While working full time and raising a family, Scotty completed a Bachelors in Psychology and then attended Reformed Theological Seminary to complete an MA in Counseling. After years of working with couples almost exclusively, Scotty is now widening his focus to work with problematic sexual behavior and sexual addiction.

While working full time and raising a family, Scotty completed a Bachelors in Psychology and then... Read More

As a pensive and reflective counselor, Tim desires to create a safe environment where light is allowed to permeate the known and unknown shadows of our secrets and story that we all would prefer remain hidden. He believes that healthy people move honestly toward two things: truth and relationships. He loves to help people who are hurting or stuck find the courage to pursue their own health. He has extended training and experience working with clients dealing with issues of sexual/pornography addiction, mood disorders, burnout, and other spiritual or existential crises. He draws from his extensive experience to connect with clients and help them move toward places of greater freedom.

As a pensive and reflective counselor, Tim desires to create a safe environment where light is al... Read More

Through a relational and client-centered approach, Jennie seeks to create a safe environment for her clients, leaning on trust and the wisdom of the mind, body, and spirit as a pathway to healing and living free. She believes that what clients bring to the process is just as important as her own training and experiences. Her work has centered around providing soul care to individuals suffering from relational trauma, chronic illness, and those burdened by unwanted sexual struggles.

Through a relational and client-centered approach, Jennie seeks to create a safe environment for ... Read More

Samantha works out of a trauma-informed and emotionally-focused approach to counseling. She believes that restoration comes from engaging your past in order to bring understanding and healing to your present. Samantha has worked with a variety of clients ranging in ages from early adolescence to later adults, helping them work through multi-variate problems such as depression, anxiety, grief, career counseling, sexual trauma, self-esteem, relationship issues, financial stress, family of origin, and social justice advocacy.

Samantha works out of a trauma-informed and emotionally-focused approach to counseling. She belie... Read More

Sarah is trained in EMDR (Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) which helps clients work through everything from daily stressors to significant trauma. She enjoys working with those who have lost a part of themselves, their voice, and don’t know their next steps towards change. She can help those connect with their spirituality in the aftermath of spiritual abuse. As a licensed Florida educator, she also brings over 20 years of experience working with children and is dedicated to supporting families who are struggling. Sarah utilizes play therapy from an attachment style approach to help children express their inner world.

Sarah is trained in EMDR (Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) which helps clients work... Read More

Parker received his MA in counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary. He has experience working with adolescents, families, adults, and couples from a wide array of backgrounds, ranging from high school students in the Bronx to juvenile sex offenders at a group home in Massachusetts to distressed families throughout Orlando. He does counseling work in both Spanish and English, and has a sensitivity for the particular way culture shapes our identity.

Parker received his MA in counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary. He has experience workin... Read More

Jim was on the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ for 28 years before he founded Charis Counseling Center in 1999. Jim and his wife Renee were speakers with FamilyLife’s “Weekend to Remember” for 19 years focusing on the topics of marriage, parenting, and remarriage. He is the author of The Upside Down Marriage, which addresses all aspects of married life in a unique and practical manner.

Jim has two graduate degrees from Springfield College in marriage and family therapy and is a licensed mental health counselor in the state of Florida. His focus is marriage and family therapy and he also offers a wide spectrum of individual counseling. He has served as a teaching pastor at Summit Church for the past decade. Jim and Renee have been married for 45 years and have two children and five grandchildren.

Jim was on the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ for 28 years before he founded Charis Counselin... Read More

Kathy comes to Charis Counseling Center with a passion for helping clients discover that it’s never too late (or too early) to walk through life with more freedom. She wants people to be able to authentically know themselves, so that they have more freedom from common issues that can impact core relationships; such as self-doubt, low self-esteem, shame, anxiety, and depression. When we can look at the story of our lives with a trusted companion, we can discover a pathway of restoration. It can be hard, but the rewards of this work are so worth it.

Kathy comes to Charis Counseling Center with a passion for helping clients discover that it’s nev... Read More

Ashley is passionate about working with individuals, couples, and families and believes everyone deserves a safe and empathetic place to walk through their journey. She approaches counseling through Emotion Focused Therapy so the couple or individual can explore their inner world, experience healing, gain a deeper understanding of who they are and what they need. Through this they can also begin to navigate relationships in a more productive, healthy way.

