J. Michael Blackston (Test)
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
For nearly twenty years I have been counseling individuals and couples who know the pain of disconnection with themselves or each other and want to change that. The source of this disconnection varies. Maybe it's an affair or the busy demands of life that have created distance in a relationship. It could be an active addiction, work stressors or an untreated mental health issue like anxiety or depression that has left a person feeling alone and without purpose. The disconnection may stem from the effects of unprocessed trauma and attachment ruptures in the past that shape the way a person feels or acts today.
The counseling room offers a safe space to recover (or discover) a meaningful connection with self and others. I know because I've experienced it firsthand. As someone who regularly sits on the other side of the chair, I have gained an understanding of how the pain in my own story resulted in coping strategies that were disconnecting me from myself and those I love. Better yet, I gained a roadmap for transformation that involved both truth and connection. My work with individuals and couples blends together attachment theory and story work, somatic and interpersonal neurobiology, spirituality and 12 step recovery. I offer hourly sessions or intensive packages for more concentrated focus.
My wife Rachel and I started Redeemer Counseling in 2011. Her feminine wisdom and strength alongside her knack for playfulness and spontaneity are daily reminders to me that there is a good God. I have the wild, amazing adventure of raising three daughters. I love traveling to see a new Broadway show in New York City or encountering a grizzly bear at Glacier National Park, reading, and playing 2x2 basketball on the driveway with my girls.
Area of Specialization
My specialities include story work, trauma and abuse recovery, couples counseling, and sexual addiction and recovery. I also enjoy doing deeper shadow work with men to help them acknowledge and integrate disowned and destructive thoughts, feelings, attitudes, motivations and behaviors that cause harm to themselves and their relationships.
Philosophy and Approach
My work with individuals and couples blends together attachment and story work, somatic and interpersonal neurobiology, spirituality and 12 step recovery. I offer either hourly sessions or intensive packages for more concentrated focus.
Education Background
Master's of Arts in Counseling at Reformed Theological Seminary Orlando.
Professional Memberships
American Association of Christian Counselors, New Life Ministries Counselor Network, Camaraderie Foundation Counselor
Certifications, Trainings, Workshops
Trauma-focused Narrative Therapy Advanced Counseling Certificate through The Allender Center, EMDR, Prepare-Enrich assessment for couples, Qualified Supervisor for interns pursuing licensure in the State of Florida.
Cassidy Kozusko
Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern
Cassidy believes that healing means becoming more wholehearted and broadening one’s capacity to give and receive love. Cassidy believes that each person is created with innate dignity and that healing involves deepening our relationship with God, self and others. Her work of counseling addresses barriers to giving and receiving love or becoming ourselves. This involves space to process our stories of past trauma or suffering. In order to do this, Cassidy seeks to create space in the counseling room where clients feel connected, safe, and free to move at their own pace. Cassidy operates from a relational, trauma-informed, and emotionally-focused framework.
Cassidy has a passion for working with people who are struggling in their important relationships. She works with couples seeking help escaping negative patterns of interacting, individuals suffering the heartaches of relational strife or divorce, or teens and parents who are having trouble connecting in a new stage of life. She also has a heart for helping individuals who suffer from anxiety, depression, or the lasting effects of childhood trauma.
Before becoming a counselor, Cassidy worked as a middle and high school English teacher in Orlando, Florida and Richmond, Virginia. She has a BA in English from the University of Florida and a MA in Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary. In her free time, she enjoys meeting friends over a cup of coffee or getting outside with her husband, Luke, and her very active toddler-age son.
Colby Wilkins
Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern
Colby believes every client has a story to tell. Yet often the most important stories of our lives get buried, go untold, and become the source of great pain and loneliness. Colby hopes to come alongside and cultivate a non-judgmental, courageous, and collaborative space for clients to explore and name the story they are living in. Moving curiously through one's story with a compassionate witness can bring immense freedom and a renewed sense of wholeness and agency.
