Michele Virtuoso, LCSW

When our view shifts toward creating a kinder, gentler, more compassionate world, it is crucial to apply that same momentum and dedication when considering how we treat ourselves. One essential method of achieving a sense of contentment within our lives involves devoting our energy to self-discovery. We are obligated to discover how to live our version of an enjoyable, fulfilled life optimally.

My clients receive support through the process of self-discovery. I guide my clients in becoming their own “life therapists” with skills to push through life’s difficulties long after their time in therapy is complete. Utilizing this approach, they begin to realize and apply their inner strength to help them cope with struggles and evolve from difficult circumstances wiser, stronger, more resilient, and confident, with life-long skills to cope with everyday challenges.

Katy Redel, LMHC

Seeing life through the eyes of a child confronted with adult issues is challenging. As a licensed Mental Health Counselor, I hold over 18 years of professional experience assisting children and families overcome the hardships they face in life. I began my career with children directly after receiving my bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Working within the Children’s Division, I observed families’ struggles with abuse, addiction, and neglect. Witnessing various tribulations within families and maintaining a desire to do more, I obtained my Master’s degree in counseling to fulfill this lifelong pursuit. Since receiving my education and license to practice in Florida, I have functioned as an in-home therapist providing intensive therapies to at-risk families. For the previous three years, I provided direct clinical supervision to counselors aiding clients of all mental health and substance use diagnoses. I am a client-centered counselor who considers a non-judgmental setting to develop the foundation for healing and empowerment. I utilize multiple processes to support, engage, foster change, and embrace the therapeutic journey in treatment. I employ a mixture of therapeutic modalities in sessions, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectal Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Solution-Focused Therapy. I have experience working with people of all cultures, ethnicities, and socio-economic backgrounds. I use play therapy and family systems theories when working with children and families. For families encountering issues with separation or divorce, I am here to guide them to best-interest parenting plans for their children. Trained in collaborative law, I am very focused on the team approach when assisting families to ensure I meet the needs of all individuals. My passion for aiding others in need inspired me to become a qualified supervisor for Registered Mental Health Counselor Interns, so I may support them in their pursuit to assist others in need.

Holly Crandall

Holly's lifelong passion is teaching others how to obtain freedom from stress and stabilize this freedom with the daily practice of mind, body, and relational well-being. Holly's clients learn clear ways to access the stress tolerance already within them and build resilience with practice over time. Holly guides her clients in understanding that the mind is complex and that stress blocks new learning, making it challenging to find relief. Her clients begin to appreciate that true relief requires a new kind of teaching and that learning is activated through the mutual sharing of true information within a trusting relationship. When interest, curiosity, and openness are transmitted through the relational field, receptors to new learning open. We then begin to make sense of the effects of stress and what causes its relief. This kind of freedom feels like waking up, and with that comes the motivation to commit to the daily and humble practice of stress relief. Born in Cincinnati and raised in Pittsburgh in a high-achievement culture, Holly's journey of recovering her humanity has been a lifelong endeavor! After graduating from Embry Riddle as a pilot and realizing she was more curious about how people worked than airplanes, she pursued a master's degree in exercise physiology and wellness from UCF and a master's degree in marriage and family therapy from Stetson. After owning a wellness center and working with children and families, she became fascinated with the science of stress and its effect on well-being. This fascination guided her down a life long path of learning about trauma, developmental psychology, attachment, personality, family systems, interpersonal neurobiology, positive psychology, coaching, mindfulness, compassion, meditation, exercise, nutrition, yoga, massage, mind-body stress reduction, hypnosis, nonviolent communication, safe conversations, relational mindfulness, mentalization, music, play, and joy. Holly teaches simple stress tolerance skills using the relational neuroscience of learning together to build true relief to all seeking freedom from stress.

Carlton Gould

Carlton has 15 years of experience serving people with behavioral, social-emotional, and mental health needs. He enjoys and has experience serving individuals of all ages, ethnicities, affiliations, and cultures with diverse issues. As a registered behavior technician, he willingly visited clients' homes to provide services in their environments. Carlton has experience as an addictions counselor, working with those suffering from drug abuse. He uses many modalities, such as person-centered therapy, motivational interviewing, and cognitive behavioral therapy. His vision is to use his skill set to help those looking to restructure their lives, whether emotionally, cognitively, socially, or behaviorally. Carlton has a Master of Science in psychology, specializing in Applied Behavior Analysis.

Filomena Virtuoso, M.Psych.

Filomena is an I.O. Psychologist and Certified Life & Executive Coach based in Central Florida. Her holistic approach and evidenced-based practices bring clarity, direction, and positive support to her clients. Her mission is to help clients live their best lives by specifying self-destructive patterns and filling the gap between where they are now and where they want to be. Clients will reach their highest goals and potential by identifying where growth is desired, setting goals and objectives, and maintaining accountability. We all have a light within us. You are already born with the qualities you need to get everything you want! Filomena's training will help people find direction and true happiness in all aspects of their lives. Filomena helps her clients reach each milestone, one at a time with an ultimate end goal of satisfaction and success.

