Jiles Walker, MA
Jiles Walker, holds a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Argosy University. As a therapist, he uses an eclectic therapeutic approach which focuses on helping clients make better choices so they can live a quality life complete with well-connected relationships.
Jiles is able to quickly build rapport with his clients by meeting them where they are which is beneficial in helping them meet their goals. He accepts the responsibility of helping clients find healthier ways to fulfill their needs. This is accomplished by evaluating maladaptive behaviors, making plans for change, and working towards healthy goals.
Jiles is passionate about helping couples, individuals, and families experience successes and build on perceived failures. We all experience rough days, and it is healthy to acknowledge anger, frustration, and hurt. When working with Jiles, clients learn to make peace with the past while learning coping skills designed to meet their needs and enhance overall functioning.
Jiles is experienced in working with pre-adolescent through older adults. He is experienced and skilled in teaching communication and coping skills to improve self-esteem, self-worth, relationships, and conflict resolution.
Jiles is a registered mental health intern working towards licensure in the state of Florida His specialties include: Addiction/Substance Use, Anger Management, Anxiety/Depression, Codependency, Self Esteem, Sexual Identity, Stress management, Impulse Control Disorders, Mood Disorders and Thinking Disorders.
Jiles can be contacted at: [email protected].
Niki Lopez, MA
Niki Lopez, holds a master’s degree in Human Services from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Her pursuit towards helping people professionally began after her husband died unexpectedly and she attended equine assisted grief therapy. The almost 2 years she spent with her grief therapist ignited a passion to help others through their grief. After opening a private practice in Oregon, Niki expanded her client base to include clients from all walks of life. She has a therapy horse named ‘Big Red’ she uses with some of her clients and enjoys that modality very much.
Niki provides a warm and welcoming environment in therapy where she is able to build rapport and foster relationships with her clients. It is important for Niki to help clients feel safe in therapy and she accomplishes this by listening and being genuinely concerned for their well-being. She helps clients identify their struggles and their underlying causes and together they make a plan and set goals to effect growth and change.
Niki has experience with clients from pre-adolescent through older adults. She enjoys couples therapy and helping clients learn new ways of communicating more effectively to improve their relationships. Niki offers pre-marital sessions as well where engaged couples learn the skills, they will need to navigate a happy and healthy life together.
Niki specializes in couples, trauma, depression, anxiety, life changes and transitions, conflict resolution, codependency, life coaching, equine assisted therapy, she utilizes CBT, person centered therapy, talk therapy, equine assisted therapy, play and art therapies, and solutions focused counseling techniques among others.
In her free time Niki enjoys spending time with family and friends, riding Big Red, SCUBA diving, kayaking, and enjoying the Florida sunshine.
Niki can be contacted at: [email protected].
Andrea Anderson, MA
Andrea Anderson, holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Denver. She is a combat veteran, serving 12 years in the Air Force. During a deployment, she became interested in working in psychology after seeing how the reintegration, both after deployment and after service, had adverse effects on service members and their family members.
Andrea uses a strength-based approach in her work with adults and adolescents to build on inherent skills, while fostering positive mindsets, positive self-talk, and growth. She enjoys working with individuals and couples on communication styles, setting healthy boundaries, and reconnecting with themselves and one another. Andrea is a collaborative, solution-focused therapist who has been described as easy-going, understanding, and motivating as she challenges clients to be their change.
Andrea prides herself on offering a multiculturally sensitive and accepting therapeutic environment where her clients can freely explore different sides of themselves. She can quickly build rapport leading to a solid therapeutic alliance with clients by creating a collaborative environment where the client is a part of the team. Andrea’s top priority is providing a space where clients feel safe in their vulnerability.
Andrea understands that therapy is not a one size fits all, and everyone’s mental health journey is unique unto them. Therapy is about working together and finding the best approach for the individual to make progress in their lives and feel in control again. Together therapist and client(s) cultivate the tools needed to overcome personal struggles and strengthen mental fortitude.
Andrea is a registered mental health intern working towards licensure in Florida. Her specialties include ADHD, Adolescent issues, Anger Management, Anxiety/Depression, Eating Disorders, Impulse Control Disorders, LGBTQIA issues, Mood Disorders, PTSD, Relational Issues, Self Esteem, Self-Harm, Stress management, and Suicidal thoughts.
Andrea can be contacted at: [email protected].
Denise Brown, MS, CPLC
Denise Brown, has over 25 years experience as a Clinical Mental Health and Substance Abuse therapist in Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York, and Florida. She is a Certified Professional Life Transformational Coach and Motivational Speaker in Broward County, Florida. She obtained her bachelor’s degree from William Paterson University in NJ and her Master’s in Clinical Counseling from Lincoln University in PA.
She was instrumental in helping children, parents, and school officials heal after the horrific school shooting at Stoneman Douglas School in Parkland, Florida. Denise employed crisis intervention strategies and grief counseling to help those connected to the incident learn to cope with their grief and live more fulfilling lives. She has experience treating victims of domestic violence, individuals and families impacted by substance abuse and those struggling with chronic mental health concerns like anxiety, depression, and mood disorders.
She enjoys working with couples, by teaching communication strategies and methods to help rebuild trust. Denise is described as an interactive and solution focused therapist who is compassionate, easy to talk to and she teaches her clients how to effectively deal and cope with their challenges and life stressors.
Her areas of expertise are couple relationships, self-esteem building, motivating and educated with LGBTQIA community.
Denise can be contacted at [email protected].
Ashley Brown, MA
Ashley Brown, holds a master’s degree in Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy from the University of Central Florida. While focusing on her studies, Ashley found it important to dual engage in Mental Health Counseling to provide her clients with a more holistic approach.