Colby enjoys working with adults and teens with a variety of struggles. He utilizes evidence-based treatments, specializing in anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, family/relationship issues, military-related issues, and spiritual abuse.
Colby earned his B.A. in Philosophy from Covenant College and his M.Div. and M.A. in Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary. He brings with him a decade of pastoral and chaplain experience. His interests include spending time with his wife and kids, sipping on coffee, cheering on the Orlando City soccer club, drawing, and figuring out how to play his favorite songs on the guitar.
Sarah Born
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Sarah is trained in a relational style of counseling and uses a variety of theoretical approaches tailored to the uniqueness of each client’s personality and circumstance. Sarah is passionate about providing a comfortable and safe environment that enables individuals to feel welcomed and accepted. She enjoys working with adolescents, adults, couples and families. Sarah works with a variety of issues including physical, sexual and emotional abuse, depression, anxiety, self-harm and relationship conflict.
Sarah graduated with her Master’s degree in Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary. She loves life and embraces the adventures of each new day.
Rachel Blackston
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Rachel considers the counseling room a sacred space where deep heart change occurs. She specializes in working with women with a history of trauma and abuse as well as those struggling with infertility and sexual betrayal. Rachel is trained in EMDR, an evidenced-based therapy in the treatment of trauma. She is also a Florida Qualified Supervisor for registered mental health counseling interns.
Outside of the counseling room, Rachel serves as an Adjunct Faculty member at Reformed Theological Seminary and writes regularly for the blog Red Tent Living. She speaks frequently on topics around story, attachment styles in marriage, and the Enneagram. Rachel’s deepest joy is being with her husband and their three daughters, who are priceless gifts after several years of infertility. Rachel loves connecting with friends over a cup of dark roast, beating her husband in miniature golf, and exploring the beauty of the North Carolina mountains.
J. Michael Blackston
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Michael has a passion to help others pursue wholeness in life. Through his relational yet practical approach, he specializes in trauma and abuse recovery, relationship issues, and gender and sexuality issues including working with men dealing with sexual integrity issues. He has been trained in EMDR, an evidence-based therapy for treating trauma. Michael is a Qualified Supervisor for those seeking licensure as mental health counselors in Florida.
Michael graduated with his Master’s degree in Counseling at Reformed Theological Seminary. He has also completed an Advanced Counseling Certificate under Dan Allender where he was trained in utilizing trauma-focused narrative therapy with survivors of abuse. He speaks frequently with his wife Rachel on issues related to story, sexuality and marriage. He enjoys lightsaber jousting with his daughters, long-distance running, and playing the piano.
Gaye Butler
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Gaye understands that we are all confronted with life transitions, relational struggles, and personal suffering at some time in our lives. She is deeply committed to helping people address relationship problems, make sense of difficult moments and events, and gain a greater sense of peace and hope. Gaye enjoys working with individuals of all ages, couples, and families. Couples therapy is her specialty and she has completed Gottman Level 1, 2, and 3 training and uses the Gottman method in her practice. Additionally, Gaye has trained in EMDR and works with individuals who have experienced trauma. Her desire is to provide a respectful, safe, and compassionate environment for her clients.
Gaye graduated with her Master’s Degree in Counseling from Reformed Theological having returned to school after many years dedicated to raising her five daughters and two sons with her husband of 35 years and participating in ministry in her local church. She enjoys speaking in the community on topics related to parenting, marriage, and personal development. Gaye loves any activity that includes friends, but is particularly fond of travel, shows about zombies, quilting, and a good glass of wine.
Heather Vaughn
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Heather believes that healing starts with establishing a safe place to explore buried emotions and hidden thoughts where honesty and vulnerability open the door to growth and change. Heather helps her clients discover and name their dignity as they excavate the true self behind their defenses and coping styles. She is motivated by the concept of neuroplasticity, the belief that our brains can actually change and grow through the therapeutic process. Heather is trained in EMDR, an evidence-based therapy used to treat trauma. Heather enjoys working with couples and has completed the Level 3 Practicum Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. She also enjoys working with adoptive families as a TBRI Practitioner. She specializes in working with clients who struggle with trauma, abuse, depression, anxiety, ministry burnout, transition and parenting. She enjoys working with couples, individuals, families, and children. Heather is also available for individual or couple intensives.