Filomena's Story:

Filomena relocated from New York City to Florida with her family in 2019. She has over ten years of professional experience in organizational management. Filomena obtained her Bachelor of Science in 2015 in Psychology, her Master of Science in Psychology with a concentration in industrial-organizational psychology in 2020, and her national certification as a life coach in 2022. She has extensive experience working with adolescents and adults. She is an LGBTQ+ affirming therapist and is a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

Connie Vandervelde, MSW

Connie is a person-centered Clinical Social Worker who considers a non-judgmental setting to develop the foundation for healing and empowerment. She has a background in interpersonal violence and works with all ages. Connie obtained her Master of Social Work from the University of Georgia in 2020 and is currently a Registered Clinical Social Worker Intern working toward licensure. She works with children, teens, and adults enduring trauma and anxiety using techniques, including mindfulness practices, DBT, and CBT, to help each person lead a productive, enjoyable, and empowered life.

Sunshine Austin

Supporting others is Sunshine's devotion. She persists in fulfilling that passion at Mindful Healing. With over 30 years of living in our community, she is passionate about assisting others to thrive and improving the community. She relishes working with others who align with her core values of family and friends. Sunshine has over 20 years of management background. Four years ago, she pursued another passion and became a licensed esthetician, which she worked as for the last four years. In 2023, she returned to a management role and joined Mindful Healing. Outside of her career focus, she enjoys spending time with her family and crafting. She looks forward to helping others flourish at Mindful Healing.

Jodie Barko Abshire, MSW

Jodie is a person-centered clinical social worker with a background in mental health, addiction, and spirituality. Jodie has a passion to integrate creativity, spiritual exploration, sensory modalities, and movement into her sessions. Through the use of sound/music, light/color frequencies, laughter, yoga, and mindfulness, she helps clients tap into their highest self. Jodie provides counseling solutions to individuals, couples, families, and groups struggling with trauma, anxiety, depression, attachment disorder, and addiction. She facilitates EMDR, CBT, DBT, Emotional Freedom Technique, Positive Psychology, motivational interviewing, and meditation. Jodie acquired her master’s degree in clinical social work in 2018 from the University of Southern California. She has 4 years of counseling background with mental health and substance abuse diagnoses. Jodie specializes intechnology addiction workshops to bring awareness to how technology affects child development, mental health, cognition, and society as a whole. She is currently in the process of earning her certificationin Trauma informed yoga.

Genna Rich

Genna owns and runs KS medical billing. She enjoys getting to know her clients and assisting them with every question or problem they present her with. Genna was born and raised in Zephyrhills, Florida. Softball has been a large part of Genna's life since age 7. She is now the head coach of the minor league softball team that KS medical billing sponsors. When Genna isn't working or coaching, she enjoys spending time with her Fiancé Jacob and their two dogs, Clyde and Annie.

Oksana Collier

Oksana specializes in working with all populations, especially children and teenagers. She employs her education, which includes a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Missouri State University, a Master's degree in Mediation and Conflict Resolution, her current pursuit of her Master's degree in Social Work, and her certifications in substance use counseling and mediation when working with her clients.

Oksana utilizes a combination of evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Art Therapy, Play Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Mindfulness Therapy. She guides her clients toward positive outcomes and personal growth. Drawing from personal experiences, specifically with children in foster care and adopted homes, Oksana brings to her work a unique perspective and deep empathy. Her dedication drives her to provide unwavering support and advocacy for those navigating similar circumstances. Oksana firmly believes in the power of human connection and the significance of empowering others. As she continues working towards licensure, as a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) she commits herself to walk alongside her clients on their journey toward healing and self-discovery, ensuring they feel supported every step of the way.

Jessica Shaffer

Jessica received her Bachelor's degree in Psychology at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, and her Master's degree in Marriage and Family Counseling in 2016 from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. She is working on licensure at Mindful Healing Counseling Services to become an LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist). She has extensive experience working and advocating for children and families in foster care and adoption. Jessica provides family and individual therapy. She has an expansive background working with children and adolescents. She is well versed in treating all ages of individuals with substance abuse issues, panic disorders, depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, intermittent explosive disorder, and developmental disabilities. She utilizes a combination of Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Art therapy, Play therapy, Dialectal Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Holistic approach, Existential, and Reality Therapy to help her clients improve their lives.

Brian Smerdon

Brian is a Licensed Mental Health Clinician who utilizes evidence-based practices to navigate the complexities of mental health with his clients. Specializing in anxiety and stress management, he assists his clients in discovering the calm in the chaos and creating a healthier mind. Brian has many years of experience working with all age groups in clinics, schools, and clients' homes. Brian started his counseling career working with victims of trauma, substance abuse, PTSD, and sexual abuse. He specializes in Depression, Anxiety, Grief and Bereavement, and Marriage and Family Therapy.

Ashley Smith, LCSW Candidate

Ashley graduated from the University of Central with a bachelor's degree in psychology and has completed all her coursework for a Master's degree in Social Work from Campbellsville University. Upon completing her internship hours, she will graduate in December 2024. Ashley has a decade of experience and intimate knowledge in treating clients with substance use disorders. She has worked in multiple levels of care treating substance use disorders, including residential, outpatient, and intensive outpatient. She also enjoys working with families emphasizing parent-child interaction, development-centered parenting, and family well-being in their work with families.