Find a therapist, counselor or psychologist in Jacksonville, FL (Fairfax)

"Creating an environment filled with empathy, collaboration, unconditional positive regard, and communication is vital to success in therapy. As a licensed therapist in the state of Florida, I take pride in my work with clients and in building strong therapeutic relationships that allow us to grow together toward reaching stated goals."

Hallie is a Licensed Therapist in the state of Florida and operates from a strengths-based approach, utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, and motivational interviewing, amongst other evidence-based practices. She specializes in treating anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, coping with life changes, and individuals with relationship issues.

Hallie completed her Master of Mental Health Counseling at Florida State University. Through her clinical experiences there, as well as at the University of Florida where she received her undergraduate degree in psychology, Hallie has ample experience navigating the stressors of life. This, along with her other professional experiences, enables her to provide both guidance and support to her clients.

Hallie believes each person has their own unique story and she looks forward to hearing yours and working together!

"As a first-generation Indian-American, I understand the complicated overlap between identity exploration and mental health stigma. "

Pooja Vala is a licensed mental health counselor with 6 years of experience in the mental health field. She has experience working with individuals, couples, and families of all ages and backgrounds experiencing depression, anxiety, marital stress, life transitions, history of trauma, and more. She completed her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of North Florida. She has the unique experience of being raised in a strict Indian household while also growing up in a small Florida town. This, coupled with her professional experience, allows her to provide the support, guidance, and empathy her clients need.

Pooja is open about her life story in the hopes that it provides her clients with the safety and comfort to be open about their own stories. She utilizes multiple approaches to psychotherapy, including person-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and mindfulness.

It is totally normal to experience struggles in our everyday lives. Sometimes it's routine stressors, sometimes it’s the people in our lives, and sometimes it's the result of trauma. Whatever it is, Pooja will sit with you on your journey of personal growth to overall happiness. If you are willing and ready, schedule an appointment with Pooja today!

"I want everybody I work with to succeed based on the goals that they define and I want them to be comfortable with the process and treated with respect."

Joe Mella is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who has worked with clients in crisis and in community behavioral health for over 25 years. Joe has mainly focused on children with all types of needs but is very comfortable with adults and families as well. During his time as an LCSW he has encountered the most challenged populations and has helped families in crisis situations. Joe has also been a supervisor, developer, and trainer to other clinicians and professionals that address behavioral health including teachers, police officers, and school board employees. 

Joe completed his Master of Social Work at Florida State University. He has worked in community mental health as well as with the school system, foster care, and courts, and has specialized in suicide prevention for Duval County's Mobile Response Team. Joe has branched out his expertise by working with parents and treating adults. He has had to be flexible and mindful in the therapeutic interventions he provides due to each client and family's individual needs. 

Wherever you want to go in your journey, Joe is ready to assist you and be a great support, listener, and provide guidance to your specific needs and your strengths.

"I am passionate about working with anyone who is considering making a change in their life."

Alissa Myatt is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who has years of experience working with children, youth, young adults, individuals, couples, and families. She specializes in treating grief, bereavement, substance use, anxiety, depression, and much more.

Alissa has a Master's degree in Social Work, and in sessions, she uses a cognitive behavioral approach to help her clients. She believes that we can all benefit from perspective taking from time to time in order to look at our life situations more objectively.

Alissa's immediate goal is rooted in a "strengths-based" approach and she brings integrity, compassion, humor, and wisdom to each interaction. She hopes to hear from you and encourages you to reach out to schedule a session today.

