Licensed Counselor/Owner

Hello, I’m a Licensed Counselor, Business owner, Husband, Father, Soccer Coach, Entrepreneur, Runner, and nature enthusiast. I received my Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Eastern University in St. Davids, Pennsylvania, while also pursuing my ordination in ministry within the Church of the Brethren. My post-higher educational experience has led me to explore more deeply the mind-body connection through such certifications as Schema Therapy, addictions, trauma, and integrative medicine.

I offer outpatient mental health services for those needing emotional, mental, or psychological support. I have worked within community mental health, community addictions, and private practice fields of counseling. I also offer spiritual direction and faith support for those seeking guidance in that area of their life.

In my work with adolescents and adults, I seek to provide a safe place to explore any insecurity or struggle so that fear and pain does not need to be faced alone. Utilizing both cognitive and schema counseling techniques, I strive to provide effective and authentic interventions to promote positive change and movement towards health and wellness in your life.

joshua@emeraldcoasttherapeutics.com

850.583.1497 (FL)

484.533.7104 (PA)

Registered Clinical Social Work Intern

I have a passion for helping the local community. I have called the Emerald Coast home for over thirty years and counts it as a blessing to raise my family where I grew up. I have completed both my bachelor’s and master’s degree in clinical social work at the University of West Florida.

My education and experiences include work in the U.S. Veterans Affairs Hospital and VA outpatient care clinic, community medical care, and with homelessness and housing insecurity outreach. I have experience working with a diverse population and understand community needs. I also understand the needs of adults and families who experience pain and suffering due to chronic illnesses, anxiety, grief, depression, substance abuse and trauma.

I uses a holistic and strength-based approach focusing on the whole self, mind and body, to ease daily stressors and relieve ongoing symptoms clients may be experiencing. I believe in creating a relationship-based therapeutic alliance by walking alongside clients on their journey to hope and healing.

“Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”

– J. K. Rowling

“It’s a privilege to be able to bear witness to someone’s story when they may not have had the chance to tell it before”

- Lindy Alexander

Stephanie@emeraldcoasttherapeutics.com

850.696.7506

Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern

I am a licensed mental health counselor registered-intern. I graduated with my master’s degree in mental health counseling from Troy University in May 2024.

I have a heart that resonates with the challenges individuals, parents, and couples face, and a commitment to help those seeking emotional healing and healthier relationships. I have a passion for helping clients overcome challenges related to anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties.

I work with children, teenagers, adults and couples. My approach to counseling is deeply informed by attachment theory, which underscores the significance of early relationships in shaping an individual's emotional development. Recognizing that secure attachments provide a foundation for healthy relationships, she adeptly guides her clients through processes of self-discovery, fostering resilience and emotional regulation. Through empathetic listening and skillful guidance, I assist clients in identifying and healing attachment wounds, enabling them to cultivate more secure connections with themselves and others.

I have a passion for empowering couples to navigate challenges in their relationships and deepen their emotional bonds. I facilitate open and honest dialogues that lead to emotional vulnerability and the creation of more secure and fulfilling partnerships.

I understand that taking the steps to begin counseling can be vulnerable and intimidating, and so I work to create a safe, inviting and comforting environment where clients can explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences at their own pace. Drawing from my theoretical knowledge and practical skills, I tailor interventions that address each client's unique needs, fostering healing and personal growth.

I am currently accepting clients in person or telehealth in Florida under the supervision of Joshua Hostetter, MA LMHC.

Sarah@emeraldcoasttherapeutics.com

850.270.3212

Intake Coordinator & Registered Clinical Social Work Intern

Chelsea is a relatable and thoughtful therapist with over ten years of experience working in mental health. She believes in a holistic approach when working with her clients, considering life experiences, relationships, nutrition, exercise, and genetic components that contribute to their mental health needs. She commonly works with anxiety, ADHD, ASD, depression, self-esteem issues, trauma, and family and relationship conflict.

When working with adults, Chelsea builds relationships through safety and trust while also acknowledging the importance of challenging her clients through deep self reflection. Working from her holistic approach, she integrates dialectical behavior therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, schema therapy, and other research-based techniques. Common goals of Chelsea’s clients include learning how to rest without guilt, strengthening current relationships, processing relationship endings, decreasing stress, identifying unhelpful thoughts, understanding behavior patterns, building confidence and self-worth, increasing parental support, and addressing many other common concerns.

