Our Staff
Our highly trained clinical staff offers background experience, expertise and training in treating abuse, trauma and PTSD related symptoms. All therapists on staff are trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and many are trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). In addition to in person therapy all our therapists offer virtual sessions.
Mandarin Providers
Nichole DeMoya, MA, LMHC-QS, CATP
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Specialties
Developmental trauma
Single-incident traumas
Childhood abuse
Nichole DeMoya is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with over a decade of experience in the mental health field. Nichole is known for her warm yet direct clinical style and her strong leadership in trauma-informed care across the lifespan.
Nichole specializes in treating children, adolescents, and adults who have experienced complex trauma, including sexual abuse, neglect, family disruption, and high-conflict dynamics. Her clinical approach integrates evidence-based practices such as Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Polyvagal Theory, and somatic-based interventions. When working with children and teens, Nichole actively incorporates parents and caregivers as essential partners in the healing process, helping families build stronger emotional connections and communication skills.
In addition to therapy services, Nichole provides comprehensive ADHD assessments for both children and adults, utilizing a combination of clinical interviews, behavioral observations, and standardized psychometric tools to inform accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment planning.
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As a Qualified Supervisor, Nichole provides thoughtful, developmentally appropriate supervision for Registered Mental Health Counseling Interns and serves as a trusted site supervisor for master’s-level practicum and internship students from Jacksonville University, University of Florida, University of Central Florida, Capella University, and Liberty University. Her supervision approach emphasizes clinical skill-building, ethical decision-making, and professional identity development, all within a supportive and structured framework.
In her role as Clinical Director, Nichole oversees the training, development, and clinical excellence of a large team of trauma-informed therapists across multiple locations. She is committed to fostering a practice environment where both clients and clinicians can thrive.
Smokey
Therapy Dog In-Training
A lovable companion rescued from the streets of Savannah, Smokey joined our team in August 2019 alongside his handler, Nichole DeMoya. He has a natural ability to sense the needs of our clients and continues to be trained with the goal of ultimately being certified as a therapy dog.
Melissa Taylor, LMFT
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Specialties
Marriage & Family Therapy
Emotionally Focused Therapy
Trauma-Focused CBT
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Play Therapy
Melissa Taylor is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who works with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families navigating trauma, emotional and behavioral concerns, and relationship challenges. She has a particular interest in supporting parents struggling to connect with their children, couples caught in recurring conflict or emotional distance, and families experiencing separation, divorce, or strained parent–child relationships. Her clients often seek a deeper understanding of patterns that leave them feeling stuck and support in creating meaningful, lasting change.
Grounded in attachment, family systems, and trauma-informed care, Melissa looks beyond immediate symptoms to understand the experiences, emotions, and relationships shaping each client’s concerns. She integrates Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and play-based interventions, tailoring treatment to each person’s developmental needs and goals. Her work helps clients process painful experiences, navigate emotions, strengthen communication, and build greater security and connection.
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Melissa brings more than a decade of experience across private practice, community mental health, child welfare, therapeutic foster care, and court-involved settings, including work with high-conflict families and disrupted parent–child relationships. She earned her Master of Family Therapy from Mercer University School of Medicine and holds a Certificate of Play Therapy from Capella University. Her additional training emphasizes trauma treatment for children, adolescents, and families, attachment-focused EMDR, and complex trauma.
Warm, thoughtful, and direct, Melissa creates space for honest conversations, difficult emotions, and moments of playfulness. She balances compassion with gentle challenge, helping clients recognize patterns, build on their strengths, and translate insight into everyday changes. Whether working with an individual or a family, she aims to help clients feel understood while developing more intentional ways of responding to themselves and the people who matter most.
Kayla DiPaulo, MS, LMHC, CCTS-I
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Specialties
Anxiety, Autism
Kayla received her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Capella University in 2022. She has experience working in school, community-based, and residential treatment settings, supporting adolescents and adults with a variety of mental health concerns.
Kayla holds designations as an Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist and Certified Anxiety-Informed Professional and is currently working toward an additional designation in mindfulness. She enjoys helping clients strengthen their coping skills, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, navigate life transitions, and process experiences related to trauma and grief. Kayla utilizes various therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), while incorporating a person-centered approach into her work. Above all else, Kayla believes the therapeutic relationship is the foundation of effective therapy and prioritizes creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard and understood.
Outside of her work, Kayla enjoys spending time with her golden retriever and two cats, playing sports, and exploring Jacksonville.
Patricia Abely, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Patricia earned her Master’s and Specialist degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Florida. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who enjoys supporting children, adults, couples, and families. Patricia approaches therapy from a person-centered and attachment perspective and uses elements of Emotion-Focused Therapy in her work with individuals and couples. Additionally, she is trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy and uses this modality to assist clients as they work toward processing trauma, revising negative cognitions rooted in the past, and enhancing emotional regulation in the present. Patricia believes that it is an honor to help clients work toward their goals and to create a safe, collaborative space for growth and healing.
Outside of the therapy room, Patricia enjoys running and spending time outdoors, especially in the mountains of North Carolina and the beaches of Florida.
Hayleigh Haid, MS, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Specialties
Trauma-Focused CBT
Play Therapy
Hayleigh obtained her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Marriage & Family Therapy at Jacksonville University. Additionally, she completed a Graduate Certificate in Child-Centered Play Therapy. Hayleigh has demonstrated passion for working with our clients and has a naturally soothing presence. She enjoys working with both children and adults. Hayleigh is trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level 1, and Play Therapy. She sees therapy as a shared experience where clients are never alone in their mental health journey. She strives to integrate principles of trauma-informed care to ensure that her approach honors each client’s pace, resilience, and strengths. Together with her clients, she hopes to navigate the path to healing, focusing on building trust, developing safety, exploring challenges, uncovering strengths, and fostering pathways to growth.
Wendy Fortune, MS, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Specialties
Trauma-Focused CBT
Play Therapy
Wendy obtained her Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Jacksonville University. She also holds a Graduate Certificate in Child-Centered Play Therapy, enhancing her expertise in working with children and families facing various life stressors including, but not limited to, traumatic experiences, grief and stressful life transitions. Wendy’s joyful and kind demeanor has consistently helped clients of all ages feel comfortable and connected during the process of their therapeutic healing journey. She utilizes both a Strengths-Based and Person-Centered therapeutic approach, through a Trauma-Informed Systemic lens, to facilitate growth and empowerment within the individuals and families she serves. Utilizing an integrative approach ranging from Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Attachment Focused concepts and techniques, Wendy provides an authentic, empathetic and empowering presence to promote a safe and supportive environment to the clients and families she has the honor of working with.
Amanda Boyle
Registered Clinical Social Work Intern
Specialties
Trauma-Focused CBT
Amanda is a Registered Clinical Social Work Intern who received her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Central Florida. Amanda is a warm, empathetic therapist who creates a safe and welcoming space for clients to explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences while using a client-centered approach. She tailors her approach and therapeutic modalities based on each individual based on their needs and specific evidence-based practices. Amanda is trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT) and can also provide counseling from a Christian perspective for those who are interested.
Jamie Farhat, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Bio coming soon!
Lanni Brown, MS
Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
Bio coming soon!
Giovanna Ford, MS
Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
Bio coming soon!
Call to schedule your appointment
For first time patients we ask that you call the office to make an appointment. Our Care Coordinator is waiting to match you to one of our clinicians. We offer two convenient locations and all our therapists offer a telehealth option.