Find the provider that best suits your needs
Our team
Kate Lombardo, Owner, Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Kate graduated in 2016 from Palm Beach Atlantic University with her Master’s in Counselor Education with an emphasis in mental health counseling. She is a licensed mental health counselor and the owner of Transformative Counseling and Wellness. She has worked with those from many walks of life and is passionate about providing a safe environment for every person to share their story, believing that this space is sacred. Kate sees patients from all backgrounds, belief systems, and orientations and believes we all have the power to choose how we want to live. She is a certified trauma therapist, an Accelerated Resolution Therapist (ART), and provides DBT-informed therapy. Kate’s work with patients is focused on integrating all parts of your story, so that not only will you find wholeness, but also transformation. Having firefighters in her family has inspired Kate to work with first responders, including firefighters/EMS, 9-11 operators, and law enforcement. She completed a Clinician Awareness Training provided by the Florida Firefighter Health and Safety Collaborative and works with local fire departments to ensure care is accessible and timely. Finally, as a mom of a child with Type 1 Diabetes, Kate offers a unique counseling perspective to individuals and families as they work on navigating the ever-changing terrain of Type 1. At home, Kate has been married for 12 years and is a mom to a 9 and 6 year old who she cherishes being with. She lives a simple life with her family where she places a large emphasis on being present and doing her own mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical work so she can be fully present with her patients.
Stephanie Gutierrez, Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Stephanie Gutierrez is a graduate of Palm Beach Atlantic University, with her Master’s Degree in Counselor Education – Mental Health. She received her undergraduate degree in Religious and Cultural Studies from the University of Central Florida. As a First-Generation American she understands the challenges that come with assimilating into a new culture. She enjoys working with individuals from a variety of cultural backgrounds to partner with them and their communities for a holistic healing experience. With a counseling style that is considered active and engaging, Stephanie strives to create a safe space in counseling for people to process their pain. She enters each session with a compassionate and empathetic spirit as therapy becomes the method used for healing. Stephanie’s areas of expertise include individuals struggling with anxiety and depression, adolescents/teens, LGBTQA+, couples in traditional and non-traditional relationships, co-dependency/attachment concerns, and personal growth. Stephanie is a trained EMDR (Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapist which qualifies her to help clients process through trauma and ongoing stressors they face in day to day life. Stephanie has additional training/certifications in Trauma Competency, Adoption Competency and LGBTQA+ Competency.
To find out more about working with Stephanie please visit her website at www.counselingwithsteph.com
Brianna Kegelman, Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Brianna Kegelman, M.A., LMHC, (she/her) is a first generation graduate from University of Central Florida, from where she achieved her Undergraduate Degree in Psychology with a Minor in Exceptional Education, and her Master’s Degree in Counselor Education- Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Brianna has experience working with many different individuals and families of differing cultural backgrounds. She has provided counseling services in clinics for adults and college students, elementary schools and a residential facility for adolescents. Brianna works primarily with individuals, children, adolescents, families, college students and the LGBTQ+ community. She has experience and enjoys working with issues such as anxiety, relational issues, self esteem, depression, mood disorders, autism spectrum disorder, gender and sexuality issues, grief, trauma, schizophrenia and individuals adjusting to college.Alongside her counseling experience, Brianna is not new to the field of mental health. She has been in the mental health field for 11 years working with the not-for-profit National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Brianna has been a volunteer for NAMI and Zebra Coalition for many years, while also running support groups and teams. She has a love for advocacy and breaking down the stigma behind mental illness, and enjoys bringing this accepting spirit into her counseling style in order to create an open and safe place for individuals to come to. Brianna brings into the counseling space a dynamic and eclectic style that focuses on each individual client being unique in their own way. Brianna consistently aims and believes to make the counseling space an accepting and safe place that provides compassion and honesty. Brianna believes in focusing on Progress rather than Perfection. She helps facilitate self growth and awareness through the client while utilizing a variety of therapy techniques and approaches. Her goal is to make therapy just a little less scary for individuals. Looking into services can be very overwhelming, whether it is your first time or you're familiar with the process. You may think, is this really for me? Do I really need this? She is here to tell you that you are not alone in this journey. Brianna believes therapy is for anyone and everyone, whether you are going through a crisis or not, just having someone unbiased to talk to can help. You have to find the right fit and she hopes she can be that for you, but if not would love to provide you with other resources. “Mental Health is something everyone has, and it deserves to be talked about openly and in a non-judgmental space.”