She believes it is necessary that her clients and herself work together to build a strong therapeutic relationship that is full of trust, empathy, and understanding. Her passion for a holistic approach began when she worked in an integrated healthcare setting.
She realized that many of the difficulties her clients were facing were linked to other aspects of their lives such as their health, career, past trauma, relationships, fears, or religious beliefs.
By acknowledging the numerous parts of her clients, she was able to understand them as a whole and find solutions that moved past the surface of the complication.
Ashley has worked with a wide range of client difficulties that include but are not limited to depression, anxiety, divorce, codependency, teen development, stress management, premarital concerns, infidelity, racial identity, family differences, marriage/couple concerns, and LGBTQ+ milestones.
Ashley understands that mental wellness is an ongoing journey and because of this she helps her clients aim for progression, not perfection. She walks beside her clients on the journey to finding the best tools and treatment for them and their mental health.
If you’re searching for a therapist that not only hears you, but sees you for all of who you are, schedule with her today.
Ashley can be contacted at: [email protected].
Renee Harley, MSW
Renee Harley, is a two-time alumnus of SUNY University in Albany, New York. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Human Biology and master’s degree in Clinical Social Work. She has worked as therapist since 2014 and was licensed in the state of New York in 2015.
Renee is a culturally-affirming therapist. She is Ghanaian American who has been exposed to various cultures and faiths throughout her lifetime. These experiences enable her to offer a wider perspective and healthier options when working with her clients. Renee has worked in the foster care system and other agencies where she helped adolescents, adults, and couples achieve their goals. Her goal is to provide quality care and services with a holistic perspective-catering to one’s emotional, spiritual, and physical needs.
Renee’s specializes in treating: ADHD, Anxiety, Family Conflict, Anger Management, Behavioral Issues, Childhood trauma, Children and teens, Codependency, depression, Parenting, Relationship issues, Self-Esteem, Self-Harm, Spirituality, Stress, Suicidal Thoughts, PTSD, Learning and Developmental Disabilities, and others. She uses evidenced based interventions like CBT and motivational interviewing to help her clients bring about lasting change.
She is currently a Registered Clinical Social Work Intern in the state of Florida.
Renee can be contacted at [email protected].
Kayla Moran, MA
Kayla Moran, holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Central Florida. She has worked with many different populations across the Tampa Bay Area. Through her passion for mental health, she focused her practice on adolescents through her role at Tampa Housing Authority and as a behavioral therapist for children diagnosed with autism. Through these experiences, she gained a passion for treating young adults and helping guide them towards a positive future.
Kayla specializes in treating clients dealing with anxiety, anger management, behavioral concerns, childhood trauma, depression, self-esteem, stress and more. She has conducted individual therapy with children, incorporated family sessions and facilitated group sessions.
She values the importance of understanding the client’s background to help aid in their care and find a healthier solution. Kayla believes in the importance of the strengths-based technique and implementing mindfulness in everyday life.
Mindfulness is important in grounding oneself and helping alleviate those stressors a client may face. She strives to help the community develop a positive way of coping and achieving their goals and continues to impower the youth.
Kayla can be contacted at [email protected].
Brittany McKenzie, BS
Brittany McKenzie, is a Master’s-level student intern who has a passion for helping individuals struggling with mental health concerns, relationships, and life stresses. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Social Work at the University of South Florida, with intention to continue her education at the doctoral level post-graduation.
She has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the College of Charleston, where she was also employee as a supplemental Instruction Leader for multiple psychology courses. Brittany has worked for three yhears in clinical research where she conducted assessments of mental health, substance use, and social functioning with adolescents and adults. Her background in psychological and social and social science research allows her to bring a strong focus on evidence-based treatments to her counseling sessions.
Brittany believes in combining the strengths-based approach of social work with mindfulness practices and cognitive-behavioral therapy to develop strategies for overcoming challenges and finding meaning in life. As a student intern, she works under supervision from Kisha Choice to ensure the hioghest quality of care for her clients. Brittany’s life experences have made her an empathic listener with a dedication to providing a therapeutic environment for clients to develop confidence and grow. she hopes to work together with clients to envision and create the lives they desire and deserve.
Brittany can be reached at [email protected].
Idris Gaines, MA
Idris Gaines, holds a Master’s degree in Social Work & Master’s in Public Administration from Florida State University. His educational and professional experiences have afforded him the opportunity to work with diverse populations including veterans, the elderly, children, and families.
Idris has worked in child welfare, where he assisted families in identifying resources and services to meet behavioral health needs. He has worked as a school social worker where he advocated for children by conducting assessments for academic eligibility. His assessments led to better educational experiences for children with special needs. He is skilled in providing individual therapy with children and adults. Idris uses a family systems approach which helps to bring about lasting change. He also enjoys facilitating behavior modification groups for adolescents and adults.
Additionally, he has helped individuals struggling with substance use disorders live healthier lives and improve decision making skills. Idris believes in building a positive therapeutic relationship and uses a strengths-based approach to assist clients in meeting their desired goals.
Idris can be reached at [email protected].
Doris Kearns
Doris Kearns, is the Office Manager for First Choice Counseling & Wellness Center, LLC. She has over 45 years of dedicated client service experience in both the public and private sector. She is extremely passionate about helping individuals who are struggling with mental health get the help they need.
She is often the first person to welcome you to First Choice Counseling & Wellness Center either in person or by phone. She happily assists clients with scheduling appointments, answering questions about billing, or just offering general support along the way.
Doris can be contacted at: [email protected].