Our Counselors & Supporters
Jessica Alea, EdD, MS, LMHC
Providing In-person sessions in Fort Walton Beach & Virtually throughout Florida
Hello, I’m Jessica, a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) in Florida. I specialize in trauma and anxiety treatment for adults ages 14 and older. I am EMDR and PE (Prolonged Exposure) Certified and CPT trained, an IOCDF BTTI Completer, and SPACE trained by Eli Leibowitz.
If you have gotten this far, then you understand how much trauma and/or anxiety can impact a person’s ability to find joy. Our minds can be our own worst bully. I work with clients overwhelmed with OCD, Phobias, Agoraphobias, Panic, BII (Blood, injury, & injection) Phobias, BFRBs, Social Anxiety, Insomnia, OCPD, and trauma. I use evidenced-based practices such as ERP, iCBT, ACT, SPACE, ComB, EMDR, PE, CPT, and CBT therapies.
Experiencing anxiety and trauma, can leave one feeling tired and frustrated. Having anxiety and trauma is difficult. You may feel like when you have a handle on one, the other starts to rear its ugly head! Because of this you may feel too irritable or too exhausted to deal with social situations or friends. You may spend a lot of time thinking through how to handle everyday situations because it feels unsafe. Each situation presents another battle with how much you can handle. It just feels like your mind is always "on." If sounds familiar, I can help you find relief. Trauma and anxiety is my driving focus.
I understand how important it is for you to find relief and healing from the distress of anxiety and trauma. I hope that Invictus Counseling is the start of a journey for you. Please reach out.
Therapeutic Profile: BIPOC (Hispanic), LGBTQIA-affirming, Nerd/Geek, Neurodiverse-affirming
3 Hobbies: Reading Fantasy/Sci-fi, Plants, Hiking
Areas of Specialization:
OCD Sub-type profile: POCD, ROCD, Just-Right, Pure O, Scrupulosity/Morality OCD, Contamination, Harm OCD
Anxiety Profile: Phobias (Medical fears), Agoraphobia, Panic, Social Anxiety, Anxious Attachment, Rejection Sensitivity, Family Accommodations
Other: PTSD, Insomnia, Guilt/Shame, OCPD, Perfectionist,
Religious Moral Injury
Beth Laing MA, LMHC
Providing In-person sessions in Fort Walton Beach & Virtually throughout Florida
Hi! My name is Beth,
I’m a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) in the state of Florida. I work with teens (13 +), young adults, and adults navigating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, traumatic stress, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders, relationship concerns, identity development, and life transitions. I am committed to providing an affirming, inclusive space for individuals of all identities.
If you’re someone who appears okay and functional on the outside but internally feels like your mind rarely turns off, like you’re constantly bracing for the next thing to go wrong, you’re not alone. You overthink conversations, replay decisions, and carry responsibilities that don’t always feel visible to others. Past experiences, expectations, relationships, and other people’s needs add up. You’ve learned how to function the best you can while carrying that weight, but that doesn't mean it isn’t heavy. And it doesn’t have to stay heavy.
Reaching out for therapy is not a small decision. If you’ve learned to rely on yourself, trust may not come easily and that makes sense. Often, your mind and body adapt in order to stay safe. Therapy should respect that. My goal is to create a space where your nervous system can settle, because when you’re regulated there is room for joy, love, and genuine connection - both within yourself and in the world around you.
My approach is trauma informed, conversational, grounded in evidence-based practice and cultural humility. But more than that, therapy with me is intentional. I am EMDR Trained and a Certified Clinical Trama Professional. We will identify patterns that keep you stuck, introduce habits that gently shift those patterns, build practical tools to regulate your nervous system, and create meaningful change - while also fostering compassion, curiosity, and care for the parts of you that learned to survive. You don’t have to carry everything alone.
