MEET THE TEAM

Quality Care from People Who Care

STAFF

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TEAM

Jessica Sullivan

Charles Von Presley

Iris Curry

Donald Ford

Sarah Workman

Ashley Chermak

Monica Davis

Meredith Malak

STAFF

JESSICA SULLIVAN

I have extensive experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings working with addiction, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, behavioral modification, anxiety, panic, OCD, PTSD, LGBTQIA+ issues, depression, women’s issues, and couples and family counseling. I am the president of the board of directors for the Postpartum Society of Florida.

The first step in therapy is for me to learn all about you and what has brought you to a point in your life where you are seeking help. I will ask you to tell me all about yourself, your life, and your current situation. I will work hard to listen for patterns and make connections between your past and your current situation. Through this process I will be able to develop a comprehensive treatment plan and have a good understanding of what therapeutic modality would work best for you. We will work together from that point forward collaboratively and establish a strong and mutually trusting therapeutic relationship.  

My primary goal is to provide you with relief and improvement in functioning and well-being. I will work closely with you while we help to move you to a more positive and functional situation. We will work together collaboratively to relieve your distress and establish a strong and mutually trusting therapeutic relationship. The most important part of the experience will be to instill and foster hope, to help you see positive change, and to make sure that you feel supported. 

STAFF

CHARLES VON PRESLEY

Charles Von Presley graduated from the University of Iowa in 2004 with a double major in Psychology and Religious Studies. He attended the Florida School of Professional Psychology for 3 years working toward his doctorate in Psychology. He spent four years helping run a community mental health center, working with a wide range of clientele with an accordingly wide range of mental health issues. More recently, Charles has been traveling and intentionally broadening his exposure to child and young adult populations. Likewise, Charles has over 10 years teaching experience in various fields in both academic and business contexts. Addiction, young adult issues and relationships are all strength areas, with a preference toward CBT and Existential/Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.

STAFF

IRIS CURRY

Iris Curry received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Florida A&M University in 1994 Master’s Degree in Counseling Education from the University of South Florida in 2000 and became a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in 2009.  She has been working in mental health for over twenty years. She has made a career of helping people who are in crisis, in transition, having relationship problems or wanting to live more productive lives. Iris has been working in both inpatient and outpatient settings and takes continuing education courses to enhance her skills.

STAFF

DONALD FORD

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a Certified Master’s Level Addiction Professional who has focused on diagnosing and treating a variety of clinical symptoms and disorders including substance abuse, addictions, depression, anxiety, trauma, eating disorders, identity issues, low self-esteem, individuals with HIV, and personality disorders. I have often treated clients who have experienced persistent and varied
emotional and cognitive symptoms resulting from long-term relationship traumas and abuse. I have worked with individuals of all ages with severe and persistent psychopathology, including psychosis, and severe behavioral and relationship problems. I have worked in all settings, from private practice to long term residential treatment facilities as well as psychiatric hospitals.

I have developed an appreciation for each client’s perspective, unique needs, and challenges in treatment. I prefer to work in the framework of a Cognitive Behavioral Therapeutic modality, one of the most empirically validated treatment approaches. However, I also integrate other theoretical orientations of therapy such as Client Centered, Solution Focused, Interpersonal, and Gestalt, focusing on what clients want to achieve through therapy in addition to historical problem(s) that made them seek help. Areas of expertise include relationships, substance abuse, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, identity, self-esteem, trauma, HIV, and communication.

Additionally, I have also been trained in Applied Metapsychology Interventions such as Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR) and Unblocking, Trauma focused interventions that can also be useful in resolving negative charge associated with traumas and stressors in general in one session. I am also a Certified 500/501 Pre & Post Test Counseling HIV Counselor.

STAFF

SARAH WORKMAN

Sarah Workman Checcone, Esq. is a Florida Supreme Court certified family mediator, licensed attorney, communication counselor, qualified parenting coordinator, certified parent and family coach, and certified personality type and temperament practitioner. She has also trained in the practice of faith-based peacemaking.
 