JoAnn Griffin, Licensed Mental Health Counselor
JoAnn Griffin received her Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education and received a credential as a "Child Development Expert." She received her Bachelor's Degree in Family and Consumer Science and is a "Certified Family Life Educator." She completed her Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling and is currently a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Based on her clinical experience, she believes there is no "One size fits all" solution to human struggles. She tailors her treatment based on the current needs of the client. She has completed internships at the Sanford Child Advocacy Center and Faith Professional Counseling center in Orlando. She has extensive experience with children, adolescents and adults. Based on these experiences, JoAnn is prepared to work with all age groups with individual or relationship issues. She is trained in providing Gottman Therapy, which is a highly structured and evidenced based couples therapy. "I believe every individual has the capacity to overcome struggles. Sometimes people need a caring person, a listening ear, and compassionate guidance with life's issues. I will strive to help each person with whom I work, keeping his or her best interests at heart." JoAnn has been married for 36 years and has 3 adult children and 4 grandchildren.
Dr. Laura Casey, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Dr. Laura Casey a Board Certified Mental-Health Nurse Practitioner and a Certified Integrative Mental-Health provider based in Florida. She graduated with her Doctorate of nursing practice degree in 2016 from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. She works primarily with adults, with an expertise in treating depression, anxiety, and OCD. Additionally, she has professional and personal experience working with and caring for neurodivergent individuals. She has been working in the field of psychiatry for 11 years. Laura offers a patient-centered, holistic approach to psychiatry, taking into account the person’s mind, body, soul, and community. She utilizes evidence-based approaches in her practice, using traditional psychiatric medications, as well as non-pharmacological or complementary treatment modalities. Laura offers a safe, non-judgmental place for patients to be themselves and receive the support they need.
Jason Darnell, Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
Does life feel like a series of problems? At times, we may feel exhausted, disempowered, stuck, and unfulfilled by the sense that we are constrained and consumed by challenges like depression, anxiety, interpersonal conflict, chronic illness, life transitions, work stress, and uncertainty about our life's purpose. Jason believes his role as a registered clinical mental health counselor intern is to help clients face these difficulties skillfully, creatively, and meaningfully, helping them achieve happiness.
As a person who has worked in many different industries, Jason understands the everyday life struggles that you may be facing. His educational background includes a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Liberty University), an M.B.A. (Master in Business), and a B.A. in Hospitality and Culinary Management. He has worked in law enforcement, the hospitality industry, small businesses, and even global companies. He brings his clients' world-life experiences, a Christian worldview, and educational resources.
In addition, Jason is also a certified SYMBIS (Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts) assessment facilitator and enjoys working with couples. He and his wife have been together for nearly twenty years and have two children in elementary school. He enjoys working with pre-teens to adults to aid in their journey to happiness. “Humans are unique creatures with specific needs, even though we share many traits and experiences.” To assist you in achieving your objectives, Jason pledges to meet you where you are in your journey and walk by your side as a guide. “I'm here to give you a place where you can be who you indeed are, express yourself freely, and experience being seen, heard, and supported. You will grow in self-awareness, acquire symptom-relieving techniques, and cultivate self-compassion”.
Jason’s therapeutic approaches include DBT, CBT, and Person-Centered therapy.