Ashley is passionate about working with individuals, couples, and families and believes everyone ... Read More

Melanie has worked in the mental health field for over 15 years, beginning as a mental health technician, and then as a psychiatric nurse before becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner. She holds a Master of Science in nursing degree from Western Kentucky University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Indiana University Southeast.

Melanie has worked in the mental health field for over 15 years, beginning as a mental health tec... Read More

Michelle received her Graduate degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Central Florida. Michelle feels, at our core, we all have the need to be heard and seen. Through her own therapy, she learned how grace can transform pain and heal trauma. Working through her own past helped her to see that she was living in a place of fear, instead of grace, thus solidifying her desire to help others walk through the healing process.

Michelle received her Graduate degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Central ... Read More

In her counseling practice, Jennifer establishes a safe, warm, and empathetic environment. She works with clients dealing with relational distress, cultural and cross-cultural issues, trauma, abuse, ministry work, life transitions, burnout, grief/loss, and more. She is particularly passionate about empowering people of color and those in multicultural and marginalized communities

In her counseling practice, Jennifer establishes a safe, warm, and empathetic environment. She wo... Read More

Carolyn is a licensed marriage and family therapist who worked for many years as a family therapist in a chemical dependency agency where she focused on family issues. She is also licensed as a Chemical Dependency Counselor. In her training she gained experience in treating a large variety of conditions including: mental health issues, brain injury, fetal alcohol, and personal areas including life direction, goal setting, self-esteem and life scripting. Because of her years of work, she has gained expertise in a variety of addictions, substance abuse, codependency, trauma, sexual abuse and anxiety and depression. Recently, she added EMDR to her skill base.

Carolyn is a licensed marriage and family therapist who worked for many years as a family therapi... Read More

With a background in pastoral ministry, Trevor has over 12 years of counseling experience, working specifically with children, teens, young adults, and parents. As someone who has been through counseling himself, Trevor knows firsthand how intimidating the idea of counseling can be. Trevor’s approach is personable and down-to-earth. His goal is to disarm the stigmas and hesitations people often feel toward counseling and help his clients feel comfortable and cared for on a personal level.

With a background in pastoral ministry, Trevor has over 12 years of counseling experience, workin... Read More

Upon returning to school to complete her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling, Jenna became more passionate about helping clients explore their inner world. She believes acceptance, empathy, and trust are foundational to the healing process. Through personal and professional experiences, Jenna understands the importance of acknowledging the unique cultural identity of her clients. She desires to help individuals increase awareness, freedom, and self-direction using a creative, client-centered approach to counseling. Jenna integrates relational and emotion-focused theory into sessions with children, adolescents, adults, and families dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship distress, trauma, and other issues.

Upon returning to school to complete her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling, Jenna becam... Read More

Scott enjoyed a fast-paced career as a youth pastor for over 20 years before he founded FreshStart Church in Tampa Florida where he has been the lead pastor since 1999. Scott has spoken nationally and internationally and published several articles on adolescent issues. He currently teaches marriage and family counseling and adolescent counseling courses at Trinity College. Scott is a national trainer for Prepare/Enrich, the world’s leading pre-marital and marital inventory. Scott is a licensed mental health counselor in the state of Florida with over 25 years of counseling experience. He is also a certified family mediator with the Supreme Court of Florida and a qualified parent coordinator.

Scott enjoyed a fast-paced career as a youth pastor for over 20 years before he founded FreshStar... Read More

Emily aims to create space for her clients to feel safe, encouraged, challenged, and free to work toward holistic healing. Through her own experience in counseling and in counseling others, Emily believes that our struggles are the very things that lead us to restoration and wholeness. Emily views her role as a counselor as a privilege and would be honored to walk with you in your journey.

Emily aims to create space for her clients to feel safe, encouraged, challenged, and free to work... Read More

With a professional background in marketing, translation and acting, Augusto is a firm believer in the power of communication. In the counseling room, one of his passions is to help people connect with their heart so they can understand themselves better and communicate in a more effective way. Augusto offers counseling services in English, Portuguese and Spanish.

With a professional background in marketing, translation and acting, Augusto is a firm believer i... Read More