Dr. Charisse Diaz PsyD LMHC Qualified Supervisor
Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Charisse Diaz has 16 years of experience in the mental health field and is a Qualified Supervisor through the Florida Department of Health where she provides guidance and training for new counselors entering the field. She has a warm and friendly style and has treated a wide variety of issues and disorders and welcomes patients with any issue to work with her. Dr. Diaz specifically specializes in the treatment of Anxiety related disorders including; Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Trichotillomania, and Excoriation Disorder. Dr. Diaz primarily relies on Behavioral Activation, Mindfulness Based Interventions, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Habit Reversal Training and tailors her treatment individually to each patient.
In addition to her specialty in Anxiety Treatment, Dr. Diaz works closely with local Pediatricians and has a special interest in working with children utilizing Behavioral Modification, Parenting Skills Training, and Play Therapy Techniques.
Emanuel “Manny” Diaz MA, RMHCI, ADC-C
Chief Operations Officer
Manny has several years of experience working with children and adults with a variety of issues and disorders. Manny has experience with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder, Depression, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Trauma. Manny enjoys working with both adults and children and will work with you to tailor a treatment approach that will help you feel your best. Manny has a welcoming and strength-based approach that will help you or your child to feel at ease. Manny is also direct when necessary and will help you to address issues that you may not initially be aware of when first coming to treatment. Manny strongly relies on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Behavioral Modification, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Exposure and Response Prevention in his treatment methods.
Manny is also a Certified Attention Deficit Consultant Specialist by the American Institute of Healthcare Professionals. Due to his expertise in this area, he can provide assessment, diagnosis, education, and guidance for you or your child who may be struggling with symptoms of ADHD.
Dr. Carmen R. Ugalde, PhD, LMHC
Licensed Clinician
Dr. Carmen R. Ugalde has extensive experience in the mental health field successfully working with children, adolescents, and parents in various settings, including private practice and school counseling. Her areas of expertise include parenting, emotional and behavioral disorders, adjustment disorders, stress-related issues, anxiety, depression, among others. She is committed to helping her clients become their best selves through a highly personalized, collaborative, and strength-based approach. Her treatment modalities rely on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Rational Emotive Therapy, Mindfulness-based interventions, integrative and holistic practices, as well as play and art therapy. Dr. Ugalde is a native Spanish speaker and has frequently worked with youth and parents from diverse backgrounds.
Janece “JC” Caro LMHC
Licensed Clinician
JC works hard to provide an environment that is accepting and supportive and simultaneously looks for ways that increase growth and healing. Her approach emphasizes skill-building, self-knowledge, and balance. She has been a therapist in a variety of settings for about 20 years, helping people deal with anxiety, depression, stress, self-esteem issues, marital and family conflict and trauma in their lives and relationships. She has worked with children, adolescents, and adults and enjoys working with a variety of individuals, couples and families. Because she speaks conversational Spanish, she is available to provide counseling in Spanish when requested. JC is kind and truly cares about you and your well-being. She provides therapy with a sense of humor but also years of knowledge and experience. JC relies most on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and a Patient-Centered approach when she is caring for patients.
She views her role in your life as being part of your team where she helps you determine what is best for you. It is through working together that she believes positive changes can occur.
Kada Stull MA
Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern
Kada enjoys working with kids, teenagers, adults and providing parents with support and validation through the ups and downs of parenting. Kada graduated with her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from The University of Florida and she is in the process of becoming a Registered Play Therapist.
Kada takes a trauma-informed approach and uses attachment-based theory in her practice. She also utilizes CBT, Person-Centered and Mindfulness Based Interventions. She loves using Play Therapy Techniques as play is a child’s primary form of communication and processing. Kada has experience in working with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Reactive Attachment Disorder, ADHD, Depression, Anxiety, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Self Esteem, Adjustment Disorder and all the changes that life can throw at us from time to time. Kada believes we have everything we need inside us already to heal and grow, but sometimes we just need help tapping into those strengths. Kada aims to provide a safe environment to do just that.
Holly Gardner MA RMHCI
Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern
Holly brings a unique 15 years of experience in the mental health field, including working on an inpatient psychiatric unit, and most recently running an Adult Trauma Recovery Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient program.
