Meet Us: Play Therapist | Gay counselor

Stacy Nale, MA Marriage and Family Therapist,

I am a graduate of the University of Central Florida and hold a Master's degree in Mental Heath with a certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy. I have 5 years of experience helping individuals, couples, and families, and am currently working full time for the Center for Drug Free Living.

By creating a warm, safe, non-judgmental environment, I encourages clients to access those elements that are limiting them. I love to work with clients who are going through the process of transformation in their lives and are open to seeking change. I believe that until we are prepared to examine all the factors in our lives that make us who we are, we have no choice but to repeat the past, and to be ruled by it. If we gain perspective and insight on our past we can begin to create choice and transform our present and future.

As a holistic therapist I see the client as a complete person; mind, body and spirit. I incorporate the practice of mindfulness meditation, a Buddhist tradition that brings a calm awareness to one’s mind, body and soul. Mindfulness allows the individual to become an active observer to their thoughts, feelings and emotions while gaining the benefits of concentration, relaxation, and the ability to take a moment to just breathe.

I am experienced in working with a wide variety of people regardless of religion, gender, culture, and sexual orientation.

Laura Cunningham, Ph.D., N.C.C., Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern

In my view, counseling involves joining compassionately with you right where you are at in your journey through life. Furthermore, I facilitate an in-depth exploration of your current self. The next step involves brainstorming ideas to shape your thoughts and environment in more empowering ways to encourage your best path. I have been in private practice since 2004 and have specialized in young adult transitions (college aged populations), families with troubled adolescents and people managing and thriving with DSM diagnosed symptoms.

I have found a special enjoyment of group work of all types. I have facilitated Artist Way groups since 2000 and enjoy watching the artist clusters shine! As well, I enjoy a variety of counseling modalities (i.e. individual, couples, family and children) and tailor my approach to best suit your needs. All approaches include listening and then facilitating growth using effective techniques and creative interventions. My approach with children includes play therapy and creative expression to allow them to tell their story using their language.

My training includes a Ph.D. in Counselor Education at UCF and a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling at Rollins College. As a professional counselor, I am involved in the community as a member of the American Counseling Association, Association for Counselor Educators and Supervisors, and Association for Specialist in Group Work.

Email Dr. Laura Cunningham

John Super, MA Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern

I like to tell others that I came to counseling as my “mid-life crisis”, while this description provides a point of reference in helping others understand, what I’m really communicating is that I came to a point in my life where I needed a new path, and when working with you, I understand that there are important times or events that can have an impact on your life.

At that point in my life, I enrolled at the University of Central Florida and received a Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. I chose UCF after learning that the program is consistently ranked as one of the leader’s in educating counselors. To continue my professional development, I am enrolled at UCF and am working toward earning a doctoral degree in this field.

In counseling, I found a passion and specialize in working with same-sex couples to help them through the difficult times in their relationship. I work using a theory based on research that identifies four factors that can cause a relationship to fail and help the couple learn how to avoid those factors. In addition to couples, I also work with individual clients who struggle with issues in their lives that may have them stuck to help them create joy in their life. When working with clients, I use methods with proven results to move them past the challenges they are facing. I will help them identify what is working well in their lives and build on that success while introducing new perspectives and behaviors.

As a professional counselor, I am a member of the American Counseling Association, the Florida Counseling Association, the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, Association for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Issues in Counseling and the Association for Spiritual, Ethical and Religious Values in Counseling.

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Shea Hughes-Brand, PhD, LCSW, LMFT, RPT-S, ATR-BC

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Registered Play Therapist and Supervisor (RPT-S), and a Board Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC). I have worked 18 works years in the mental health and substance abuse field providing counseling services to children, adolescents, adults, families, and couples. I graduated from The University of Alabama with a Masters in Clinical Social Work with a specialization in Children, Youth, and Families. I graduated with a Masters in Art Therapy and a Doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy from Florida State University.

My clinical experience and interests are providing counseling services to children ages two and up, adolescents dealing with transitional issues, and couples and families dealing with relationship conflicts. I have worked 15 years with patients dealing with mental health and substance abuse problems. I have worked 5 years teaching marriage and family therapy courses and am currently at the University of Central Florida in the Counselor Education Program. I am further completing the certification process for the Gottman Method, a research-based approach based on proven techniques for improving relationships. I have also conducted research on applying the Gottman Method with at-risk adolescents and their families.

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Heidi de la Torre, MA, Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern

I am a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern and Recipient of the Play Therapy Certificate from the Counselor Education Program at the University of Central Florida. After earning my Bachelor’s Degree in Family Studies, I have worked for 9 years in the social service and mental health field with children, adolescents and families. I speak both English and Spanish fluently.

I am a Christian counselor and use a relational approach to counseling. As a Christian counselor, I believe in the Biblical principle of not judging others so I honor and respect all values and belief systems when they are different from my own without judging the client. I believe in working with clients using sources of strength from their own belief systems and world views. I enjoy working with children, adolescents, individual adults, couples and families with issues regarding trauma and abuse recovery, dissociative disorders, relationship issues, process addictions, attachment issues, parenting and women’s issues. I also enjoy facilitating workshops and community engagements for schools, religious groups, community organizations, health practitioners and businesses on various issues, including, but not limited to child development, parenting, parent-child relationships, self-esteem and team building.

Edward Brand, PhD Candidate, LMHC, LMFT, CAP

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and Certified Addictions Professional (CAP) with an international addictions certification. I have worked 22 years in the substance abuse and mental health field providing individual, family, and couples counseling. I graduated from The University of Alabama with a Masters in Community Counseling and am currently completing a Doctorate at Florida State University in the Marriage and Family Therapy Program.

My clinical experience and interests are providing counseling services to patients diagnosed with a severe mental illness, addictive disorders, patients dealing with relational conflicts, and veterans dealing with substance abuse issues, PTSD, and family/relational problems. I teach at the University of Central Florida in the Counselor Education Program and provide counseling services to students on campus who are dealing with substance abuse issues. I am also completing the certification process for the Gottman Method and am currently conducting research on the effectiveness of the Gottman Method with couples.