Stacy Perin, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Stacy is an LCSW with both a BSW and MSW from the University of Central Florida and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Florida. She takes a trauma-informed, holistic, integrative approach that draws from using a variety of evidence-based treatment models. Her methods emphasize person-centered care and are adapted to best suit the individual needs of her clients. Stacy has extensive experience working with children and adults from a variety of backgrounds and she has a passion for empowering individuals through therapy. She believes that everyone can benefit from therapy, and that mental health is an essential component to overall health. Areas of her work with clients include anxiety, depression, coaching, partner/marriage and family relationship issues, autism, and school-based challenges. The mind-body connection is a focus in her work with individuals who are navigating various mental health related issues and life transitions.
Prior to returning to her home state of Florida, Stacy was a member of the Governor’s Council on Behavioral Health Prevention Advisory Committee (PAC) in Rhode Island. She has run therapeutic school programs in Rhode Island for students with complex mental health needs and students in recovery. She has also conducted numerous training courses and webinars for educators in New England on topics that included Self-Care, Stress Management, the Societal Impact of the Covid Pandemic, and Behavior Management. Most recently, Stacy created a therapeutic counseling program for underserved children and families in Central Florida.
Stacy is married and has a blended family that includes two children and two stepchildren. She enjoys weight training, yoga, cooking, and training her two therapy dogs. Making sure that she “practices what she preaches” with her own self-care is a means for Stacy to provide the best possible care for her clients.
Ileana Machuca, Psychologist, Yoga Teacher, Mindful Body Coach
Ileana earned her Psychologist degree from the Santo Tomás de Aquino University in Bogotá, Colombia in 2001. She completed a professional internship in Clinical Child Psychology at “Centro Colombiano de Hipoterapia” (Colombian Hippotherapy Center), and her thesis was on neuropsychological research of children undergoing Equine Assisted Therapy. In 2010, Ileana received a diploma in "Public Policy of Childhood and Adolescents" from the National University of Colombia. She also has been certified as an Instructor in "Psychocorporal Techniques for Human Development" (2015-2018) through the “Sistema Río Abierto” (Open River System) from Argentina.
Ileana has been a dancer and yoga instructor for over 20 years. Throughout her career as a psychologist, this experience allowed her to integrate mental health therapies with body awareness work, which has led to her personal transformation into a more empathic and compassionate person. She facilitates trust spaces for people to feel and express emotions with the intention to create a holistic healing experience, integrating tools as needed like: dance, meditation, music, yoga, sound baths (bowls), plastic arts, energetic massage and mindful movement. She consistently tries to integrate the benefits of holistic wellness by connecting with nature through outdoor activities like: gardening, hiking, caring animals, kayaking, biking, rock climbing, riding horses, etc.
She served as a counselor and technical consultant on projects aimed at protecting human rights, especially with children, teenagers and women (all ages); applying tools for prevention of gender-based violence, psychological treatment, psychosocial networks for mental health care and general tools for conflict resolution and peace building. She gained extensive experience counseling people from communities with diverse ethnicity and indigenous populations, especially victims of sexual violence, post-traumatic stress, anxiety and depression. She contributed to multiple United Nations projects for the development of tools for community mental health care and the protection of human rights.
Kayla Eouse, MS, Yoga Teacher
Kayla is a certified yoga instructor and has been dedicated to her own practice for 8 years. With a trauma informed background, she aspires to create a safe place for students to land on their mats and find peace in the chaos of everyday life. Kayla’s ultimate goal as a teacher is to facilitate personal growth and a mindful worldview so each student can take their practice off the mat!
Through her teacher certification, I completed trainings in yoga philosophy, yoga postures, hands on adjustments, pre-natal and postpartum practice, and trauma informed somatic yoga.
In Kayla’s class, you’ll focus on matching breath to movement, staying in the present moment, and challenging your mindset and any negative self-talk while building strength and confidence. With the individualized approach, each practice will meet the student’s needs and cater to your personal yoga, movement, and mindfulness goals.