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Dr. Laura d’Angelo is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill and received her undergraduate degree at Barnard College/Columbia University in NYC. She has enjoyed a career in public psychiatry serving on the faculties of Vanderbilt University and Oregon Health and Science University where she was the psychiatrist for Oregon’s Department of Human Services providing state-wide consultation and training in Development Disorders and Mental Health. She has also had the good fortune to work overseas in New Zealand.
At the Sarasota Center of Revitalizing Psychiatry Dr. d’Angelo provides treatment as a Psychiatrist for adolescent and adult population. Additionally, she specializes in developmental disabilities.
Eduardo La Rosa was born and raised in Peru. After completing high school, he moved to the USA to learn English and to continue his education. After graduating as a registered nurse, he worked in different areas of nursing (including orthopedics, oncology and psychiatry). Early in his nursing career he realized Psychiatry was his true passion and he decided to continue his education and become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. At the Center of Revitalizing Psychiatry Eduardo is working with adults in an outpatient setting. Eduardo takes pride in developing caring and trusting relationships with his patients. He strongly believes that getting to know his patients well helps him to offer them the best possible care to improve their mental health and quality of life.
Eduardo obtained his bachelor’s degree in Nursing from State college of Florida, Master of Science in Nursing from Drexel University. Additionally, he is certified as Psychiatric Mental Health NursePractitioner by the American Nurses Credentialing Center ANCC.
Dr. Marwaha received her medical training from the University of Seychelles American institute of Medicine and graduated from Western Kentucky University with a Masters of Public Health. During Medical school she did research on the evaluation and management of Delirium. She undertook Psychiatric electives at Yale School of Medicine, where she worked in the Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit and presented a few neuropsychiatric cases. At WKU she got the opportunity to work at Kelly Autism Program, where she did research in Autism Spectrum Disorders. She went on to join Creighton/ UNMC combined Psychiatry residency training program in Omaha NE and after the first 2 years fast tracked into a Child and Adolescent psychiatry (CAP) fellowship program at OBH/ BHMCNY and completed her last year of Adult psychiatry training in the same program in NY. After completing her psychiatry residency and CAP fellowship, Dr. Marwaha completed an additional year of training in Psychosomatic medicine/Psychiatric Consultation Liaison fellowship at JHMC NY. In the past she has enjoyed volunteering at the Juvenile Detention Center and the Commonwealth Health Free Clinic in Bowling Green Kentucky. In her free time she likes traveling and exploring new places, reading, kick-boxing and spending time with family.
As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with over 20 years of experience in healthcare, Lindsey specializes in ADHD, depression, anxiety, trauma, and bipolar disorders. She works with clients as young as 6 years old and provides care throughout their lifespan. Lindsey’s nursing journey began in the surgical setting and expanded to clinical leadership, infection control, and quality assurance. She earned her Bachelor in Nursing from Keiser University before discovering her true passion for psychiatry and behavioral health, leading me to pursue a Master’s in Nursing from Nova Southeastern University.
During Lindsey’s academic journey, she graduated with high honors and was honored to be inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Lindsey thrives on building connections with her clients and is deeply dedicated to guiding individuals through the healing process of their unique experience. She approaches each case with a tailored, solution-focused, and motivational perspective. Her goal is to provide comprehensive care that meets the unique needs of each individual I work with.
In her free time, Lindsey cherishes the peace and tranquility of country living with my family and their animals. Exploring the outdoors is a true passion of hers, whether it’s camping, hiking the mountains and trails, or seeking adventures in new places. She loves discovering new cuisines, spending quality time with loved ones, and finding joy in every corner of life. Apart from outdoor activities, she also enjoys learning new hobbies and delving into books that expand my horizons and knowledge. Traveling to different destinations to experience diverse cultures and environments is a source of great fulfillment for her.
Renee Novak is dual board certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner by ANCC. Renee graduated with honors from the University of Florida earning a Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) degree. During her education at University of Florida, she was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society. Soon after graduation from University of Florida, Renee earned her MSN as a family nurse practitioner from University of South Florida.
Over the years practicing as a Family Nurse Practitioner, Renee realized the need for patients to have access to mental health services. This inspired her to enroll in the Post-Masters Psychiatric Mental Health Certificate from Florida State University.
