DOCTORS & THERAPISTS

Alessana Fordin, MS, LMHC, MFT is a licensed psychotherapist specializing in treating individuals, couples and groups. She maintains a group practice, LOTUS COUNSELING CENTER in Miami, as well as, Aventura and Boca Raton in Florida.

Alessana works either in a more traditional 'psychodynamic' and/or 'self-psychology' orientation (helping clients to link the unconscious to the conscious and identify those behaviors that are not working for them) or in a more 'solution-focused' perspective--getting results and moving sessions along quickly. No matter which orientation--'I give feedback and am warm, clear and supportive.'
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Qualified Supervisor

(English / Español)

Olga Capriata, LCSW, is a dynamic, results-oriented, bilingual Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years experience in treating children, adolescents, adults and couples. Olga has dedicated herself to assisting individuals, couples and families to achieve their greatest emotional well-being by using their inner strengths and capabilities. Her approach is collaborative and goal-oriented utilizing strategies from family systems, Cognitive-Behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic and play therapy.

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Tara Kellogg, LMFT, CTP, is a licensed psychotherapist and certified telehealth practitioner with over 25 years of clinical experience. Tara received her bachelor’s degree from Castleton University in 1994 and her Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University in 1998. She specializes in individual and family counseling and has dedicated her career to family preservation and trauma-related stressors disorders. Tara is a nationally certified therapist for Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT), as well as a Qualified Florida State Supervisor.

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Life can bring a number of challenges that can cause us to feel out of balance, through therapy, you can begin to make positive and lasting changes, leading you to a greater sense of fulfillment. My job is to help you to understand yourself and what you need, utilize your strengths, learn new tools and/or how to effectively use tools you have, work through your problems, and ultimately find balance and fulfillment. I have a doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, and 12 years of therapy practice and assessment experience. Every year, I become more certain that I could not have chosen a more suitable path. It is my mission in life to help others fulfill their life’s purpose. More often than not, this requires mental and emotional healing and behavioral change. The passion that I have stems from my first-hand knowledge of the astounding ability people have to transcend extreme difficulties. I believe that most are capable of working through emotional pain and interpersonal conflict.

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I am a Psychotherapist specializing in individual and couples therapy. I received my BA from the State University of New York at Binghamton, and my Masters in Social Work from Columbia University School of Social Work in New York. In addition to my education, training, and professional background, I bring a substantial breadth of life experience to my practice. This has enhanced my ability to help others address a wide range of issues.

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Jonathan Closner is a clinical and therapeutic mental health counselor who has been serving his community for over 15 years.  As a therapist, he uses clinical interventions and techniques that are personalized for each individual client.  He has extensive training and experience in evidenced based treatments such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).  He is also skilled in the use of Brief Therapy techniques such as Solution Focused Therapy and Narrative Therapy.  In addition to individual therapy techniques, Jonathan is also trained in Clinical Systems Counseling; approaches he uses with couples and families.

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(English/Spanish)

Dr. Beda Bjorn, MS, LMHC, has been in practice for six years in the clinical field. She has received her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of South Florida, Master's of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Capella University. Dr. Bjorn specializes in treating trauma-PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorders by integrating trauma-focused treatment, cognitive-behavioral models,  dialectical behavioral techniques, motivational interviewing, and client-centered humanistic approaches to therapy. 

There are times when we may feel 'stuck,' which can be a struggling experience. Her passion is to support clients to develop healthier and satisfying lifestyles by using strategies that help them get 'unstuck.'  

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(English/Español)

Mr. Alvaro Domenech, LCSW is a Qualified Clinical Supervisor with over 27 years of progressive experience in Clinical Social Work, Management and Leadership. Mr. Domenech earned his Masters Degree in Social Work from Barry University in 1995. In that same year Mr. Domenech was hired as an adjunct professor to teach and subsequently coordinate the Divorce program at Miami Dade College where he taught for over 25 years. He retired from The Institute for Child and Family Health, ICFH (formerly known as Children's Psychiatric Center) after 20 years of service in December of 2015. From January 2016 to present, he is acting Clinical Director of a local Community Mental Health Center in Miami. 

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Alexandra Vavoulis is a licensed mental health counselor. Alexandra received a Bachelors degree in Economics from Texas Christian University and then continued on to receive her Masters degree in Counseling from California State University Fullerton. Alexandra has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. 

In her traineeship, she worked as a school based therapists with elementary and middle school clients. In this setting Alexandra saw a diverse population presenting with anxiety, depression, and behavioral difficulties. 