Therapeutic Profile: LGBTQIA-affirming, Neurodiverse-affirming, Nerd/Geek Culture, BIPOC-ally
3 Hobbies: Yoga, Snowboarding, Going to the Beach
Areas of Specialization:
OCD-Subtypes: ROCD, POCD, Moral Scrupulosity, Somatic, Contamination, Harm, Pure O
Anxiety: Ruminations, Worry, Anxiety, Chronic Illness, Medical Phobias, Phobias, Panic, Agoraphobia, Social Anxiety, Anxious Attachment, Rejection Sensitivty, Perfectionism/People-pleasing, School avoiance, Childhood OCD/Panic, Neurodiverse-affirming & Trained
Trauma: Childhood Trauma, PTSD, CPTSD, Suicidality/Self-harm, Shame
Anja Lazic, MA, LMHC
Providing Sessions Virtually throughout Florida
Hi! My name is Anja,
I’m a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) in the state of Florida. I
work with children (5+), young adults, and adults navigating attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder/neurodivergence, trauma, OCD, anxiety
disorders, mood disorders, LGBTQI specific issues, body focused
repetitive behaviors, and body dysmorphia. I strive to provide a safe space for people of all walks of life. I firmly believe everyone deserves access to care and a place to feel validated and supported.
Are you finding yourself wishing you could be more present in your day to day life? Are you spending most of your day engaging in a back and forth with your intrusive/unwanted thoughts? Are you trying your hardest to re-engage in life and the things you value but find yourself too anxious or overwhelmed to do so?
You are not alone in this, the fact that you are continuing to get up each day and do your best, shows that you have the strength to challenge these things in therapy.
You are here, reading this, which is the first step. I am proud of you
already. Therapy can be intimidating, but you deserve to feel better. My approach to therapy is a collaborative process, we will work together to identify your goals/needs, and develop a treatment plan that helps you get there. I will challenge you and hold you accountable in gentle and empathetic ways.
I provide care that is trauma informed, culturally competent,
compassionate and grounded in evidence-based practices with a dash of healthy humor.
I am trained in Exposure Response Prevention for OCD and Anxiety
Disorders, Prolonged Exposure for Trauma, CBT for Hoarding, Habit
Reversal Training for Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors, Behavioral
Activation for Depression and CBT for Body Dysmorphic Disorder.
Therapeutic Profile: LGBTQIA-affirming, Neurodiverse-affirming, Trauma Informed, Culturally Competent.
3 Hobbies: Video Games, Puzzles (both logic and jigsaw), Hobby Hopping between crafts (yay ADHD).
Areas of Specialization:
OCD-Subtypes: Harm, Responsibility, POCD, Sexuality, Existential,
Morality/Scrupulosity, Contamination, Just Right/Perfectionism.
Anxiety : Generalized Anxiety, Specific Phobias, Social Anxiety,
Emetophobia, Panic, Agoraphobia, Social Anxiety, Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Hoarding, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Other: Neurodivergence, Immigrant Population, LGBTQI
Melany Freytes M.A., Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
Providing In-person sessions in Pembroke Pines & Virtually throughout Florida
Hello I am Melany,
Do you ever feel like your mind locks onto your health and won’t let it go? Like one small sensation turns into a wave of worry, and even when you try to reassure yourself, your thoughts keep pulling you back into doubt and fear?
I’m a Registered Mental Health Counselor at Invictus Counseling, and I work with individuals navigating anxiety, health anxiety, chronic illness, and chronic pain. I support children, adolescents, and adults who feel overwhelmed by intrusive thoughts, constant body scanning, reassurance seeking, and the exhausting need to feel certain about what their body is doing or what their symptoms might mean.
Many of the people I work with feel stuck in patterns that are hard to break. This can look like repeatedly checking the body for signs of illness, searching symptoms online, avoiding medical care out of fear, scheduling frequent appointments for reassurance, or feeling unable to trust physical sensations without fear taking over. I also work with
individuals who have experienced medical trauma or medical gaslighting, where past healthcare experiences left them feeling dismissed, invalidated, or uncertain about their own
reality.
I offer care that is LGBTQIA-affirming, neurodiverse-affirming, and culturally responsive, with an approach that honors each person’s lived experience. I strive to create a space
where you do not have to mask or over-explain yourself to be understood. My areas of specialization include anxiety, health anxiety, chronic illness, chronic pain, medical phobias, disability-related stress, and how anxiety can show up alongside complex
medical experiences.
My approach is mind-body focused and includes EMDR, Brainspotting, Pain Reprocessing Therapy, and mind-body work. These approaches help process past experiences, calm the nervous system, and support clients in shifting out of fear-based cycles so they can reconnect with a greater sense of safety and trust in their body. In addition, I am trained in ERP, iCBT, and ACT to engage clients in the cognitive side of how anxiety impacts a persons mental wellness.