Renee has worked in a variety of clinical settings including private practice, school clinics, community health centers, correction facilities, and tele-health. Renee treats patients across the lifespan who have a wide range of mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, PTSD, mood disorders, personality disorders, ADD/ADHD, psychosis, OCD, and insomnia. Renee includes a wholistic and individualized approach with each patient.
Michele Privette has over 25 years of experience in treating a variety of psychiatric diagnosis which includes: Major Depression, Generalized Anxiety, PTSD and Bipolar disorders. Her experience ranges from inpatient/outpatient settings, as well as providing psychiatric consultation to Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities. She has also worked with pharmaceutical companies in clinical research drug trials. Ms. Privette enjoys working with adults as well as geriatrics. She does provide some counseling services, however she enjoys the psychopharmacology of treating disorders. Michele has strong clinical assessment and diagnostic skills. Her goals are to participate and offer the best possible care to the patient in order to improve their quality of life as well as their mental health.
Ms. Privette graduated from the University of Florida with her bachelor’s degree in Nursing. She then went on to graduate from the University of South Florida earning her Masters in Nursing and a certificate in Addictions. She is certified by the ANCC as a psychiatric nurse practitioner.
At the Sarasota, FL, Center of Revitalizing Psychiatry Ms. Privette treats adults as well as performs Psychiatric Evaluation and Psychiatric Medication Management. Ms. Privette is the Deputy Medical Director of Sarasota, FL branch of CRP as well as the Program Director of Mental Health Intensive Outpatient Program (MH IOP).
Dr. Marina Tourkova received her medical degree in Ukraine where she worked as a psychiatrist for 12 years. Upon coming to the US, she completed the Psychiatric Residency Program at Westchester Medical Center/ Behavioral Health Center, Valhalla, NY. While in training, she was certified in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy by Psychoanalytic Institute of New York Medical College.
Dr. Tourkova received additional training as a Geriatric Psychiatrist through a Fellowship Program at St. Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Center of New York. In 2003, Dr. Tourkova founded the Center of Revitalizing Psychiatry, and has since been leading and managing it as a Medical Director. The Center provides a full spectrum of outpatient psychiatric and psychotherapeutic services for children, adults and elderly in the Bergen County area. Since 2003, the Center has been able to help more than 12,000 patients. In 2012, Dr. Tourkova opened a second branch in Sarasota, FL area. Dr. Tourkova is well-known and respected by the community and has been chosen by her patients for the Patient’s Choice Physician Award 5 years in a row.
At the Hackensack office, Dr. Tourkova serves as the Medical Director, treats adults and geriatric population performing Psychiatric Evaluation and Psychiatric Medication Management, as well as provides clinical consult to the Center’s providers.
Susie Alarie completed her Masters degree at the University of South Florida in 2009. She has been practicing for over 6 years. She specializes in a variety of issues ranging from depression to PTSD to substance abuse. Her unique approach of cognitive behavioral therapy and solution focused method helps each patient approach their issues in a way that supports their lifestyle. Her patients range in age from adolescents to adults and include couples.
At the Sarasota, FL Center of Revitalizing Psychiatry Susie provides individual and group psychotherapy.
Joseph Amato is licensed as a Psychologist in Florida, New York, Arizona and Connecticut. Before his arrival in Sarasota, he served as the Suicide Prevention Coordinator for the VA Health Care Systems in the Greater New York Metropolitan area, from 2007 until March 2015. He played a nationally recognized clinical leadership role in this groundbreaking work. For his work he was given the prestigious Federal Executive Board (FEB) “Call to Service Award” in 2010. Prior to his service at VA, he was a Psychologist within the Department of Psychiatry at Stamford Hospital in Connecticut from 1992 to 2007.
He completed his internship and residency at Mercy Hospital in San Diego California, and also a Clinical Fellowship in Child Psychology at The Newington Children’s Hospital in Connecticut (Now the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center).
He has been trained in Cognitive Behavioral therapy, Person Centered, and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. As part of the move to evidence based treatments, VA trained him in the Institute of Medicine’s preferred treatment for PTSD called Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). Due to his work at VA, he has extensive experience providing psychological support to the families of service members from the Guard and Reserves, during their deployments and to assist with their readjustment to their communities upon their return.