Holly specializes in treating, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Eating Disorders, Mood Disorders, and relationship difficulties. With such an array of diagnoses she treats, Holly is aware of and utilizes various approaches that best fit an individual’s needs. The various treatment approaches that she uses include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Schema Therapy, Prolonged Exposure Therapy, and Exposure and Response Prevention. She also includes the use of art and music to help individuals communicate and process through difficult times. Holly is a Massachusetts native, living in the sunshine state for the past 6 years. While not working Holly can be seen on the rugby field and competing in local triathlons.
Lauren Roberts, MA
Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern
Lauren truly enjoys working with adults, couples, and children ages two and older, along with providing parental support through a love and logic approach. Lauren received her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is a Doctoral student in the Counselor Education and Supervision program at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Lauren enjoys working with a variety of issues ranging from Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), Adjustment Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Anxiety, Self-Esteem, Depression and Couple’s Counseling. In addition, Lauren has experience with grief counseling having led support groups for children who experienced a significant death and co-facilitated a support group for adults who experienced a death from suicide.
Lauren’s approach is trauma informed along with utilizing skills and techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Person-Centered therapy with a strength-based approach along with Mindfulness-Based Interventions. When working with children and teens, Lauren utilizes play therapy skills and techniques into her sessions. Lauren wants to provide a safe environment for all ages to explore their past, who they are today, and where they want to be tomorrow.
Savannah Arseneau, MA
Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern
Savannah is trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy. ART is an evidence–based novel psychotherapy that fosters rapid recovery by reprogramming how the brain stores traumatic memories and imagery. ART has roots in and includes elements of existing evidenced-based modalities. The treatment program incorporates memory visualization techniques that are enhanced by the use of horizontal eye movements, as well as memory reconsolidation, a way in which new information is incorporated into existing memories.
Savannah is passionate about mental health, which led her to pursuing and earning her M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling by age 26. She has been working in the mental health field for 5 years and understands the unique struggles and stressors that everyone is facing. She enjoys working with all ages 14 and up, and while comfortable with most any situation, she specializes in trauma and anxiety disorders. Savannah recognizes that anxiety can make keeping up with daily responsibilities difficult due to lack of energy, focus, lethargy, or not feeling like one’s normal self. Regardless of past or current experiences and relationships, Savannah assists her patients with facing life’s struggles. Together, she collaborates with patients to set goals and make changes by using different techniques to best fit everyone’s needs in an effort to become the very best version of themselves. Savannah creates a nonjudgmental space where patients experience warmth, understanding, hope, and an underlying sense of humor resulting in feeling safe and accepted.
Cindy Dion, MA
Administrative Assistant
Cindy’s professional history can only be described as a tad different than most. Although fortunate to have succeeded in two careers, they could not be more opposite. After earning her B.A. and M.A. in Counseling Psychology, Cindy worked with children, adolescents, and families creating and implementing developmental, educational, and behavioral plans along with providing counseling. Following this 7-year tenure, her career took a complete turn. With a little bit of tenacity and vision, she landed in the live entertainment industry as a marketing executive working in arenas, stadiums, theaters, performing arts centers, and museums for over 20 years. She believes that the basis of her success was derived from her psychology training as it assisted her in understanding consumer behavior and its psychographics. She jokingly states that her background came in handy when working with the egos of musicians, athletes, and celebrities. Upon the conclusion of quite a hectic and accomplished career, she came “full circle” and returned to her roots. Cindy joined the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) as a volunteer. As a trained facilitator, she leads mental health support groups on a weekly basis. She also works individually with those affected by mental illness providing support, hope, and empowerment. Additionally, Cindy is a trained Peer Support Specialist. As a mental health advocate, she gives public presentations through NAMI’s In Our Own Voice program sharing lived experiences and working toward ending the stigma.
Cindy will be your initial contact when you reach out to our practice. She will guide you in matching with the best counselor for you, reviewing financial costs and setting up your first session. We know that you will love interacting with her as much as we do!
Marley
Animal Assisted Therapy Dog in Training
Marley is a purebred Goldendoodle who is currently in training to provide Animal Assisted Therapy to those who choose to benefit from her during their sessions. Marley comes from champion bloodlines and has older siblings who serve in many helping capacities, working with First Responders and in Hospital settings. As Marley is currently in training, her ability to fully interact is a bit limited as she works towards full certification. We hope that Marley brings our patients peace and joy in sessions for those who are comfortable with this. Please note that having Marley in your sessions is completely optional.
