Providers

After spending childhood in a military family and moving around the United States, Edna Schaefer, LMHC graduated from the University of Central Florida (GO KNIGHTS!) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Masters of Arts degree in Counselor Education. Over the past 20 years, Edna has worked for local mental health centers, a Fortune 500 Insurance Company, a major medical hospital, and has taught  community college courses as well as Masters degree classes, but her greatest professional fulfillment has been in private practice over the past 13 years working with clients individually and in families. Edna has been honored to be a part of the adoption process for 100s of families through domestic and international home study completion, post placement visits and birth parent and post-adoption counseling. Through all of these experiences, she has been exposed to a wide array of environments and people. She truly believes that family is the most important and crucial system and enjoys working towards positive goals to assist others to have their ideal relationships and lives. Edna has clinically supervised over a dozen Mental Health Counseling interns through the student and licensure process and regards the office as a place for growth, healing and learning for all. Edna has extensive training in the treatment of ADHD in children and adults, anxiety, grief, Gottman Couples therapy, and play therapy. Outside of the office, Edna enjoys family time, reading, traveling, gardening, and conservation and is involved in the community through volunteerism. 

Danielle Turwitt completed a Masters of Science in Counseling degree in 2017 from Capella University. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Psychological Research from the University of North Florida.  Danielle is also a National Board Certified Counselor (NCC). Having worked in private practice and various medical settings, her clinical training and work experience spans the field of community mental health. As an active member of the American Counseling Association, she has presented in Montréal on the topic of Complicated Grief Treatment and has inspired future clinical counselors from her Masters program by delivering a keynote at the Chi Sigma Iota induction ceremony in 2018. Danielle also works with prospective parents and birth parents in the adoption process. She believes Health is for everyone and that therapy is a place where one can grow. She is dedicated to working with individuals, adolescents, children, and families to provide holistic care through empathy, positive regard, and psychological insight. As a native Floridian, Danielle also enjoys time with her family, spending time outdoors, traveling, paddle boarding, and exercising. She believes that when we are mindful, we show up for our lives; we do not miss them in being distracted.

Registered Mental Health 

Counselor Intern 

Elizabeth originates from New Zealand and has spent more than half her life living in adopted countries around the world. Learning to see life from others’ perspectives has been an acquired skill for life that she brings to the counseling space. 

After completing her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Jacksonville University, Elizabeth followed this with her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in marriage and family therapy. This was a helpful foundation for her particular interest in women’s mental health, an area she had enjoyed previously working in as an occupational therapist. 

The approach that Elizabeth takes with her clients is one of warmth, empathy, and acceptance. She understands they are doing the best that they can in the given moment. Elizabeth offers to help her clients by facilitating a journey of increasing self-awareness, goal setting, and finding solutions to identified areas of desired change.

Outside of the counseling space, Elizabeth enjoys modern art, folksy jazz, bike riding and traveling. She has a little, deaf and blind dog who reminds her that life can be lived well even when there are challenges to be overcome. 

Student Intern 

Quality therapy is a science and an artform, two domains that Maaria is passionate and dedicated to becoming proficient in. Her desire as a future licensed Mental Health Counselor is to help people reach their physical and mental health goals. She strives to create safety in the therapy room to foster people’s development in a secure and effective manner. 

Maaria is currently a counselor – in – training at Northwestern University and is under supervision of Edna Schaefer, LMHC. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology at the University of North Florida and has clinical experience practicing under supervisors in the United States and Internationally. Maaria has had the opportunity to volunteer internationally and this contributes to her development as a culturally-competent counselor. In her previous roles, she has worked with  nuerodiverse individuals, individuals with mood disorders, parents, and families and looks forward to continuing her education and career at ES Counseling.