Dr. Amato’s clinical interests include Health Psychology and the Mind-Body Connection, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, and its contemporary revisions, and assisting adolescents and their parents with that developmental passage. He also has an interest in the interface between psychotherapy and spirituality. He provides psychological assessment and treatment for adults and adolescents.
He received his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from NYU, in 1990. Before becoming a Psychologist, he served as a Roman Catholic Priest for 12 years from 1980 to 1992.
Dr. Amato was an Adjunct Professor at UCONN-Stamford, from 1999 to May 2015. In 2009 he was named Adjunct Professor of the Year. He has taught Clinical Assessment in the Department of Applied Psychology at NYU for a number of years and has been a clinical supervisor for various doctoral programs in psychology in the NY area. As part of his duties at Stamford Hospital and then at VA, he was appointed Assistant Clinical Professor of Medical Psychology (In Psychiatry) for Columbia University Medical School and New York Medical College. He continues to advance his knowledge and training, and is an active participant of Florida’s Psychological Association trainings and seminars.
At the Sarasota, FL, Center of Revitalizing Dr. Joseph Amato provides psychotherapy and psychological testing.
Elizabeth Ayebare is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor for the state of Florida and a National Certified Counselor. Elizabeth believes that clinical Mental Health Counseling is more than a profession; it is a passion. Elizabeth believes that mental health is more than the absence of mental disorders -it is rooted in the notion of creating a state of well-being where people can tap within their inner resources to deal with everyday stressors. As a therapist, Elizabeth takes on a strengths-based approach where every client has a lot to offer to the world. Her role as a therapist is to help clients tap into their innermost resources. Elizabeth’s past experiences have enabled her to dedicate care to clients with empathy, professionalism, cultural competence, and practicality. Elizabeth pursued my undergraduate studies in the Arts in Social Sciences degree, which gave her an insight into how community aspects operate. Over the years, she has gained valuable skills in carrying out clinical assessments, working with clients from diverse backgrounds, and tailoring interventions to client needs. Elizabeth completed her studies in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and earned her master’s degree from Lynn University in 2020. Currently, she is also enrolled in a Ph.D. counseling program with a specialization in family and couple therapy at Barry University. Elizabeth draws from various methods to assist each individual instead of adopting a single methodology for treatment. She has dedicated her passion and energy over the years towards providing and fulfilling mental health care needs that enable patients and their families to realize their fullest potential.
At the Sarasota, FL, Center of Revitalizing Psychiatry Elizabeth sees couples and families, adolescents, adults, and geriatric patients.
Katie Benninghove is a licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Florida since 1999. In 1997, she received her Masters in Psychology and Counseling from Troy State University.
Katie has over 15 years of experience in a variety of settings including adult/adolescent psychiatric inpatient/outpatient, dual diagnosis day treatment center, neurological residential center and a specialized school for behavioral and autistic needs. Katie has experience working with individuals/groups in areas of depression, mood disorders, psychiatric illness, autism spectrum, anxiety, relationship issues, couple and family counseling, loss and bereavement, conflict resolution and acceptance.
Katie believes that everyone has inherent strengths and the goal of counseling is to establish a working plan towards emotional, mental, physical and social stability. She believes in a balanced and safe working relationship that client and counselor have in recognizing the need for personal change and in creating a plan on how to achieve the life you envision. Her approach is to empower individuals to implement positive strategies for personal growth and acceptance and encourage individuals to minimize interference. Her practice is based on a Cognitive Behavioral model with an eclectic approach.
Katie has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, families and couples. As a mother of two, having a child who is on the spectrum, Katie can relate to the challenges that this can bring to a family, marriage, sibling and the child. She has experience educating individuals on how to overcome behavioral, social and educational challenges. She guides the family in reality based goals that achieve the least restrictive level of independence.
The primary goals with couple and family counseling are encouragement towards self reflection and ownership and learning tools to enable individuals choices with forgiveness, acceptance and a clean slate to evaluate the present and future needs and desires.
