OUR THERAPISTS

Jodi Turner, LMHC, LPC, MCAP, MAC, NBCCH, Hypnotherapy Certification (Florida, Colorado)

​​​I have been a Mental Health Counselor for 25 years and have helped countless amounts of clients learn about, and work on, their core issues of depression and anxiety and have extensive experience with abuse issues. I also work with clients dealing with abandonment and issues that they have due to childhood and recent traumas; including grief and loss issues. I specialize in trauma, dependence, co-dependency and abuse issues as well as domestic violence and family issues. I use processing trauma and past issues as my main form of work, including hypnotherapy. I use cognitive, behavioral and psychoanalytical perspectives when helping clients.

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC in Florida), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC in Colorado), Certified Hypnotherapist (NBCCH), MCAP and an MAC. I have a B.A. in Psychology from SUNY Stony Brook and a M.S.Ed, Major in Counseling with distinction from Hofstra University, NY. I have also taken updated counseling courses at FAU.

I tend to break through surface level issues and get to the core issues a person has in order to promote change and well being in the individual. People tend to open up to me due to my empathy and understanding of trauma, and its effects on their behaviors.

Kathy Altidor, MS, RMHCI, EMDR trained, Gottman Method Couples Therapy trained, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Trained (Florida)

Kathy is a West Palm Beach native, of Haitian descent, and provides our client’s essential therapeutic services in English and Haitian-Creole.

Kathy received her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Masters of Science in Exercise Science and Health Promotion from Florida Atlantic University and went on to attain her Masters of Science in Mental Health Counseling at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Her prior professional roles include Director of a local Food Pantry, ICU Secretary, Sunday School Teacher, and successful business owner.

Kathy specializes in numerous evidence-based modalities including; Family Therapy, Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Art Therapy, Play Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy (SFBT) and is certified in Prepare-Enrich. Kathy is enriching her professional skills through continued training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Gottman Training, and is planning to pursue her doctorate degree.

Yvette Bonilla, MS RMCHI (Florida)

Yvette is passionate about empowering and equipping others to lead healthy meaningful lives. She is invested in creating and maintaining healthy professional relationships and strives to serve others with excellence and integrity.

Yvette earned her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Palm Beach Atlantic University. Her approach to therapy is strength based and client centered. She has experience working alongside children, adolescents, and adults on their healing journey to make lasting change. Yvette is committed to creating a non-judgmental, safe environment to address and work through life challenges.

Jennifer Lewis, MS, RMFT (Florida)

Jennifer (Jen) Lewis earned a Master’s of Family Therapy at Nova Southeastern University in 2021. She has experience working with children and adults, and continues to explore more diverse populations. She has experience using Solution-Focused Therapy, Play Therapy, and Bowenian therapy. She continues to do research on other techniques of therapy in order to give her clients the most beneficial care. Jen works with clients who deal with depression, anxiety, ADHD, and daily struggles. Jen primarily works with adults and couples to improve their quality of life.

Dena Ballew, RMHC (Florida)

Dena is a clinical mental health counselor in the state of Florida. Born and raised in the Midwest, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree-in Psychology from Touro College and a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Nova Southeastern University. Currently, she is also pursuing additional licensure in Marriage and Family Therapy. With over a decade of experience in the field of mental health, Dena has worked with numerous individuals and families in the community-based setting, providing psychotherapy, psycho-education, and counseling to children, adolescents, and adults. Her approach is warm, direct, and deeply invested in your success. Her therapy sessions help clients develop flexible attitudes toward life’s most complex and challenging circumstances as well as empower them by gaining insight and tools that result in positive change. Therapeutic modalities vary based on the client’s preference, however, Dena focuses on client-centered, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and strength-based approaches.

Dena has a passion for decreasing the stigma surrounding mental health and works with individuals and families in the LGBTQIA+ communities.

Julianne Douglas, MS, RMHCI (Florida)

I am a registered mental health counselor intern for the state of Florida. I pride myself in being able to offer services from a holistic approach that helps clients to obtain a more whole state of well-being and am passionate about providing professional quality care to clients in need.

I enjoy working with clients of all ages from early childhood through the geriatric population. I help clients work through depression, anxiety, major life transitions, grief and loss, matters of spirituality and substance dependency. I utilize an integrative approach to treatment which means I identify you and your tools as unique. I believe each individual is the expert in their own life and see the relationship as a collaborative effort in which I help to facilitate and guide your healing process.

Some of the therapeutic modalities I utilize include: Multiculturalism-you are unique and so is the family which you came from, Experiential-let’s get hands on and create new positive neural pathways, Person-Centered-because again you are the expert, Strength Based-we all have skills we can build on, Solution Focused Brief Therapy-it’s not always about digging into the past, Mindfulness -Based Cognitive Therapy-because we must learn to connect our brain and heart, and I really enjoy working with group therapy…including families-because we are stronger together.

I graduated from the University of the Cumberland in Kentucky and received a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I received training in Play Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and on topics related specifically to the HIV/AIDS community. I look forward to meeting you and working alongside you to facilitate your healing journey.

Yvone G. Ao, LCSW (Florida)

“My name is Yvone Ao, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Florida. I graduated with my Master’s in Social Work from Florida Atlantic University, and I immediately began working with severe and persistent mental illness diagnoses, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and dual-diagnosis clients. I seek to understand each client as an individual, and in their social systems, and acknowledge the importance of how a person’s culture and upbringing affect one’s coping mechanisms and perception.

I recognize that change can sometimes feel punishing, but I hope to accompany each client in their journey in recognizing that the strength to overcome any hardship has been within them all along. I understand the importance of the language we use to describe ourselves, and aim to partner with each client in revising their internal dialogue to allow for continued growth, healing, and recovery.”

Sima Alavi, Doctor of NP- Board Certified (Florida)

Sima Alavi is a Board Certified Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She began her career in 1995, after graduating from the University of Miami and continued on to earn her masters and Doctorate degree in the field of mental health with specialization in both children and adults. Her focus is in rehabilitation, detoxification, and recovery for both inpatient and outpatient treatment centers. Through evaluation and stabilization, she targets treatment for individuals experiencing a crisis situation and those who seek the need for immediate intervention. She works independently with fellow psychiatric health practitioners to provide the best care for her patients.