Dr. Michael Petrosky Flores, EdD., LMHC is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of Florida. He is an accomplished, multi-faceted clinician with expertise in crisis intervention, various psychotherapeutic modalities for the overall wellness of those with mental health conditions and an extensive background working with diverse client populations within the mental health and substance abuse fields. Dr. Michael Petrosky Flores’s educational accomplishments include holding a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) Counselor Education & Supervision from Argosy University in Sarasota, Florida as well as a Master of Arts (M.A.) Mental Health Counseling, from Argosy University, & a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology from Saint Leo University. He is also a Certified Mental Health Integrative Medicine Provider & a State of Florida Qualified Supervisor (Registered Mental Health Counseling Interns). Dr. Michael Petrosky Flores’s clinical passion is the following: Intrigued by what drives human behavior and how it either helps or hinders the individual. Dr. Michael Petrosky Flores witnessed my grandmother’s subsequent mental decline from Alzheimer disease and felt so powerless to assist her. This event created the desire in him to learn more about the brain’s function and the interplay between thoughts and emotions, leading him to pursue personal & educational imperative to complete his doctoral studies and subsequently apply all he has learned to assist as many people as possible. Dr. Petrosky Flores provides clients with a warm, welcoming, supportive and nonjudgmental therapeutic environment. Dr. Michael Petrosky Flores utilizes a cognitive behavioral therapy approach to help clients identify cognitive distortions, such as all-or-nothing thinking (splitting), magical thinking, over-generalization, magnification, and emotional reasoning and journal therapy and exercises and prompts to bring about awareness and improve mental health conditions as a result of inner and outer conflicts. He also uses solution focused, personal centered and emotionally focused approaches as well. Dr. Michael Petrosky Flores enjoys working with individuals, couples and families and strives to assist them with their needs. Dr. Michael Petrosky Flores has expertise in crisis intervention, cognitive behavioral therapy and other psychotherapeutic modalities.” He has worked with adults, couples, families and children throughout his career. Dr. Michael Petrosky Flores enjoys working with all client populations. A dedicated mental health professional with 20 years of experience who encourages others to reach out in order to assist them with their mental health and emotional wellness goals. 

"As an understanding, compassionate therapist, I believe people feel, think, and do what they do for very good reasons and once we identify those, we can use those good reasons to work together to make things better."

Melanie is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with over 17 years of experience in the mental health field. She is energized by helping adolescents, adults, and couples find happiness and satisfaction in their lives by discovering the goodness in their intentions that still might be challenging their day-to-day lives. Melanie helps clients heal from depression, anxiety, relationship issues, and life transitions.

Melanie earned her Master's degree in Counseling at the University of Vermont. Combining her real-life, common-sense experience with evidence-based clinical treatment approaches, Melanie is able to empathize and support her clients with warmth and compassion. Melanie uses eclectic treatment approaches, including cognitive behavioral (CBT), person-centered, dialectical behavior (DBT), and solution-focused therapy.

We all grow and change throughout our lives, whether we want to or not. It isn't always easy and there isn't an instruction manual. Melanie has the skills to support you in gaining new perspectives and insight into your personal struggles. If you are ready to do the work, she will equip you with the skills you need to cope and thrive. Appointments are available; schedule today.

"As a person who has made it to the other side of traumatic life events, I understand the different emotions that come from feeling overwhelmed, angry, and alone."

Ashleigh Mack is a registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern. She has experience treating couples, families, and individuals with anxiety, depression, self-esteem, grief, trauma, spiritual abuse, pregnancy, postpartum, life transitions, relationships, and behavioral concerns. Ashleigh earned her Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of Capella. She’s been married 11 years and is a mother of 3. As a child of teen pregnancy, events in her life as well as her education have given her an understanding of various backgrounds. She knows what it is to come from nothing and, at times, feel like nothing.

Ashleigh gravitates toward a more systemic approach and utilizes different methods and models that are client-centered, such as intergenerational family therapy, solution-focused therapy, narrative therapy, mindfulness, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Life can be all over the place and messy. Sometimes we just need someone to be our soundboard and help us dissect our stuff. Ashleigh would like to provide that space for you, giving you room to discover the deeper parts of your journey and tools to utilize when discovery becomes overwhelming. If you are ready, schedule an appointment with her today!