After graduation, Alexandra pursued a career in Eating Disorder treatment. She worked as a primary therapist at Center for Discovery and Oliver Pyatt Centers where she gained experience in the residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient level of care.

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Making the choice to seek help is not an easy one. Life can get overwhelming to the point that we feel stuck; being unable to make the changes we want. My goal is to empower clients in regaining the confidence and self-worth needed to live a more fulfilling life.

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. I have a Bachelor’s degree from University of Central Florida and a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Florida International University. I worked as a therapist and then Clinical Director in substance abuse treatment for 6 years. During this time I was specialized in working with couples and individuals with issues related to trauma, relationship conflict, behavioral addiction, substance abuse, PTSD, sexual trauma, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and codependency.

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(English/Español)

Cristina Behrens-Soulavy, is a fully bilingual, Licensed Psychotherapist and Mental Health services provider specialized in coaching, individual and couples therapy. Her primary areas of interest include, but are not limited to, self-exploration, lack of motivation, anxiety, low performance, relationship distress, life transitions, pregnancy issues and parenting. With an eclectic style and through a psychoanalytic lens, Cristina attentively listens to her clients, placing insightful questions that promote self-exploration. Using a smart sense of humor and strategies from different approaches such as EFT, CBT, solution focused and positive psychology, Cristina guides her clients to promote awareness, acceptance, and understanding of feelings and dynamics to become active participants in their own lives. 

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(English / Mandarin Chinese)

Xinyan Yu (Cindy) is a bilingual Registered Marriage and Family Therapy Intern, she has a Master’s degree (Summa Cum Laude) in Marriage and Family Therapy and is currently pursuing her PhD degree in Family Therapy at Nova Southeastern University.  Cindy believes that each client is comprised of unique yet charismatic components such as personal upbringings, religious beliefs, and cultural backgrounds, that all contribute to narrate a cohesive personal story. 

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Björn Sveinsson is a Registered Clinical Mental Health Counselor Intern who has completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in the same community that raised him: South Florida. For Björn, the present moment is the means of service and legacy for the client. Björn has experience working with comorbid preteens to geriatric populations relating to LGBTQIA+, cultural, gender-specific, substance-use, identity-formation, and dual diagnostic areas of life.

This includes his time as an interventionist within a Title-1 Miami-Dade public middle school, providing dynamic social-emotional English interventions for a diverse background of students. Ranging specific populations such as Afro-Caribbean to students on the gender spectrum, Björn believes in meeting these young souls with the safe space they may not have elsewhere. 

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Gessica (pronounced 'Jessica') Presken is a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. 

Gessica is welcoming, genuine, and creates a non-judgmental, compassionate space for all her clients. Gessica believes clients are the experts of their subjective experiences, making them the ones who truly know how a situation may have been felt and understood. Gessica is here to listen, support, and validate her clients experiences and feelings. In addition, Gessica empowers her clients to make decisions and changes in order to progress, reach self-acceptance, and achieve meaningful outcomes. Overall, she believes that the counseling relationship is a collaborative one, in which the counselor and client work together to reach  identified objectives and goals.

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(English / Español)

Tammy Vazquez, RMHC-I is a bilingual registered clinician. Tammy believes that relationships are essential and there are relationships out there for everyone whether it’s lifelong, romantic, temporary, friendly, professionally, platonic, etc., and the best ones can appear in your life when you least expect it.  “In relationships, it’s important to accept that as much as someone may love and accept you, they are allowed to have negative thoughts and emotions towards you, too!” Tammy guides individuals and couples to better communication skills, reach couple's dream goals, enhance intimacy and connection, establishing boundaries, learning to forgive, and exploring new couples' ideas.

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Ziji is a registered clinician from New York who received her M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University, and her B.A. in Neuroscience from Smith College.

Ziji spent fifteen years at wellness retreat centers, part of which she built live CE training workshops on topics including Mindfulness (MBSR), Acceptance (ACT), Self-compassion (MBSC), Trauma (EMDR), and couples work, with world-renowned leaders in the field. Ziji brings a holistic perspective to her sessions.

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(English / Español)

Sharon Matson is a bilingual registered MFT-I. Sharon believes that creating a trusting therapeutic relationship is of utmost importance to a positive treatment outcome. Using a collaborative approach, she takes the time to get to know her clients, and appreciates each client for their individuality. Although she tailors therapy to the individuality of each client, her preferred approaches to therapy are Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Mindfulness, and Person-Centered Therapy.
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Addison is an RMFT-I with a double Master’s in Psychology. Addison is a graduate of The University of Miami, Florida State University, and Longwood University. 