Chelsea believes in working with the family unit so parents feel supported and empowered in leading their children toward happiness and self worth. Using her holistic approach, she includes child-centered play therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, yoga, and mindfulness techniques that lead to effective outcomes in improving children’s experiences and behaviors. Chelsea’s goals in working with children include encouraging reflection, independence, confidence, emotional regulation, and the development of coping skills in order to support resilience. Chelsea provides a safe space and tools for children and teens to grow into joyful and successful adults, while also supporting their parents along the way.

Chelsea earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Hawai‘i and her Master’s degree from Florida State University. Having lived in both California and Hawai‘i, she now calls the Emerald Coast home, bringing with her a blend of experience, education, and cultural competence. Chelsea enjoys hiking, being out on the water, and spending time with her family.

chelsea@emeraldcoasttherapeutics.com

Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern

With over 15 years of behavioral health experience, Jennifer Weaver is a compassionate and supportive professional with a strong background in providing individual, group, and family therapy in diverse settings, including detox, inpatient, outpatient, and non-profit settings. Jennifer is proficient in developing and implementing evidence-based therapeutic interventions for individuals with a range of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, trauma, interpersonal relationship issues, and grief. Jennifer’s long history in substance use disorder work also provides her with a thoughtful, holistic approach and unique perspective to those individuals seeking recovery strategies. Jennifer has a deep commitment to help individuals work towards personal growth and recovery.

Jennifer recognizes the courage it takes to show vulnerability and helps create space to build safety and trust with her clients. Jennifer works with clients to consider questions such as “Are the behaviors I am engaging in currently bringing me closer to my goals or moving me further away?” or “What belief system about myself is keeping me engaged in repeated patterns of behaviors?”

Graduating with both her Master’s in Counseling and Bachelor’s in Psychology from The University of Memphis, she is a passionate Memphis Tigers and Chicago Cubs fan. Growing up in rural West Tennessee and living most of her life in Memphis, TN, Jennifer now calls the Emerald Coast home with her husband Brad. When they aren’t watching sports, you can find them traveling to visit family and friends, and loving on their beloved dog, Wrigley. She looks forward to this journey with you.

Jennifer is a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern under the supervision of Joshua Hostetter, MA, LMHC.

Jennifer@emeraldcoasttherapeutics.com

850.270.7508

Graduate Intern

Ansley Wright is a graduate student completing her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Thomas University. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Georgia.

Ansley is passionate about supporting children, adolescents, and young adults, and she strives to create a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space where clients feel seen, understood, and empowered. She is a trauma-informed clinician whose work is grounded in attachment theory, helping clients explore early relational patterns to build emotional regulation, resilience, and secure connections with themselves and others.

Ansley integrates a holistic, mind-body approach into her work, drawing from her experience as a certified fitness instructor. She recognizes the deep connection between physical and mental wellness, and incorporates daily habits such as movement, grounding techniques, and mindful nutrition as part of a comprehensive approach to care.

Her work with young clients includes creative, play-based, and experiential interventions, along with evidence-based approaches such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to support emotional regulation and coping skill development. She collaborates closely with parents and caregivers to enhance family communication, support behavior change, and foster deeper emotional connections at home.

Ansley’s personal experiences have shaped her deep empathy and commitment to the counseling field. She is honored to walk alongside clients as they heal, grow, and connect with their strengths.

Ansley is currently accepting clients under the supervision of Joshua Hostetter, MA, LMHC.

Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern

 Ashley O'Hara is a Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern in the state of Florida. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of North Georgia and her Master’s degree in School Counseling from Capella University. In addition to her clinical practice, Ashley currently serves as a school counselor, giving her a unique understanding of the academic, social, and emotional pressures faced by today’s youth and their families. Her background in both education and mental health allows her to support clients with insight, practicality, and compassion.

Ashley primarily practices from a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) framework and is committed to ongoing professional development, regularly exploring additional therapeutic modalities to meet the diverse needs of her clients. She works with teenagers, young adults, adults, and families, providing support for anxiety, stress, life transitions, identity development, school and career pressures, and relational challenges. Ashley’s therapeutic style is warm, supportive, and collaborative, and she strives to create a safe space where clients can explore their experiences and move toward healthier emotional and interpersonal patterns.

Her approach is grounded in the belief—echoing the words of Carl Rogers—that “the good life is a process, not a state of being.” Ashley works alongside clients as they navigate that process, helping them build resilience, strengthen relationships, and move toward meaningful personal growth. She offers both in-person and telehealth sessions in Florida under the supervision of Joshua Hostetter, MA, LMHC.

ashley@emeraldcoasttherapeutics.com

850.273.8316