Counseling Staff
Alicia McCray, LMFT
CLINICAL DIRECTOR
Alicia McCray is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Florida. Born and raised in South Carolina, Alicia received her B.S. Degree in Psychology from Winthrop University in 2015. Alicia relocated to South Florida in 2016 to attend Nova Southeastern University where she received her M.S. Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Currently, Alicia is a PhD candidate in the Family Therapy program at Nova Southeastern University. As a Marriage and Family Therapist, Alicia has a passion for working with a diverse population of clients. Alicia’s extensive training throughout her educational and professional journey qualifies her as a reliable therapist for individual, couple, and family counseling. Her specialty is in working with children and adolescents/teens as she finds joy in assisting them as they navigate through the self-discovery stages of life. Alicia believes that a different therapy must be constructed for each client because each has a unique story. As a clinician, Alicia practices from a collaborative approach of therapeutic models to best meet the individual needs of each client, with specializations in Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Narrative, Cognitive Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, and Mindfulness techniques. Alicia believes that by working together therapeutically, we can build a relationship that will help you challenge yourself, improve your sense of identity and self-esteem, and face the obstacles in your life head-on. Through therapy, you will come to know yourself more deeply, opening new possibilities for change and growth. Alicia’s goal as a clinician is to embark on a new journey of change with each of her clients where they set the destination.
Dr. Franchesca Meyers
QUALITY ASSURANCE MANAGER
Franchesca Meyers is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Florida. After receiving her B.A. Degree in Psychology from Florida Atlantic University, Franchesca went on to obtain her M.S. Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Currently, Franchesca is a PhD candidate in the Family Therapy program at Nova Southeastern University.Franchesca’s training throughout her educational and professional journey has granted her the opportunity to work with diverse populations through various issues such as mental health diagnosis, grief/loss, trauma, depression, anxiety and self-esteem issues.The passion that Franchesca holds for the therapy and the mental health field is the understanding and realization that many situations in life attribute to the self-worth one holds. These circumstances have the ability to stain an individual’s personality, character and life if not addressed in the correct manner. Franchesca’s hope is that both, children and adults, realize that their situation does not define who they are, but that they have power based off of how they define their situation.Malcom Forbe stated, “Too many people undervalue what/who they are and overvalue what/who they’re not.” As a Marriage and Family Therapist, Franchesca believes that everyone has a life experience unique to them and being able to recognize and build on their strengths helps for a navigation through challenges. Through utilization of collaborative and a person-centered approach, Franchesca’s work with clients is geared to finding that insight from within while increasing self-esteem in order to challenge negative thoughts that hinders one from personal growth.
Dr. Anna Binder M.D.
PSYCHIATRIST
I am a board certified psychiatrist and an esteemed Diplomat of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and a Fellow of American Psychiatric Association. I am fully trained in Adult, Child and Adolescent, Geriatric, Emergency and Addiction Psychiatry. I received my general and adult psychiatry training at University of Maryland/ Sheppard Pratt and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry training from Johns Hopkins Medical Institution.
I was selected as a Top Psychiatrist in Stamford, CT by the International Association of Health Care Professionals (IAHCP) and spotlighted in the publication The Leading Physicians of the World 2014 Edition.
I am a Recipient of Roger Coleman Memorial Award Service to Patients for exemplary devotion to patients and commitment to quality care as evidenced by volunteer efforts in the Sandy Hook tragedy by Connecticut Psychiatric Society.
I have an extensive experience in Emergency Psychiatry providing crisis services and in treating a broad range of psychiatric and behavior disorders, including depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Schizophrenia, substance abuse, Autism, Asperger's disorder, developmental disorders and more.
I offer a thoughtful, comprehensive assessment to discuss and weigh out the role that medications could play to support your process of change. My goal is to provide the expert psychiatric care that will allow you to perform at your personal and professional best.