Outside of work, I love spending time with my Yorkie, Monkey, baking sweet treats, and sunbathing at the beach. Those small moments really help me slow down and feel more like myself again. I also support my clients in finding and reconnecting with the things that bring them comfort, relief, and a sense of meaning in their own lives.
If you’re feeling stuck in a cycle where your mind keeps scanning for danger, replaying symptoms, or making it hard to relax even when you want to, you do not have to go through that alone. In my work, I help people step out of the constant mental “checking,” the urge to seek reassurance, and the feeling of never quite feeling safe in their own
body, so they can start to feel more steady, present, and able to trust their own experience again.
Therapist Profile: Chronic Illness-affirming, BIPOC (Latina)
3 Hobbies: Spending time with my dog, Baking, Going to the beach
Areas of Specialization:
Medical Anxieties & Trauma: EMDR, Brainspotting, Pain Reprocessing Therapy, ERP, iCBT, ACT
Anxiety Profile: Anxiety disorders related to chronic pain and illness, OCD, OCPD/Perfecting Behaviors, Anxiety, Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety, Phobias
Crystal Gutierrez M.A., Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
Providing In-person session in Fort Walton Beach & Virtually throughout Florida
Hello I am Crystal,
I help individuals calm the constant mental noise and step out of patterns that no longer serve them. When anxiety, OCD, trauma, or overthinking feel overwhelming, it’s not because you’re broken and real change is possible. You don’t have to face this alone.
As both an Army brat and Army veteran, I understand transition, resilience, sacrifice, and the emotional toll of constant adaptation. Later becoming a stay-at-home mom deepened my understanding of identity shifts and the quiet strength it takes to hold everything together. These lived experiences shape how I show up for my clients steady, compassionate, and grounded.
I work with children, teens, and adults, with a particular focus on military service members and veterans. Many of my clients come to therapy feeling stuck, frustrated, or ashamed that they “should be able to handle it.” Together, we move beyond short-term coping and work toward meaningful, lasting change.
My approach is person-centered and collaborative, creating a supportive space where you feel heard and understood. I use evidence-based treatments such as Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients process trauma, reduce anxiety, and challenge unhelpful thought patterns. Therapy is tailored to your unique needs and goals, and we move at a pace that feels safe and manageable.
For those who desire it, I offer faith integration, thoughtfully blending a biblical perspective with clinically sound, research-based approaches while always respecting each client’s individual spiritual journey.
If you’re ready to move beyond survival and begin healing in a space where you feel supported and understood, I would be honored to walk alongside you.
Therapist Profile: Military, Faith-based, BIPOC (Korean)
3 Hobbies: Baking, Crocheting, Gardening
Areas of Specialization:
Child Anxiety Therapists: iCBT, ACT, and ERP for Children, Family Accommodation (SPACE-Informed), School Refusal
Anxiety Profile: Anxiety, Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety, Phobias
Child Therapy: Sandtray therapists, ART trained
Brandon McClelland M.A., Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
Providing In-person session in Fort Walton Beach & Virtually throughout Florida
Hello, I am Brandon,
I am a mental health counselor who works with children, adolescents, and young adults navigating anxiety, emotional distress, and life transitions. I am passionate about creating a safe, supportive space where clients feel understood, respected, and empowered to grow.
Before entering the counseling field, I spent seven years working in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). This experience shaped my interest in understanding not only what individuals do, but why they do it—how behavior is influenced by environment, learning history, emotional development, and cognitive processes. My background enables me to take a thoughtful, whole-person approach that considers both behavior and the internal experiences that drive it.
I understand that starting therapy can feel intimidating—whether a child is struggling to express big emotions, a teen feels overwhelmed by stress or uncertainty, or a young adult feels stuck and unsure of their next steps. I believe therapy should feel collaborative rather than overwhelming and meets each client where they are.
My counseling style is calm, relational, and practical. I draw from evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and play-informed techniques to help clients build emotional awareness, coping skills, and confidence. I place strong emphasis on helping clients understand their thoughts and feelings while learning tools they can apply outside of the session.
I value authenticity, consistency, and compassion in the therapeutic relationship. He believes meaningful change happens when clients feel safe enough to be honest and supported enough to try something new. My goal is to help clients feel more grounded, capable, and hopeful as they move forward.
