MAITLAND OUTPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT PROGRAM

Jessica Perry, RCSWI

Originally from Fort Myers, Florida, Jessica moved to Orlando for college and never looked back. She graduated with a master’s degree in social work. During and after graduate school, she worked with survivors of human trafficking, severe mental health diagnoses and substance abuse diagnoses. She has worked in multiple settings including inpatient mental health hospitals, the Florida Community Assertive Treatment Team, outpatient programs for both substance abuse and mental health, and a nonprofit dedicated to assisting those attempting to escape human trafficking. Jessica takes a strength-based approach with her patients, employing a heavy emphasis on self-forgiveness, self-love and mindfulness. She uses a myriad of therapeutic approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, narrative therapy, solution-focused therapy and meditation. As a therapist, her passion is to facilitate healing for those who have experienced complex trauma.

Marie Chotiner, LMHC

Marie earned her Master of Arts degree in clinical mental health counseling from the University of Central Florida. As a therapist, she has experience counseling in both outpatient and acute inpatient mental health settings. Grounded in an empirical, principle-focused approach, Marie utilizes third wave cognitive behavioral therapies such as acceptance commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure response prevention (ERP). Marie specializes in working with individuals across the lifespan who struggle with anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD) and related disorders, and mood disorders. Marie has presented research at local, national and international conferences on topics such as cognition, sleep hygiene, LGBTQ+ advocacy and surgical education. In her spare time, Marie enjoys gardening, cooking and crafting.

Donald Ford, LMHC, MCAP, TIRF

Donald “Don” Ford is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Master’s Level Addiction Professional in St. Petersburg/Tampa, Florida. He earned his Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University-Tampa. During his career as a psychotherapist, he has focused on diagnosing and treating a variety of clinical symptoms and disorders including substance abuse, process addictions, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, low self-esteem, and personality disorders. He has often treated clients who have experienced persistent and varied emotional and cognitive symptoms resulting from long-term relationship traumas and abuse. Over the years, Donald Ford, LMHC, MCAP has worked with individuals of all ages with severe and persistent psychopathology, including psychosis as well as severe behavioral and relational problems. He has worked in all settings, from private practice to long term residential treatment facilities, as well as psychiatric hospitals. Donald Ford, LMHC, MCAP has developed an appreciation for each client’s unique perspective, needs, and challenges in treatment. He prefers to work in the framework of a Cognitive Behavioral Therapeutic modality, one of the most empirically validated treatment approaches. He also chooses to integrate other theoretical orientations of therapeutic treatment 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 led to the problematic behaviors/thoughts/emotions that made them seek help. Areas of expertise include addiction/substance abuse, trauma, relationships, self-esteem, identity, and communication.

Areas of Interest: Trauma, Substance Abuse, Eating Disorders, LGBTQIA Issues, Depression, Anxiety, Communication, Relationships, Identity, and Behavioral Issues.

Brittany Toro

Brittany graduated from Rollins College with a master’s in clinical mental health counseling. As a clinician, she utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with a person-centered, nonjudgmental and empathetic approach. Brittany also utilizes existential theory to empower patients to create or redefine meaning and purpose in life. She enjoys incorporating mindfulness and self-compassion in her practice and is passionate about eliminating shame and stigma surrounding mental health. Brittany has experience in the acute inpatient setting working with individuals in crisis, specifically with the dual diagnosis/substance use population. In her free time, she enjoys CrossFit, water polo, spending time with friends and family, and taking her dogs to the park.

Veronica Breaux

Veronica’s first experience with mental health was interning at a hospital working with geriatric psych patients. She has a bachelor’s in sociology and a master’s in counseling. Veronica has a background in targeted case management, psychological education and consulting. Her professional interests involve education on adoption and foster care trauma. She holds a certification in adoption competency and level I sandtray therapy.