fbpx

    The Team

  • Melissa Bradley, LMHC
    Melissa Bradley, LMHC
    Clinical Director of Mental Health Services
    Melissa Bradley, LMHC
    Melissa Bradley, LMHC
    Clinical Director of Mental Health Services
    Melissa earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in psychology from the University of Central Florida in 2005. She went on to achieve her master’s degree in mental health counseling in 2013 from Argosy University. Melissa has expressed a passion for working with young children since 1998. She has served as the director of outpatient mental health services and is now occupying the role of director of school-based mental health services for The Florida Center. Melissa practices ‘time-ins’ with her child at home which supports a positive parent-child relationship based on security, connectedness, and open communication.
  • Jeanie DeLa, LMHC
    Jeanie DeLa, LMHC
    Outpatient Mental Health Supervisor and Healthy Families Mental Health Counselor
    Jeanie DeLa, LMHC
    Jeanie DeLa, LMHC
    Outpatient Mental Health Supervisor and Healthy Families Mental Health Counselor
    Jeanie received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. She earned her master's degree from Texas A&M University in 1984, where she majored in counseling. Jeanie has worked with a variety of populations since completing her degrees including; those suffering substance abuse addiction, eating disorders and traumatic brain injuries. However, she found her calling when she began working with pregnant women and families with newborns and young children. She received the Healthy Start Mission Award in 2013 for her work with pregnant and nursing mothers and received a Teaming Up for Change Award from the Florida Department of Children and Families the following year. Jeanie is also expertly trained in the following areas: childbirth education, lactation counseling, Fussy Baby Network, Love's Cradle relationship enhancement facilitation, Circle of Security parenting, Traumatic Incident Reduction therapy and Group Peer Support (GPS). Jeanie serves as a trainer and facilitator for the Mothers and Babies post-partum depression prevention program. She is a mother of three and juggles school and sports with personal hobbies.
  • Stephanie Essex, LMHC
    Stephanie Essex, LMHC
    Clinical Supervisor Infant and Early Childhood Center-Based Services
    Stephanie Essex, LMHC
    Stephanie Essex, LMHC
    Clinical Supervisor Infant and Early Childhood Center-Based Services
    Stephanie earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in psychology from the University of South Florida in 2012. She went on to achieve her master's degree in clinical mental health counseling from Argosy University in 2018. Stephanie is currently a certified parent educator for the Circle of Security parenting program and has been working with children for over four years. Previously, she worked for Kids and Families Matter where she provided supervised visitation services to children and families in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Stephanie enjoys being active and exploring nature. She finds that frequent bike rides, hikes, and nature walks improve her state of mind and help her feel more relaxed at work and home.
  • Jennifer Hatcher, LCSW
    Jennifer Hatcher, LCSW
    Clinical Supervisor School-Based Mental Health (Sarasota)
    Jennifer Hatcher, LCSW
    Jennifer Hatcher, LCSW
    Clinical Supervisor School-Based Mental Health (Sarasota)
    Jennifer earned her Bachelors of Social Work Degree from the University of South Florida in 1999. She went on to achieve her Masters of Social Work Degree from USF in 2001, with a post master specialization in both infant family mental health and maternal mental health. Jennifer has worked with children and families for more than 20 years in both public and nonprofit organizations. She also has more than 15 years experience working with U.S. Service members and their families. Jennifer is a proud mother of two teenagers and a military spouse. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and going to the beach.