In addition, at the Sarasota, FL Center of Revitalizing Psychiatry, Katie is working with individuals, couples, and families, and provides group therapy for adults interested in the Intensive Outpatient Program.
Tom Chambers graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Social Work and has 31 years of experience in the field of social work. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with experience in inpatient and outpatient settings including working in Partial Hospital Programs and Intensive Outpatient Programs. Tom currently enjoys providing individual and group therapy to adult and geriatric patients.
His experience includes working with a wide variety of problems including Major Depression, Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Disorders, grief, and people going through life transitions.
His therapy uses a variety of techniques including cognitive behavior therapy, mindfulness, positive psychotherapy, and dialectical behavior therapy in order to help the patient reach his or her goals.
At the Sarasota, FL, Center of Revitalizing Psychiatry Tom is currently treating adult and geriatric patients on Thursdays.
Understanding thought processes is vital to mental health stability. Dr. Thomas Clyburn is a licensed mental health counselor working in the mental health field for more than twenty years thus far treating a variety of patients ranging in ages from toddlers to geriatrics. Dr. Clyburn has a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and a PhD in Counseling Psychology. Being a male clinician of African-American descent deriving from a multicultural background has provided him with a unique discernment of mental health that goes well beyond the therapeutic setting. His passion is more than just providing therapeutic interventions for the short-term. His passion is to provide therapeutic interventions that persist long-term via cognitive psychological methods and resonate in the home, community, school, and/or workplace. After assessing and identifying the source(s) of the mental health issue(s), establishing goals and practical steps to achieving these goals is pertinent for self-sufficiency and sustainment. Throughout his career, Dr Clyburn’s treatment interventions for mental health issues have included, but have not been limited to treating ADHD, Anxiety, Stress, Depression, LGBTQ+, and Sexual Predation.
Kelly Dowiak is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor committed to helping individuals and couples learn how to process through grief, trauma, and relational challenges. Kelly has assisted adults, adolescents, couples, and families work through mental health issues and interpersonal challenges within many different cultures and diverse settings. Through a collaborative and goal-oriented process of neuro-informed Cognitive Behavior
Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Kelly helps her clients to focus on managing and alleviating overwhelming feelings of depression, anxiety, and loneliness. She is passionate about helping you to develop a stronger sense of self, increase awareness of your resiliency/resourcefulness, and learn to build healthier relationships.
Tamara Irons, LCSW has been providing licensed therapeutic services since 2000. She has enjoyed helping people facing a variety of life’s challenges over the years. She began working with people with dissociative disorders, which prepared her to help others with challenges such as relationships (both professional and personal), LGBTQ+ issues, anxiety and depression, trauma, substance abuse issues, boundary development, women’s issues and aging. Tamara believes in a holistic outlook to treatment. She uses an integrated approach to therapy, accessing helpful aspects of many different therapeutic approaches. She prides herself in creating and holding a safe, relaxing and authentic space where her clients may be honest and courageous on their journey to wellness. On a personal note, she enjoys traveling, spending time on warm beaches and quality time with family.
Sylvie Jeanloz is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who brings 25 years of experience providing strength based individual, family, and group therapy to children, youth, and adults. Sylvie worked in both inpatient and community based settings, including mental health clinics and schools, as a clinician as well as an administrator. Specific areas of interest and experience include anxiety and depression, marital/partnership concerns, life change adjustment (e.g. retirement), sexual orientation/gender identity related issues, adoption related issues, eating disorders, substance abuse, and PTSD/trauma, including loss and emotional/physical/sexual abuse.
Sylvie’s goal is to provide her patients with a meaningful therapeutic experience, partnering with them, to help transform negative thoughts and patterns of behavior related to themsleves and their environment into ones that will help them to experience greater self-appreciation and interpersonal success. She can help by focusing on development of more productive ways to handle life’s challenges as well as to understand and address issues from the past that may be standing in the way. She will develop a plan together with her patient, one that will allow them to address the patient’s concerns at their own pace.
Sylvie has always had a strong interest in, and commitment to, working with people who have been impacted by trauma. Her commitment has led to many years of providing counseling to individuals and families who have survived traumatic experiences, to developing and running programs aimed at preventing and treating individuals and families impacted by abuse, and also to serving on both local and state-wide committees aimed at preventing abuse and advocating on behalf of children and families who have been impacted by abuse.