Therapist Profile: Neurodiverse-affirming, LGBTQIA-affirming, BIPOC-Ally
3 Hobbies: Reading, Art (drawing & clay art), Camping
Areas of Specialization:
OCD-Subtype Profile: Contamination, Family Accommodations, Somatic, Pure-O
Anxiety Profile: Panic Disorder, OCD/Anxiety and Neurodiversity, OCPD/Perfecting Behavior
Specializations: Former ABA therapists, Teens and Young Adults, Men's issues
Aleia Flores MS., Registered Marriage and Family Therapists Intern
Providing In-person session in Fort Walton Beach & Virtually throughout Florida
Sometimes you know exactly what you want to talk about. Other times, you sit down and think, “I honestly don’t even know where to begin.” Both are welcome here.
Hi, I’m Aleia! I work with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families through all different seasons of life. You may be navigating anxiety, stress, relationship or family concerns, parenting, self esteem, a major life change, or simply feeling a little unlike yourself lately. Whatever brings you in, you do not have to have it all figured out before you get here.
My goal is to meet you where you are with curiosity, compassion, and a little humor when it fits. Some weeks we may unpack something you have carried for years. Other weeks, what happened on Tuesday might be the most important thing to talk about. Both belong in therapy. Before becoming a therapist, I worked in healthcare as an EMT, medical assistant, and phlebotomist. Being alongside people in so many different seasons of life shaped something I still strongly believe today: caring for our mental health is normal and necessary, just like caring for our physical health. I earned my master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy with distinction and completed my clinical training in Reno, Nevada. My approach considers the whole person, including your experiences, relationships, family, culture, and environment. I want to understand what life looks like for you so we can find an approach that makes sense for you. My work incorporates relational and systemic therapy, trauma informed care, and principles from the Gottman Method and SPACE-informed methods.
I value connection, consistency, and being someone my clients can count on. When you make the decision to show up for yourself, I want you to know that I will show up for you too.
Wherever you are starting from, we can start there together. If you’re ready to give therapy a try, reach out to schedule a session. Come as you are, and we’ll take it from there. I’m looking
forward to meeting you!
Therapist Profile: Relationship Focused, Trauma Informed, LGBTQIA+ Affirming, Military Family Support, BIPOC Ally
Populations: Children, Adolescents, Adults, Couples, and Families
3 Hobbies:
Baking and trying new recipes
Finding new coffee shops Spin cycling
Areas of Specialization:
Anxiety, Depression, Overthinking and Rumination, Stress and Overwhelm, Intrusive Thoughts, Self Esteem, People Pleasing, Perfectionism, Family Accommodation/SPACE-Informed, ROCD, Harm OCD, Contamination OCD
Jacob Pollock M.S.W., Registered Social Worker Intern
Providing In-person session in Pensacola & Virtually throughout Florida
Hi, I'm Jacob Pollock, a Licensed Social Work Intern with a passion for helping people navigate anxiety and the challenges that come with it. I believe therapy should be a place where you feel understood, supported, and equipped with practical tools to make meaningful changes in your life. My goal is to help you build confidence, develop resilience, and move toward the life you want to live.
I earned my Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan and have received training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
Over the past four years, I've worked in a variety of mental health settings, including schools, where I partnered with students, families, and multidisciplinary teams to support individuals facing complex emotional and behavioral challenges. These experiences have shaped my collaborative and individualized approach to therapy.
My journey into the mental health field began by working with children with special needs, where I discovered how meaningful it is to help people overcome obstacles and recognize their strengths.
Today, I enjoy working with individuals experiencing anxiety and strive to make therapy practical, collaborative, and empowering. Together, we'll focus on developing effective strategies that help you navigate life's challenges with greater confidence and flexibility.
When I'm not in the office, you'll probably find me in the kitchen baking fresh bread or experimenting with a new dessert recipe. I enjoy the creativity and mindfulness that baking brings, and I believe finding moments of joy and balance outside of work is an important part of overall well-being.
Therapist Profile: LGBTQIA-Affirming and BIPOC-Ally
Hobbies: Baking
Areas of Specialization: Children/Teens, Adults, OCD, Anxiety Family Accommodations
OCD-Subtype Profile: TBA
Tia Vera B.A., Intake Coordinator & Student Counselor Intern
Providing In-person session in Fort Walton Beach & Virtually throughout Florida
Tia is a Student Intern completing her graduate training in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She provides counseling services under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional, in accordance with ethical and professional guidelines.