Addison is trained in individual, couple, and family therapy. She believes in a dynamic approach to psychotherapy, and she is dedicated to understanding each person in their entirety. 

Through working with Addison, clients will be encouraged to gently investigate their relationships, family dynamics, and their subconscious. 

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(English/Hebrew)

Dana works to create a warm, welcoming and non-judgmental therapeutic rapport with each of her clients, a firm believer that open communication is a healing modality in itself. She is passionate about traveling and has used her personal experiences with people and cultures around the world to foster deep and meaningful connections, what she believes is key to a more fulfilling life. Dana is a bilingual (English/Hebrew) registered clinician with a Bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and a Master’s degree from Florida International University. Dana is trained in individual, couple, and group therapies and takes a collaborative, person-centered approach to create impactful goals and fulfilling experiences with her clients. 

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(English/Creole)

 Sarah Fleurestil is a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern trained in individual, couples, and family therapy. Sarah completed her training at the University of Miami with a degree in counseling with a focus in marriage and family therapy. She is committed to instilling hope and serving as catalyst for positive change in her client’s lives. 

Sarah primarily utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Structural Family Therapy, and Narrative Therapy. Sarah approaches each client with intentionality and the goal of individualized personal progress. Sarah is presently completing her second Master’s degree in Health Administration.

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(English/Español)

Junet Morales is a bilingual, Master graduate, Registered Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) Intern from North Central University. She works with adults, adolescents and children and is trained in a variety of therapy modalities (individual, couple, family and group therapy). Special interests include relationship problems, parenting concerns, life transitions, stress, anxiety, depression, body image and identity. She is warm, empathetic, accepting, and has a natural ability to make people feel at ease, heard, and understood. She is committed to providing her clients with a safe, judgement free zone where they can be themselves and she can learn about them and who they truly are.

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Francesca Cabada is a Master’s student in the Couple and Family Therapy program at Nova Southeastern University. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Emory University in December 2019. Francesca has an interest in specializing with couples and families who are experiencing conflict. She aims to help clients tap into their strengths to develop new ways of interacting and managing conflict with their loved ones. 

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Hannah Scott is a Marriage and Family Therapy student completing her Master’s degree at the University of Miami. Hannah received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Akron in Ohio, the state in which she grew up. Hannah has experience as a behavior technician where she worked with a diverse population of children on the Autism spectrum in both a clinic and home-based setting. Hannah also has experience volunteering as a mental health facilitator for at-risk youth struggling with issues of anxiety, depression, behavioral difficulties, and self-esteem. 

Hannah is vibrant and warm and believes that the therapeutic relationship should be one of collaboration, in which she and the client create shared goals centered around wellness. 

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Emily is an MHC student pursuing her Master's degree at the University of Miami and completing her practicum outplacement at Lotus Counseling Center. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree from Bucknell University where she majored in psychology. Emily has experience working in media and advertising, as well as with children and adolescents. She spent her summer teaching social-emotional learning to refugee Ukrainian children who relocated to the Miami area. She also facilitated trauma-informed and culturally responsive mental health groups for high-school-aged youth.

Emily is a warm, genuine, and compassionate listener who is able to create a safe space for clients in the therapy room. She does not subscribe to a one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. Instead, Emily believes every client is unique and that interventions should be tailored to the specific needs of each client.

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Laura Weinberg is a Graduate Counseling Intern, pursuing her Master’s in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness at New York University. Laura received her Bachelor’s of Arts in Sociology from Duke University where she was a Division I student-athlete and an Academic All-American. Most recently, Laura dedicated the past 7 years of her life to her work at a large technology company where she partnered with clients across consulting and career-coaching capacities. She has fine-tuned these skills to translate naturally to the therapeutic alliance.

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For over 30 years, my zeal for Meditation has seeped out into my professional and personal life as I have taught clients, friends and family to meditate while using calming breathing techniques during stressful moments.  I became a Life Coach in order to help people discover and practice the Meditation and Mindful Living lifestyle in a broader, more 'Wholistic' way.  

In our coaching together, I use Meditative Techniques and Mindful Living Strategies in a practical way to enhance your Awareness and help you achieve and live a more peaceful and  harmonious life.

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