Judith Lescano is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, who is a compassionate and dedicated professional equipped with experience in counseling individual and groups, to include children and adults. Judith is bilingual in English and Spanish, and is comfortable providing care in both of these languages. Judith is highly effective in working with multidisciplinary teams and other health professionals, including social workers, psychologists, and student interns.
At the Center of Revitalizing Psychiatry, Judith is seeing outpatient clients as well as co-facilitating the Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs).
Julia Loewi is a clinical social worker and psychotherapist whose extensive experience includes treating individuals, couples, families, and groups with anxiety, depression, interpersonal conflicts, ADHD, emotion dysregulation, substance misuse, behavioral addictions, and trauma. Her clients are often navigating relationship difficulties, financial strain, infertility, infidelity, and major life transitions, such as marriage, career, moving, postpartum, parenthood, divorce, and school or career advancement.
With a warm, open, and approachable style, Julia works to quickly establish trust, confidence, and the strong rapport with her clients that is essential to the therapeutic process. She appreciates the importance of active listening to understand her clients and their experiences – not just a situation, but what it means for them in the context of their lives. Julia’s integrative, holistic, and trauma-informed approach to psychotherapy is grounded in evidence-based best practices which she flexibly applies to meet the unique needs of each client. Using everyday language to normalize and demystify the impersonal jargon often found in psychotherapy, she supports her clients to process their experiences, identify what needs to change and what they want to move towards, and develop a toolbox of actionable skills they can rely on to support them in their recovery.
Julia’s extensive training includes certifications in neuropsychotherapy, psychological first aid, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectic behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based stress reduction, trauma, and interpersonal psychotherapy. She is also a trained couples therapist, certified in Emotion-Focused Couples Therapy and trained in the Gottman Method (Level 3), including the Gottman approach to substance use and infidelity. Devoted to ongoing education, Julia is currently completing certification in financial therapy for individual, couples, and family businesses
Julia holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honors from McGill University (1998) and a Master of Social Work (MSW) magna cum laude from the University of Windsor (2007). She is licensed in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, and holds a provisional license in Florida while she completes transferring her credentials. For over 15 years, Julia worked in outpatient mood and anxiety programs, including Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Canada’s largest mental health and addictions teaching hospital. She has held Adjunct Lecturer Status at the University of Toronto (2010-2020), York University (2020-2022), and Clinical Internship Supervisor roles at universities across Ontario.
Julia is also so fortunate to be a mother of two and knows firsthand the challenges of infertility and miscarriage, as well as those blurry days of early parenthood. She loves being outdoors, musical theatre, and Sarasota’s spectacular sunsets. With an ongoing passion for this work, Julia looks forward to the opportunity to work with you.
Joanne is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and has been working in the mental health field since 2018. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and went on to obtain her Masters in Social Work from Florida Gulf Coast University. Joanne employs Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) to help clients take control of their thoughts and feelings to reduce and manage anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. Her specialties include stress and anxiety reduction, treatment of panic attacks, depression, mood disorders, managing symptoms of associated with Bi-Polar disorder, ADD/ADHD, and substance abuse. Joanne has also served in the capacity of group leader for an Intensive Outpatient Program, as well as a facilitator working with the Forensic population.
Joanne is dedicated to her field, as demonstrated by her compassion and empathy for those she serves. She is committed to her profession with continuing education courses and seminars, and considers herself a life-long learner.
Robin Richardson is a trauma focused licensed psychotherapist in the state of FL. She is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional as well as a Certified Family Trauma Professional by the International Association of Trauma Professionals. In addition to providing traditional insight orientated talk therapy, she can provide hypnotherapy being a Board Certified Fellow in Clinical Hypnotherapy with the National Board for Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists with 14 years of experience as a hypnotherapist. Robin is a person-centered therapist who works from both the mind/body and strength based perspectives and uses a variety of therapeutic modalities to help facilitate healing for her clients. She specializes in trauma, PTSD, anxiety, phobias, fears, depression, grief, loss, OCD, energy psychology, low self-esteem, relaxation training, stress management, career issues, and anger management. She has knowledge and use of Accelerated Resolution Therapy as well as Rapid Trauma Resolution techniques.