Heather brings 20 years of experience in overseas missions and church ministry to the counseling room. She earned her Master’s degree in Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary. Heather understands the joys and struggles of marriage and parenting. She delights in her husband of over 25 years and together they have four amazing children. She loves playing games with her family, walking her dogs, admiring spectacular Florida sunsets, and feeling the sand beneath her feet.
Ashleigh McLeod
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Ashleigh is passionate about helping individuals and families discover a deeper sense of who they are. She enjoys coming alongside her clients and offering hope and healing in places where they feel stuck. Ashleigh creates a strong connection with her clients which she believes is foundational for facilitating growth and change. She enjoys working with individuals dealing with relational struggles, burnout, trauma, sexual issues, anxiety, and depression. Ashleigh is also trained in EMDR.
After serving in ministry in California for nearly ten years, Ashleigh earned her M.A. in Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary. While the west coast feels like home, she is finding joy and adventure in exploring the Orlando area and discovering the best places to sip on a warm cup of coffee, and as a foodie, the best non-chain restaurants.
Amy Shiver
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Amy is dedicated to helping individuals find hope, healing, and restoration. With years of experience in youth and women’s church ministry, she brings a deep understanding and compassion to her counseling practice. Amy specializes in working with adolescents, women, men, and couples who face challenges such as anxiety, depression, life transitions, and relationship issues. She employs an integrative theoretical approach, tailoring her methods to suit each individual’s unique circumstances and needs.
Amy holds a Master’s degree in Counseling from Webster University and a Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of West Georgia. She understands the joys and struggles of marriage and parenting, having been married to her husband for over 26 years. Together, they have three amazing children.
In her free time, Amy enjoys traveling with her family, reading, playing pickleball, walking her dogs, hiking in the mountains, and embarking on other adventures.
Rey Rivera
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Rey’s hope is that his clients feel fully known and accepted. He believes that change occurs when clients become aware of the emotions and underlying compulsions undergirding their choices in life. He works with individuals, couples and adolescents and specializes in working with trauma, sexual abuse, depression, anxiety, grief, men’s issues, relationship struggles and spirituality. As a Certified Birkman Consultant, Rey uses personality assessments to help his clients deal with life transitions, such as going to college or changing careers. He also uses assessments to increase understanding between couples and promote efficiency among professional teams. Rey understands the vulnerability it takes to seek counseling and hopes to honor the courage of his clients by providing a safe and intentional therapeutic relationship.
Rey was born and raised in Puerto Rico before his family moved to Orlando. He received his B.S. in Psychology from the University of Central Florida and his M.A. in Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary. Rey is most grateful for the gift of his wife Holly and son Micah. When not spending quality time with his family, he enjoys working out, reading and playing guitar. Rey ofrece servicios en español.
Angela Burleigh
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Angela’s heart as a counselor is to walk alongside people during difficult periods of their lives —helping them hold on to hope for true healing as they navigate the hurts, habits, and hang-ups that cause them to feel stuck. She’s had to do lots of difficult work in her own spiritual and emotional journey, and can appreciate how exhausting, confusing, and intimidating this process can be.
Angela takes a holistic approach to counseling by looking at how God designed our physical, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual natures to interact with each other. She has experience with a variety of areas including singleness, phase of life issues, codependency, spiritual numbness, depression, anger, anxiety, trauma, miscarriage, relationship stress, and marriage conflict. She draws from several counseling methodologies like Relational/Narrative Therapy, Existential Therapy, EMDR, Neuroscience, Mindfulness, Play Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Angela received her master’s degree in counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary in Oviedo, and is also trained to use EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) and administer the PREPARE/ENRICH couples assessment tool.