I offer an array of psychiatric services including medication management, individual therapy, family therapy, behavior planning for children and adolescents, and advocacy for children in need of specialized academic services. My practice specializes in the medication management of adults and children with mood, anxiety and attention disorders. I have special expertise in treating individuals who also have medical illnesses or who are pregnant/post-par-tum and in need of medication support as a component of their care. I work with individuals, couples, and families to address their relationship or career issues.
Darian Clark, LMHC CLINICAL SUPERVISOR
Darian Clark is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern in the state of Florida. She obtained her B.S. degree in Psychology with a minor in Coaching Education from James Madison University. She obtained her M.S. degree in Mental Health Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy from Barry University. Darian was born and raised in Ramsey, New Jersey and has lived in Southern Florida for 5 years. Darian has experience working with individuals, couples and families that struggle with eating disorders, substance use disorders, trauma, anxiety, and depression. Darian also has experience working with the LGBTQ+ community. Working through sexuality and gender related issues and have implemented and facilitated LGBTQ+ support groups. Darian uses evidenced based therapeutic interventions from modalities such as but not limited to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Strategic and Systemic Family Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy for trauma.
She identifies as a body positive clinician as well as committed to Health at Every Size (HAES). Darian believes in the power of building a positive therapeutic relationship and creating a safe space to empower her client’s resilience and growth.
Daniela Bigott, M.S. THERAPIST
Daniela Bigott is a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern in the state of Florida. She obtained her B.S. degree in Psychology with a minor in Behavioral Healthcare from the University of South Florida. She obtained her M.S. degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Florida. Daniela was born in Venezuela and raised in South Florida. She specializes in working with individuals, teens, young adults, couples & families. Her passion is in working with general anxiety, struggles with self-esteem and body image issues, expecting/ new parents and post-partum depression. She uses a combination of CBT, psychoeducation, mindfulness, art therapy, and systemic techniques. Daniela helps individuals who are struggling with not feeling in control of their own lives due to internal and external factors. She believes that there is great value in understanding the role we play in the world around us and how that has impacted how we think and function.
Stephanie Byer, LHMC THERAPIST
Stephanie Byer is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Florida and received her Masters of Arts degree in mental health counseling from the University of Central Florida.
Stephanie takes a holistic approach, aiming to treat the client as a whole. Her specialties include eating disorders, addictions, self-esteem, sibling abuse, and anxiety disorders. Her prior experiences include working with adolescents and adults at the residential and outpatient levels of care as well as children within an elementary school. She identifies as a body positive clinician as well as committed to Health at Every Size (HAES).
In session, she utilize therapeutic approaches including CBT, ACT, IFS, and expressive arts. She additionally has training in utilizing play therapy for children. She believes that people have the potential to accomplish amazing things through self-acceptance and reconnecting with parts of themselves that feel frightening, negative, or shameful.
Dr. Mert Yildiz, LMFT
THERAPIST
Mert Yildiz is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, MBA in the state of Florida. He attended Nova Southeastern University where he received his MBA and his PhD in Marriage and family therapy. With backgrounds in business, and Information Security, Mert switched careers to pursue his dream of helping people within the scope of mental health. Mert practices within the scope of Narrative Therapy and Collaborative therapy. Mert previously worked with children, adolescents, families, couples, and elderly in conjunction with ChildNET (foster care), judiciary system, and psychiatrists. Mert specializes in men’s issues, immigration issues, diversity, cultural adaptation, computer, video game, and technology dependencies.
Jackie Kaye, M.S.
THERAPIST
Jackie Kaye is a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern in the state of Florida. She received her Masters of Science degree in Psychology with a focus in Counseling at Nova Southeastern University. She was raised in South Florida and enjoys spending time outdoors. Jackie’s approach to therapy consists of building a strong therapeutic foundation with clients in order to assist them in successfully reaching their treatment goals through the promotion of individualized growth utilizing a collaborative approach. Jackie is experienced in working with children, teens, young adults, and families. She uses evidenced based treatment approaches such as, but not limited to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. Jackie is motivated to help and support each client and demonstrates empathy and understanding through skillful listening.
