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 10 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 crafting 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 and is currently a Florida Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern. 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.

Cassandra Pearson completed her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in  2018 after an internship at ES Counseling. She graduated at the top of her class, and is a member of Chi Sigma Iota. She received her Bachelor degree in Social Science from Boise State University with a minor in Psychology. While new to professional counseling, Cassandra has worked extensively with both youth and adults to achieve goals of independent living as well as to provide interventions for behavioral change at a community mental health agency. 

Cassandra is an avid reader, and enjoys restoring furniture, hiking and spending time with her family. A busy family life and a professional career allow Cassandra the opportunity to understand that life can be stressful. With this experience, she enjoys applying different methodologies of meditation and relaxation techniques to combat stress and promote well-being. Utilizing methods based on Cognitive Theory, she approaches counseling with the belief that our thoughts influence our emotions and behaviors. While some might view their specific concern as unique, she believes that everyone shares common issues as part of our human experience. Identifying these commonalities and the thought process behind them will allow us to grow as individuals.