When she’s not counseling, Angela loves reading a good story, sipping strong coffee, and going on adventures. Before she was married, that included traipsing the world doing cross-cultural mission work. Now, as a wife of a fun-loving elementary school teacher and mother of two rambunctious little ones, it’s morphed into trips to the zoo, science center, and a good hiking trail.
Lauren Dyches
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Lauren comes alive when she helps her clients discover their God-given worth and identity. She creates a safe space where each client feels accepted while pursuing emotional, physical, and spiritual wholeness. Lauren experienced significant childhood trauma and is familiar with the way trauma impacts our hearts, bodies, minds and intimate relationships. She has also experienced meaningful healing through counseling and believes freedom comes through being known, loved and accepted within a healthy relationship. Lauren is called to work with clients struggling through hopelessness, shame, abuse, anxiety, burnout, trauma, depression, and family and relational issues. Lauren is also trained in EMDR.
Originally from the Chicago area, Lauren received her undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa. After graduation, she moved to Miami and worked for a campus ministry with Hispanic and Latino students for ten years. Lauren feels a sense of home within Hispanic and Latino culture and has a deep love for working cross-culturally. Lauren met her husband in Miami before moving to Orlando to obtain a Masters of Arts in Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary. She misses Chicago style pizza and still cheers for the Iowa Hawkeyes. She enjoys lifting weights, watching 90’s movies, and spending time with her husband and son.
Elizabeth Aulds
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Elizabeth recognizes how much strength and bravery it takes to engage in the counseling process. She is passionate about walking alongside youth and adults to help them experience healing from struggles related to traumatic experiences, anxiety, depression, and life transitions. She specializes in working with children, adolescents, and women who have experienced trauma and abuse.
She was previously on staff with a ministry for over a decade working with middle and high school students. Elizabeth has been trained in adoption competency and serves as a Qualified Supervisor in the state of Florida for registered mental health counseling interns.
Elizabeth graduated with her Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Palm Beach Atlantic University. Outside of counseling, Elizabeth is actively engaged in her church, enjoys spending time with friends, her energetic dog Ari, and traveling to the mountains to hike and revel in the beauty of creation.
Katie Finkbeiner
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Katie has experienced significant healing and freedom in her own counseling journey and is eager to partner with her clients as they explore their own stories. Katie uses a relational approach to counseling, tailoring each session to meet the client’s individual needs. She believes that healing occurs as people experience the freedom to risk vulnerability. Katie enjoys working with children, adolescents, adults, and families. She has experience in counseling individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, abuse, relationship difficulties including Relationship OCD and relationship anxiety, attachment wounds, grief, and life transitions. Katie is also passionate about using Sand Tray Therapy to help clients explore their stories and experiences.
Katie grew up in Orlando, and she received her undergraduate degree from Davidson College in North Carolina. After graduation, Katie moved to Haiti and worked in a children’s home and school. Before earning her Master of Arts in Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Katie worked as an elementary school Spanish and Haitian Creole translator and teaching assistant. When she is not in the counseling room, Katie loves cooking with her husband, playing board games with family and friends, swing dancing, and practicing guitar.
Kat Wilkins
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Kat seeks to create a safe, non-judgemental space for her clients. She believes that every person is created by God with dignity and worth, yet trauma and suffering often leaves individuals questioning their worth, beauty, and purpose.
Her style of counseling includes establishing a safe, collaborative relationship that is warm, respectful, and mutually open to feedback. She uses evidence-based treatments within a Christian framework while focusing on a holistic approach. She works with a variety of clients, specializing in trauma, Complex PTSD, spiritual abuse, anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, family/intimate relationships, and spirituality.
Kat earned her BA in English from Covenant College and her MA in Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary. She has received training in trauma-informed practices, EMDR, Bowen Family Systems Theory, and Polyvagal Theory.
Kat recently relocated to Orlando, FL from Kansas City, MO. Previously, she lived in Indonesia, Taiwan, Toronto, Washington DC, & Austin, TX. She has over ten years of ministry and counseling experience. Her interests include travel, books, spending time with her husband & two kids (ages 7 and 4), interior decorating, and advocating on behalf of spiritual abuse survivors/victims.