As a mother of four children as well as a daughter, a sister, a partner, and a support group leader, Sarah’s passion, purpose, and calling is peacemaking—making peace among people and making peace within ourselves. As a counselor/advocate, Sarah’s mission is to support individuals, families, couples, and teams facing communication challenges and/or difficult seasons of conflict with compassion, validation, professionalism, and real, lasting, effective solutions.

STAFF

ASHLEY CHERMAK

Ashley is a certified School Psychologist who received her training from Alfred University: an APA and NASP accredited private university in upstate New York. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Clinical & Child Psychology in 2016, a Master’s degree in School Psychology in 2018, and a Certificate of Advanced Study in School Psychology in 2020. She is currently completing her doctoral dissertation, the last step in obtaining her Doctoral degree in School Psychology (PsyD) in 2021. 

 
Ashley has multiple years of experience working with children, adolescents, and families both in the school setting and private practice, having worked in both public schools with children ages 3-21, and a community mental health clinic with clients ages 3-23 and their families. 
 
Ashley specializes in child, adolescent, and family counseling, and utilizes a multimethod approach in order to tailor each session to meet individual needs. Her scope includes emotional, behavioral, academic, and motivational difficulties for children and adolescents, as well as whole family dynamics and functioning. Specifically, she has helped many clients with anxiety, depression, ADHD, learning disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, trauma, divorce, family functioning, and academic motivation and study skills.
 
Her ultimate goal is to help clients and families identify and process their specific areas of difficulty and work together as a team in order to develop, teach, and practice skills and strategies that can be implemented and reviewed in session to determine what works and what does not. True success is often marked by a client or family’s ability to function well and employ learned strategies without significant guidance from the counselor. 

STAFF

Monica is an experienced licensed mental health therapist with over 8 years of dedicated practice. Holds an Associate’s degree in social work, a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development, and a Master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. Specializes in guiding both children and adults through crisis intervention and comprehensive assessments. Monica employs evidence-based techniques, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and faith-based approaches, fostering holistic healing.

Monica’s unwavering commitment to mental health and community outreach drives her passion. Her therapeutic approach is marked by an unwavering empathy, active listening, and the creation of a secure, judgment-free environment for her clients. She places a strong emphasis on collaborative goal-setting, empowering clients to play an active role in their healing journey.

Whether working with children or adults, Monica’s approach is grounded in compassion and professionalism. Her profound dedication to facilitating growth and well-being is evident in every session. In essence, clients partnering with Monica can expect a supportive and effective therapeutic journey that results in improved mental health, personal growth, enriched relationships, and enhanced coping skills for life’s challenges.

STAFF

Meredith Malak

Meredith is a seasoned professional with an impressive 15-year tenure in the field of psychology. She acquired Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling. Her unwavering dedication lies in offering compassionate counseling to adults and families as they navigate the intricate terrain of life’s challenges. Her mission is clear: to provide unwavering support to individuals on their path toward healing, self-discovery, and personal growth.

With a diverse set of skills, Meredith specializes in assisting individuals grappling with an array of mental health challenges. She is a certified practitioner of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) through rigorous training. Meredith’s expertise in EMDR empowers her to effectively guide clients through the healing process, addressing issues such as trauma, depression, anxiety, panic, and phobias. EMDR is a potent tool on the journey towards recovery and profound transformation.

In her counseling sessions, Meredith crafts a secure and judgment-free environment, allowing you to openly explore your thoughts and emotions. Together, you and Meredith will embark on a collaborative journey, one that prioritizes your unique needs and aspirations. Her client-centered approach ensures that your preferences and goals are at the forefront of the therapeutic process.

Meredith’s commitment to her clients’ well-being, combined with her extensive experience and EMDR proficiency, makes her a beacon of hope for those seeking profound change and healing. Expect an empathetic and transformative therapeutic experience under Meredith’s guidance.