She works with all age ranges and welcomes children, adolescents, and adults providing both individual and family group counseling.
Sarah Rowe is a Florida Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been practicing therapy and counseling services for over 25 years. She worked many years in addiction treatment and has been a Certified Addictions Counselor in Pennsylvania and a
Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor in addition to having been first licensed in New Jersey. She received her Masters of Social Work from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Her BA is from Lycoming College in Pennsylvania. Her MSW Internships were in a Domestic Violence Shelter and a female Halfway House for alcohol and drug recovery. She was a Field Clinical Supervisor for MSW Social Work Interns in NJ. Additionally, she completed the Landmark Education Curriculum for Living along with numerous continuing education courses.
Inpatient and outpatient facilities and halfway houses for addiction recovery have been the main types of agencies where she worked. In Florida, her experience has been in Behavioral Healthcare with over three years working with those afflicted with psychiatric diagnosis including Major Depression, Schizophrenia, Bipolar I and II Disorders, Generalized Anxiety as well as a variety of others. Addiction treatment is Sarah’s specialty and she has worked extensively with family members as well as the person with the illness. She treats issues including grief, trauma, family of origin, codependence, divorce, job loss, relationship issues, aging, depression and anxiety.
Working primarily with adults, Sarah employs a person centered approach with treatment modalities tailored to the individual. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Gestalt, Mindfulness. Family Systems, Imago Couples therapy are used in general; and Gorski and Miller, and Dennis Daley’s Relapse Prevention Strategies along with referral to community supports are added for addiction treatment.
At the Center of Revitalizing Psychiatry Sarasota office, Sarah is currently working with adults on Fridays.
Jill T Schechter, MSW, LCSW, received a BA degree from Washington University, in St. Louis, Missouri, with a double major in education and psychology. Originally from Chicago, she received a Masters Degree in Social Work from Loyola University, Chicago, in 1995, and was accredited as an LCSW in 1997. She has maintained a private practice, while also working in variety of settings. Jill has gained experience in community mental health, residential treatment, child welfare, and crisis intervention. Jill was also Executive Producer and Host of a local access cable TV show in the Chicago area, titled “Teens Talk Back,” featuring teens from area high schools in discussions of controversial issues such as sexual relationships and identity, academic and social pressures, and drug/alcohol use and abuse. She received a certificate of award for the show in 2002.
Jill moved from Chicago to Sarasota in 2002 and worked as a counselor for students of Ringling College of Art & Design for 2 years, followed by Manatee Glens Corporation for 8 years. She began working at the Center for Revitalizing Psychiatry in 2014. She offers clinical diagnostic assessment and treatment through individual and family psychotherapy. She treats adults of all ages as well as adolescents, utilizing psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques. Therapy, both long- and short-term is intended to provide relief from symptoms resulting from anxiety, stress, and depression. Therapy focuses on assisting the clients in forming realistic goals and in building and maintaining healthy coping mechanisms as a response to biological, psychological and environmental stressors. She also continues to maintain a private practice in Sarasota.
Brett Sondag, LMHC, received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology (Counseling Practice) from Roosevelt University in Chicago, IL in 2017, and has received his LMHC license in early 2021. He has worked with substance abuse populations since 2014, and has developed an integrative model for substance use behaviors. Brett completed his graduate level training at Hartgrove Behavioral Health System in Chicago. During this time, he facilitated CBT education with acute inpatient groups, and practiced individual therapy in their outpatient clinic with children, adolescents and adults with mental health concerns.
He enjoys utilizing CBT and ACT skills based approaches to help clients develop the self-efficacy to achieve behavioral wellness. While he also enjoys the use of Person-Centered and Psychodynamic approaches to help clients develop insight into their own thoughts and ways of being that contribute to their present stress. Brett moved to Sarasota in June 2018 when started with CRP. At the Center of Revitalizing Psychiatry, Brett conducts individual psychotherapy as well as helps to coordinate the adult mental health, adolescent mental health and substance abuse IOP programs. In conjunction, he assists psychiatric providers with mental health evaluations for clients seeking medication management and other therapeutic services.
