I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor specializing in individual, child, adolescent, couples and family therapy. I maintain a private practice in Maitland, Florida operating as The Mindful Hearts Institute. I seek to create a nurturing environment for individuals, families and professionals of all ages to learn, grow and flourish.

Deborah is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who provides specialized services to individuals, couples, children, adolescents and families who are seeking positive change. "Marriage is our last, best chance to grow up." ~JOSEPH BARTH Relationships (specifically long-term committed ones) are the perfect medium in which to grow. I believe a core drive that is essential to human growth and development is the establishment of authentic mutual connection in relationships. Disconnection and/or chronic discord in relationships can cause major difficulties in our lives. When one is able to develop a better understanding of themselves, they are better able to experience psychological well being through healthier relationships that foster growth and mutual benefit. I believe in the transformative power of authentic self-awareness. Accurate self-perception enables us to create lives faithful to our true inner selves and in harmony with those around us. Robert Frost wrote, “Our very life depends on everything recurring 'til we answer from within.” Like Bill Murray in the movie Groundhog Day, we are destined to repeat the same mistakes over and over until we finally "answer from within" and come to know our True Self - free of the gross distortions caused by outdated and self-limiting core beliefs and strategies. "A Child's Play is his Talk, and Toys are his Words." ~GINNOTT Developmentally, play is a child's natural language. Counseling through the use of play therapy can assist children in processing and expressing their feelings in a safe environment. This type of therapy allows the child to express what is troubling them through the natural process of play when they cannot say their thoughts and feelings in words. I work with children of all ages utilizing various counseling techniques including play therapy. Play therapy refers to a large number of treatment methods, all of which make use of one or more of the natural benefits of play. All play therapy differs from regular play in that the therapist helps children systematically address and resolve their own problems. Play therapy allows children to find creative solutions, change the ways in which they think about, feel toward, and resolve their problems. I can help your child by interacting with them on a level they can understand to promote healthy, long-lasting change. Although I can help with many issues, my experience and training with children suffering from anxiety disorders such as Selective Mutism, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), General Anxiety, Phobias, Separation Anxiety, etc., makes me uniquely qualified as an area specialist.

I am a licensed mental health counselor specializing in individual, child, adolescent, marriage and family therapy, and maintain a private practice in Longwood, Florida, serving the Orlando metropolitan area. My goal is to create a nurturing environment for individuals, families and professionals of all ages to learn, grow and flourish. With over 15 years experience in the mental health field, I work with a broad spectrum of clients. Among my areas of expertise are helping children and adults through major life transitions, as well as improving their relationships with self and others. Developing direct and honest relationships, with both self and others, is the foundation for living an emotionally healthy life. As a therapist, I model this principle in my work, and help clients develop the tools to build healthy relationship practices in their lives. I am a wife, mother and grandmother, so among other specialties my practice includes a focus on the needs of mothers, and I am dedicated to honoring and compassionately bringing forth the innate unfolding beauty, wisdom, and grace inherent in every mom. I am an interactive, solution-focused therapist. My therapeutic approach is to provide support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges. I integrate complementary methodologies and techniques to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each client. With compassion and understanding, I work with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing. Treatment specializations include: •Therapy for Anxiety, Stress, and Phobias - including OCD and Panic •Therapy for Depression and Sadness •Child/Adolescent Counseling/Play Therapy •Aggression and Anger in Children, Teens and Adults •Relationship issues •Dissociative Disorders •Mood Disorders, including BiPolar disorder •Personality Disorders •Adoption (pre and post) •Marriage Counseling •Family Counseling •Parenting Support •Bereavement and Grief Counseling •Divorce Issues •Trauma, PTSD, and Complex Trauma, Childhood Abuse and Neglect •Work and Career issues •Stress Management •Uprooting Addictions & Recovery •Conflict Resolution •Life Issues, such as Balance of Work/Family •Spirituality/Faith •Difficult People •Building Self-Esteem •Body Image I work with a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues, providing services that range from therapy for depression and grief counseling to parenting support, marriage counseling and beyond. In a comfortable and supportive atmosphere, I offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each client's individual needs to help attain the personal growth they desire