Kayla Perez, M.S. THERAPIST
Kayla Perez is a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern in the state of Florida. She obtained her B.S. in Psychology, and M.S. in Marriage and family therapy with a concentration in solution focused coaching at Nova Southeastern University. Her clinical experience includes working with clients from ages 4-65, with a variety of presenting problems including suicidal ideation, relational issues, anxiety, depression, familial conflict and more. Kayla has experience running therapy groups for children and adolescents who’ve experienced grief and loss, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and substance abuse. Kayla enjoys working with families, couples, children, and adolescents. Her goal in therapy is to provide a safe place for people to feel seen, heard, known, and loved. Kayla appreciates breaking down socially constructed ideologies and providing a platform for clients to re-write their story using Narrative Therapy. She uses Emotionally Focused Therapy to help clients identify their attachment styles and needs, and the patterns their attachment causes in their current relationships. It also equips clients to effectively communicate their feelings and needs, and validate the experiences of others. Kayla practices both Narrative Therapy and Emotionally Focused Therapy from a systemic view point. Meaning, she keeps in mind the client’s culture, religion, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, and all other factors that are important to her clients. On her free time, Kayla enjoys going to the gym, reading, volunteering at church, going to comedy shows, and spending time in nature.
Allison McMillan, LMFT THERAPIST
Allison McMillam is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Florida. She obtained her B.A. in Human Development & Family Studies at Michigan State University. Allison also earned her M.S. in Couple and Family Therapy at Nova Southeastern University. She is currently continuing her education to obtain her Ph.D. In Couple and Family Therapy. Allison is passionate about working with teens and adolescents struggling with the many challenges of navigating school, friendships and family. Allison has 10+ years of experience working with children, adolescents and teens in various settings such as schools, respite homes and daycares. Prior to this, Allison worked in the psychiatric unit of Broward hospital where she provided therapy to individuals in crisis. She also has experience working with individuals and couples in private practice. In her free time, Allison likes to listen to music, watch harry potter and spend time with friends and family.
Elisabeth Santilli, M.S.
THERAPIST
Elizabeth Santilli is a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern in the state of Florida. Elizabeth received her B.S. Degree in Psychology at FAU and received a Graduate Certificate for Contemporary Theory in Couple and Family Systems followed by a M.S. Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Capella University. Elizabeth has been trained in positive parenting and DBT interventions. Elizabeth prefers a collaboration approach with the goal in mind of building a strong therapeutic foundation with clients and providing support in successfully completing the intended goals. Her specialties include working with family systems, adolescents, depression, self-esteem, and addiction. Her prior experience include working with adolescents and adults from a variety of populations. Elizabeth utilizes therapeutic approaches including SFT, DBT, and strength based approaches in order to effectively build clients self esteem and assist within a time of mental health necessities. Elizabeth believes all clients have the ability within themselves to achieve perceived goals and as their therapist she is able to provide a safe environment, skills, and guidance to assist in the therapeutic collaboration process.
Dr. Kayleigh Sabo, LMFT THERAPIST
Dr. Kayleigh Sabo is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Florida. She attended Nova Southeastern University (NSU) where she received her MS in Family Therapy and her PhD in Couple and Family Therapy. She is now an adjunct faculty member at NSU and teaches in the Health and Wellness Coaching undergraduate program.. Her clinical experience includes working with adolescents and adults in individual, family, and group therapy along with working in the school setting with middle and high school students doing situational assessment and strength-based development. Kayleigh has worked with a range of presenting concerns, including family dynamics, substance use, self-improvement, and couples' issues. In addition to her master's degree and clinical work, Kayleigh is a certified RYT-200 yoga instructor and is planning on focusing her future dissertation on the incorporation of yoga in the mental health field. In her therapy, Kayleigh integrates elements of yoga--such as breathing techniques, journaling, and other mindfulness practices--to promote self-exploration, emotional regulation, and personal growth. Kayleigh's experience from both her therapy and yoga background lay her foundational belief that all human beings are connected, deserve kindness, and have the ability to change and grow. These beliefs further come through in her therapeutic orientation, as Kayleigh approaches therapy collaboratively with her clients and believe that they are the experts of their own experience. In combination with a strengths-based and collaborative perspective, Kayleigh integrates viewpoints and techniques from therapeutic modalities that she believes would best work with each client, including Experiential Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and MRI Brief Therapy.