She offers a supportive, non-judgmental space where clients can feel heard, understood, and supported at their own pace. What sets Tia apart is her ability to remain calm, grounded, and deeply present- especially during difficult conversations and high-stress situations.
Tia brings over 8 years of experience from family advocacy and support services, working closely with individuals and families during moments of crisis, transition, and emotional distress. She is skilled in listening beyond the surface, helping clients make sense of overwhelming emotions, and turning chaos into clarity. Clients often appreciate her warm, non-judgmental style and her ability to explain things in a way that feels relatable and empowering.
Tia uses a person-centered, trauma-informed approach grounded in empathy, collaboration, and respect for each client’s lived experience. She integrates evidence-based modalities including Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) perspectives. Tia meets clients where they are and works alongside them to identify strengths, build effective coping skills, and create meaningful, sustainable change. Her style is warm, collaborative, and practical, with a focus on helping clients build insight, coping skills, and confidence. Tia works with adolescents and adults seeking support with:
- Anxiety and stress
- Trauma and difficult life experiences
- Family conflict and relationship challenges
- Life transitions and adjustment concerns
- Crisis and emotional overwhelm
- Self-esteem and emotional regulation
Caitlan Mascolo, B.A., Student Counselor Intern
Hi, I’m Caitlan!
I am a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Intern, passionate about creating a space where individuals can show up as they are, without judgment, pressure, or the feeling that they need to have everything figured out before coming to therapy.
I enjoy working with adults from a wide range of backgrounds, including members of the LGBTQIA+ community. I am especially passionate about supporting individuals who have experienced trauma, anxiety, major life transitions, or periods when life simply feels overwhelming.
Sometimes people come to therapy knowing exactly what they want to work on. Other times, they just know that something doesn’t feel right anymore. Therapy can be a place to begin making sense of it together.
Before beginning my clinical counseling training, I gained extensive experience working in healthcare and behavioral health settings, including crisis intervention, suicide prevention, inpatient psychiatric care, eating disorder treatment, and telehealth. Through these experiences, I have had the privilege of supporting individuals during some of their most vulnerable and overwhelming moments. This background has shaped my ability to remain calm and present during difficult conversations while recognizing that every person’s story and experience is unique.
My counseling style is warm, collaborative, trauma-informed, and person-centered. I believe that clients are the experts on their own lives and that therapy works best when it feels like something we are doing together rather than something being done to you. I strive to understand the whole person, not simply the symptoms or challenges that brought them into therapy.
Our work may involve exploring how past experiences influence the way you think, feel, respond to stress, or connect with others today. We may also focus on developing practical coping skills, strengthening emotional regulation, improving relationships and boundaries, building self-worth, and identifying patterns that no longer serve you. Most importantly, therapy will move at a pace that respects where you are and what you are ready for.
Reaching out for support can feel uncomfortable, especially if you are used to being the person who handles everything on your own. My goal is to provide a genuine, supportive environment where you can feel heard, understood, and safe enough to explore the things that matter to you. You do not need to arrive with everything figured out, we can start wherever you are.
Areas of Interest
- Trauma & Difficult Life Experiences
- Anxiety
- Life Transitions & Adjustment
- Emotional Regulation & Coping Skills
- LGBTQIA+ Affirming Care
- Identity & Personal Growth
- Eating Disorder Recovery & Body Image Concerns
3 Hobbies
- Spending time with my cats
- Crafting
- Reading books
Supporters
Baylee Mares--Billing and Insurance
BayLee is your go to billing guru! If you have questions regarding billing or insurance, She is your place to go! She manages every task with warmth, humor, and a level of care that keeps the practice running smoothly and makes clients feel supported even before they step into a session.
BayLee thrives on making things work. She enjoys creating systems that take the stress out of administrative tasks and loves being the person clients and clinicians can rely on. Whether she is wrangling insurance claims, managing pay, or client billing questions her work ensures that therapy stays focused on what matters most—the people receiving care.
She is approachable, friendly, and ready to be your “Girl Friday,” helping clients navigate the behind-the-scenes side of therapy with ease and confidence. Learn more about working with her here: www.maresadmin.com