Christen Thompson, LMHC, had spent over 20 years striving to grow, evolve, and understand how her past experience affects her ability to experience each current moment as it actually is. Every day she learns something new that helps her to value herself, and feel grateful for all the blessings in her life. In her past, she had struggled with addiction to cocaine; and began her long road to recovery in 1996.
Inspired by many different experiences in her own therapeutic journey, Christen decided that becoming a therapist was a natural way to continue her own journey, and help others find the same joy and freedom she had experienced in her life.
Christen began working in the Addictions field in 2004, as a Behavioral Health Technician, completed her Bachelor’s degree; and worked as a graduate assistant at Lynn University while completing her Master’s degree in Counseling. Christen had worked in several facilities in south Florida as a primary therapist; utilizing a Humanistic approach, and as many Creative-Arts therapeutic modalities as possible. She has since become an LMHC, NCC, and have certification in EMDR, Psychodrama, and Transpersonal counseling. One of Christen’s career achievements that she is most proud of was the engineering and implementation of a clinical curriculum for First Responders. Through this experience Christen had gained valuable insight into the administrative and supervisory roles necessary to be successful as a clinical director.
Christen had developed a passion, and love for working with addicts and alcoholics. She remains committed to continuing to grow in her own self-awareness, and help guide others on their journeys towards self-awareness and actualization. At the Center of Revitalizing Psychiatry, Christen Thompson leads the Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Program, as well as works with individual clients.
Judy Wiggins, MSW, LCSW, has over 25 years of extensive experience working with children ages 7 – 18, adults, couples, women, and older individuals. Judy has worked in school settings, non-profits & community agencies, as well as private therapy offices. In her therapeutic practice, Judy employs a variety of modalities that include Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Grief Therapy, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, and Communication Skills. She also utilizes Talk Therapy and teaches various techniques to promote relaxation and to reduce anxiety and stress. Judy is a native of Southwest suburbs of Chicago and has been in the Bradenton/Sarasota area for over 9 years. In her free time she enjoys listening to music, reading, hiking, being in nature, practicing yoga and meditation, as well as spending time with friends and traveling. During these very challenging times, it is her deep desire to provide a safe and sacred space for her clients to explore their lives, and to find meaningful and effective ways to overcome stress and anxiety in their daily lives, jobs, and relationships.
Olga is an Art-based therapist, psychodramatist, and facilitator of group work. Olga had graduated as a psychologist from Moscow Pedagogical University, worked in Red Cross Society, Social and Psychological Your Center ‘’DOORS’’ (Moscow).
Olga isa also a fully accredited trainer of Playback Theatre (Centre of Playback Theatre), co-founder the playback theatre «New Jazz» (Russia). Playback theatre is a type of psychological and social theatre which helps support people in different phases of life’s challenges. Additionally, she is a co-founder and an art-director of Vozdukh Center, an integrative project of physical and improvisational theatre (Russia) www.vozdukh.center
Olga’s areas of work and interests span personal development based on art, theatre, embodiment, development of emotional intelligence and communicative skills.
Olga brings the innovative techniques of addressing mental health challenges through theater and art and at the Center of Revitalizing Psychiatry she leads support groups based on Listening Hour method and playback theatre.
Svetlana received her Masters Degree in Psychology and Teacher of Psychology from Moscow StateUniversity in 2001. Her professional experience includes work with international non-governmental organizations such as UNICEF, Medicine San Frontiers (Doctors without Borders), AFEW (Moscow) where she worked with vulnerable populations – street children, dysfunctional families, drug users, prisoners, sex-workers and others. Her work also included educating specialists in helping them to understand special psychological needs of those groups.
Prior to joining CRP, Svetlana has worked in the business environment for more than 15 years, helping companies develop top leaders, teams and the business itself. More than 10 years of her professional experience is in managing teams of 5 to 50 people in the field of adult education and development. During this time, she has developed numerous trainings based on her own research and methodologies.
Svetlana’s professional areas of work include personal development through the development of awareness and the ability to self-regulate, the freedom to be yourself and the joy of being with others. At the Center of Revitalizing Psychiatry Svetlana works with all clients on individual basis as well as in group settings.
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