Amanda Mohammed, M.S.
THERAPIST
Amanda Mohammed is a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern in Florida. She obtained her Associate's and Bachelor's in Psychology from COSTAATT, Trinidad and Tobago, then migrated to Florida, where she received her Master's at Lynn University. Amanda is the Graduate Student Representative and Board Member for the American Counseling Association, a division of the International Association for Trauma and Resiliency Counseling. Amanda enjoys working with a diverse population, including children, teens, adults, and families. She works with clients to build an understanding, collaborative relationship. She utilizes a range of therapeutic interventions to address the unique needs of her clients by pulling from a toolbox of modalities, including CBT, DBT, Narrative, Somatic, Experiential, and ACT. Her goal is to integrate a trauma-informed perspective to help clients who experienced life events that affected their holistic wellness. Amanda incorporates her love for dance, movies, music, soccer, and creative arts to allow clients an outlet to express themselves. Her passion for working in the mental health field led her to research, which included studies such as factors contributing to mental health stigma, competency in trauma-informed care among therapists, and the intersection of Autism Spectrum Disorder and identity. She interned at a residential inpatient treatment center, working with dual-diagnosis and personality disorders, including Borderline, Antisocial, Narcissistic, and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorders.
Alexandra Pestano, M.S. THERAPIST
Alexandra Pestano is a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern in the State of Florida. She obtained her Bachelors of Art in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice from Florida International University. She obtained her Masters of Science degree in Counseling from Nova Southeastern University. Growing up bilingual, Alexandra was born and raised in Florida, where she proudly embraces her Cuban heritage. Beyond the therapeutic realm, Alexandra enjoys dancing and watching films. Her clinical experience includes working with children and adolescents struggling with mental health and substance use in individual, family, and group settings. Alexandra believes in empowering clients to attain their personal goals by providing unconditional positive regard, empathic understanding and a nonjudgmental space. She emphasizes the importance of honoring clients’ autonomy and collaboratively setting treatment goals.
Deborah Faria, M.S.
THERAPIST
Deborah is a Registered Marriage & Family Therapist Intern in the state of Florida. Deborah loves working with couples and individuals surrounding intimate and family relationships. She holds a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from Nova Southeastern. Deborah is also a registered yoga teacher and partner dance instructor. She loves exploring cultural and ancestral trauma with clients and lives and works between her Brazilian-American multicultural background. She practices a holistic and developmental approach to therapy, incorporating body, heart, mind, relationships, and soul, and she believes therapy is about growth and expansion!
Charisma Dougherty, M.S. THERAPIST
Charisma Dougherty is a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern in the state of Florida. Charisma holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Liberty University and a Master's in Counseling from Nova Southeastern University. As a mother of teens and an educator of psychology at both the high school and collegiate levels, she brings a wealth of personal and professional experience to her therapeutic interventions. She is passionate about empowering clients to overcome life's challenges through a holistic and relational approach to therapy, addressing their physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. Charisma has extensive expertise in treating anxiety, depression, addiction, and trauma. She specializes in working with young adults, at-risk youth, and families. Charisma is also experienced in navigating LGBTQIA+ religious and cultural conflicts, offering compassionate support to those facing complex identity-related challenges.
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
Our counseling office is open every day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Our business office is open M-F, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.