Paul Wheatley
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Paul’s passion for the field of counseling has been deeply impacted by his own journey. After a season of devastating loss, he sought counseling when he realized his work life, and relationships were being impacted by the deep sadness and confusion that he was holding inside. His time in therapy helped him heal and start putting the pieces of his life back in order and sparked a deep joy and gratitude that led him to enter the field. Paul later earned a M.S. in counseling from Palm Beach Atlantic University.
Paul works with individuals and couples, as well as provides family counseling to adults, adolescents, and children. His approach is to create an open and safe environment centered on the client where their story can be shared, received, and affirmed without judgment. He considers it a privilege to help his clients walk through difficult times in their lives. Whether it is anxiety/depression, relationship/marriage issues, the loss of a loved one, unresolved trauma, sexual/pornography issues and addictions, career challenges/changes, self-esteem issues, or the unique challenges that come with being an adolescent or young adult, he would love the opportunity to spend the time working with you toward healing and change. Paul has been married for 35 years and enjoys spending time with his wife and three adult daughters.
Shannon Witt
Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
Shannon has a passion to walk with her clients in places where suffering and brokenness have left their mark, leaving them isolated, ashamed, and without hope. Her deepest desire is to create a safe space where her clients will be welcomed and wanted. Through her own counseling journey, Shannon knows it takes a lot of courage to trust a therapist and explore one’s own story. She has experienced deep healing and restoration through the counseling process herself. Shannon is committed to creating a trusting therapeutic relationship where anxiety, depression, shame, relational problems, struggles with spirituality, life transition, ministry burnout, loss, body image issues, and the impact of trauma can be brought into the light and explored.
Shannon brings 10 years of experience to Redeemer where she mentored college women through a campus ministry. She has a unique calling to meet with women recovering from body image issues, trauma, and ministry burnout. She is also dedicated to working with couples seeking a deeper connection. Shannon graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from Michigan State University and an M.A. in Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary. Shannon is originally from Detroit, MI and has lived in Orlando for the past 8 years. She enjoys spending time with her adventurous hubby Logan and her daughter Noelle. When she’s not in the counseling room, you can find her running, hiking, knee deep in a DIY project, or singing her heart to Jesus.
Anna Kynast
Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
Anna is committed to walking with clients as they engage their stories and move towards greater wholeness, providing a space for them to be seen and heard. She believes that as humans we are whole beings, created by God with dignity and complexity in mind, body, and soul. In light of this, her goal is to create a safe and welcoming environment for clients to explore their stories, learn about themselves, and experience flourishing in their move toward greater emotional, physical, and spiritual health.
Anna is interested in working with individuals, couples, and groups dealing with relational struggles, life transitions, cross-cultural adjustment, spirituality, family-of-origin issues, abuse, and trauma.
Originally from the mountains of western North Carolina, Anna holds a Bachelor’s degree in Global Studies from Appalachian State University and a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary. Prior to joining the staff at Redeemer, Anna worked with international student homestay programs around the country, as well as in ministry with Reformed University Fellowship at Davidson College. Outside of the counseling room, Anna loves to do freelance graphic design as a creative outlet, as well as write, travel, and discover local restaurants with her husband, Tim.
Dav Bergmark
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Dav is interested in helping clients heal from past heart wounds and develop skills to live well. He believes that by discovering the truth about the past and by giving attention to ourselves as relational beings we take steps toward a flourishing life. In his mind a well lived life is not only about surviving but about thriving through developing healthy routines with habits that foster strong character. Dav enjoys working with couples and adults and has special interests in helping parents of special needs children. In addition to adults and families, he also enjoys coming alongside teenagers who are dealing with broken relationships, unfulfilling lives, burnout, anxiety, and depression.
Dav has a Bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a Master of Divinity. Most recently he received a Master’s degree in Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary. For 20 years, Dav served as a church planter and pastor in his home country of Sweden. Since moving to Florida he has replaced his snowboard with a Onewheel and also enjoys spending time with his wife and three children.
