we would like to escape or verbalize what we are experiencing.
*Mon - Friday Appointments, Saturdays, 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
Lauren Theriault, M.A. Counseling, RMHCI
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INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY, COUPLES THERAPIST, GROUP THERAPY
Lauren holds a Master of Arts in Counseling Degree from the CACREP accredited Reformed Theological Seminary. Prior to earning her Graduate Degree, Lauren studied dance and art for her undergraduate degree, and loves integrating art, music and creativity in the counseling room with her clients and based upon what each client prefers. This can be helpful for processing a variety of challenges, including anxiety, trauma, life transitions, spirituality, internal and family conflict.
Whether it be navigating a temporary life issue, breaking bad habits, or exploring past trauma, Lauren enjoys helping her clients tell their stories in a kind and productive way. She focuses on ways to help clients reach their goals, create appropriate coping skills, and build curiosity and compassion for their experiences. Her preferred therapeutic approaches include Attachment Theory, DBT, CBT, Internal Family Systems, Neuroscience, and Art Therapy.
Lauren enjoys working with men, women, and teens of all backgrounds. She also has experience with adolescents providing personalized mentoring and support for various life issues (including trauma, eating disorders, drug/alcohol use, and depression/anxiety). This is coupled with her direct immersion in European, Hispanic and African countries which in turn has provided her with exposure to clients of many multicultural backgrounds.
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Lauren will create and structure an individualized therapy treatment for each client or family based upon their goals and works centrally on incorporating what her clients are seeking mixed with research based interventions for her clients to heal and thrive. Lauren is married and is a rare true native Floridian is currently open to accepting new patients.
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*Mon - Friday Appointments, In Person & Telehealth, Group & Individual, Family/Couples
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Hi there! My name is Julia DeLettre and I hold a Master of Arts in Counseling Degree from the CACREP accredited Reformed Theological Seminary. I have experience working with anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions, boundary setting, self-care, identity, couples, pre-marital counseling, and family counseling.
As a counselor, my heart is to sit with those who feel they are too far gone, too broken, and offer a listening ear and a warm and compassionate presence. I have been a person who walked into the counseling office for the first time feeling “too far gone.” Through compassionate care from a counselor, I felt a strong pull to walk with clients in a way that others have walked with me in my own mental health journey. As I have seen the benefit of healthy relationships, I seek to use a relational approach when sitting with clients. I believe that we are both harmed and healed in the context of
relationships. We all have a story that is filled with joy and sorrow, celebration and weeping. I aim to meet the client where they are. Since each client is different, I use different approaches as I aim to keep it open to fit the needs of the unique and individual client I am working with. I often use Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Internal Family Systems (IFS). My hope is that sessions would be a safe space for clients to come and wrestle with what is going on in a kind and loving environment. Whatever you may be coming into counseling for... may you know that “Your brokenness is welcome here.” Walking with you in whatever you may be facing would be my honor and privilege.
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Julia grew up right outside of Memphis, TN on the Mississippi side and enjoys working with all ages of women, men and teens of any backgrounds. She will utilize an electric mix of approaches based upon each client's needs and goals set forth by the client and therapist relationship as a collaborative experience. She is currently a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern with the Florida Dept. of Health. and accepting new patients.
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*Mon - Friday Appointments, In Person & Telehealth, Group & Individual
Julia DeLettre, M.A. Counseling, RMHCI
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INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY, COUPLES THERAPIST, GROUP THERAPY
Jessi Slater, M.A.
Counseling, RMHCI
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INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY, COUPLES THERAPIST, GROUP THERAPY
Jessi and her husband Austin are originally from the beautiful Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. They currently reside in Oviedo, FL. Prior to Jessi’s career in counseling, she enjoyed practicing social work, but found herself longing for more time to sit with people and help them navigate the ups and downs of emotional and relational life.
Additionally, Jessi found significant healing and growth in her own counseling journey, further reinforcing a passion to come alongside individuals in a similar way. Jessi received a Master of Arts in Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando and is a current Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern with the Florida Board Dept. of Health.
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Jessi earned her Bachelor of Social Work from James Madison University moreover, she worked and served as a Therapeutic Foster Care Coordinator
as a part of the Georgia Parent Support Network prior to receiving her Master's Degree. Jessi supported foster children within placements by providing individualized services, crisis intervention and stabilization and assisting them in meeting their goals. Furthermore, Jessi provided coordinated services among involved professionals from outside agencies in a collaborative effort. She has experience working with adults, couples, teens and college aged issues and challenges and enjoys working with multicultural individuals and their families.
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Jessi has experience with working with a variety of theoretical orientations including Attachment, Neuroscience, Internal Family Systems, Cognitive-Behavioral, Dialectical-Behavioral (DBT), and Person-Centered therapy. She has furthered experience with Holland Code Assessment, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Brief Symptom Inventory, Coping Response Inventory, Beck’s Depression Inventory, NEO Personality Inventory-3,
Personal Assessment of Intimacy in Relationships, and Aces Trauma Assessment and is now accepting new patients.
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*Mon - Friday Appointments, In Person & Telehealth
