Our Counselors




Margaret Reynolds, Ed.D., LMHC Director for the Counseling Center Ph: 727-828-8360

img

Dr. Margaret L. Reynolds holds a B.A. in Religion and a master's degree in Christian Education from Scarritt College. Her doctorate is from Vanderbilt University in Human Development Counseling. In 2008, she retired from a 25 year career in Nashville, TN to return to her home state of Florida. In Nashville, she served as an Employee Assistance Counselor for the employees and family members of Opryland USA, Inc; Director of the General Sessions Court's DUI and Traffic Safety Programs, and Adjunct Professor with Vanderbilt University teaching masters level counseling students.

Using a combination of developmental and cognitive behavioral therapy, she respectfully assists her clients as they identify ways to combine their own spiritual beliefs with other sources of family and community support. Her goal is to assist each client in a spiritual journey to rediscover the "divine self" God intends each to be. She specializes in addiction recovery; bereavement; divorce adjustment; treatment of depression and anxiety; codependency counseling; parenting skill development; developmental psychology of women; and spiritual growth.

Membership and Associations: American Mental Health Counselor's Association
Suncoast Mental Health Counselor's Association
Florida Mental Health Counselor's Association

Insurance Plans Accepted


Deb Downs-Spencer, Ph.D. FL Licensed Psychologist Ph: 727-481-8533

img

Dr. Deb Downs-Spencer is a highly personable therapist who is dedicated to helping clients increase their quality of living. She works with problems such as depression, anxiety and stress as well as specializing in the treatment of Eating Disorders. She received her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology in 1997 from the Ohio State University where she won the Kathryn Hopwood Award for excellence in her field. She received her Master's degree from Wake Forest University in Experimental Psychology in 1993 and graduated with high honors from Denison University where she earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology and Spanish. Following her graduation from Ohio State, Dr. Downs-Spencer completed her internship at The University of South Florida Center for Human Development and her residency at the Eckerd College Counseling Center. She was licensed in the state of Florida in 1998 and was employed as the Staff Psychologist at Eckerd College until 2000 when she opened a full-time private practice.

Dr. Downs-Spencer specializes in the treatment of eating disorders but also enjoys working with a wide range of issues such as depression, bipolar disorder, stress, anxiety, and family transition including divorce.

Accepting all plans of Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna and Tricare

Read more about surviving divorce and eating disorders


Debra Kraus, M.A., LMHC, C.C.T.P.*    Ph: 727-458-1080

img

Debra Kraus holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management with emphasis in Human Resources from the University of South Florida and a Master of Arts degree from Liberty University in Professional Counseling. Debra's practice specialties include: developmental trauma and memory healing; anxiety, panic, and phobia desensitization; grief, loss and bereavement; anger and stress management; relational and codependency issues; self-esteem; personal growth, spirituality and life purpose issues. She offers psychotherapy and counseling services for individuals 18 years and older. She is experienced in coaching and motivation, career counseling and psycho-educational group facilitation in areas such as anxiety, codependency, and personality differences. Debra is a Certified Master Level Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) Practitioner. ART utilizes a natural process which has similarities to the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) stage of sleep and can produce quick (1 to 5 sessions average), effective and safe results in treating various mental health conditions such as PTSD/trauma, anxiety, depression, phobias, relationship issues, and grief, to name a few. Please visit this link for more information about ART: www.is-art.org/

To learn more about Debra's practice, go to her personal website. www.dkrausfootprints.com

To view Debra's professional profile online please visit psychologytoday.com

Debra is Credentialed with the BayCare EAP and SAP programs; BayCare Choice Managed Care; Value Options/TRICARE, TRICARE PPO; American Behavioral (managed care and EAP) Group; CareBridge EAP; Ceridian Life Works EAP; Cigna PPO, HMO and EAP; Aetna (Managed care and EAP), EAP CCA; United/Optum/UMR/OSCAR (Managed care and EAP); AVMED; E4 Health EAP, Health Advocate EAP and Workplace EAP; and First Health

*C.C.T.P. is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional



David Cubito, Psy.D
Licensed Psychologist 727-527-1969 Cell/Text

img

“Dr. Dave” earned his BS in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin - Madison in 1989 and his Doctorate in Psychology (Psy.D.) From the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 1995. He became a Licensed Psychologist in 1997 and the majority of his career has involved providing cognitive-behavioral counseling to individuals, couples, and families (ages 4 and up). Dr. Dave meets with clients as early as 6:45AM and his last appointment usually begins at 2:15PM.


Please call or preferably text Dr. Dave to set up an initial consultation. He is in-network with the following insurance companies: Aetna, Cigna, BC/BS, Florida Blue HMO/PPO, All Blue Cross Insurance, GEHA, some Humana plans, Medicare, PHCS/Multiplan, Tricare, and United (Optum). Dr. Dave is married with two children and a dog! For more information please view his website: Drdave123.com.



Courtney Ellis   Ph:  727-248-0067

Courtney Ellis

Courtney Ellis received her B.S. in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences from The University of Florida and then continued on to earn her Master's degree in Counseling from Asbury Theological Seminary. Courtney has worked as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor both in private practice as well as in a high school setting. Courtney works with preteens, teenagers, adults, and couples and her areas of specialization include anxiety disorders, depression, relational struggles, ADHD, burnout, school avoidance, spiritual trauma, and more. Courtney's therapeutic approach is eclectic, meaning she draws on a variety of techniques and theories to meet the needs of the individual client. Whether it's using Cognitive Behavioral techniques to address negative thinking patterns, using a Psychodynamic approach to dig into past hurts or attachment issues, or teaching self-regulation skills to better manage physiological symptoms of anxiety, Courtney is always looking to implement the most effective strategies while offering a safe, non-judgmental environment. Courtney accepts Aetna, BayCare EAP, Cigna and United/Optum Insurance Plans.

[email protected]



Marti Zeitz, LMHC     Ph:727-490-8784

staff

Marti Zeitz (She/her) received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education at Notre Dame College in Ohio. She earned her master’s degree in counseling at La Salle University in Philadelphia in a mid-life career transition. She is licensed by the State of Florida as a Mental Health Counselor. While she is new to the Counseling Center in January 2022, she has 25 years of counseling experience. She works with individuals , primarily women.  Her approach is eclectic, determined by her clients needs. She strives to create a warm and safe holding space allowing clients to explore their strengths and patterns responding to life’s challenges.  She specializes in trauma resolution and can facilitate healing for those struggling with depression, anxiety, grief, loss, addiction and life transitions.

[email protected]



Andy Bell, LCSW   Ph:  727-698-0624

Courtney Ellis

Andy Bell, LCSW (He/him/his) earned his clinical MSW from the University of South Florida and M. Div. from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. After several years in parish ministry, clinical chaplaincy, and pastoral care and counseling, Andy moved to Florida to pursue clinical licensure. Andy then worked in local agencies and churches providing psychotherapy and pastoral counseling. For 20 years he was the Director of the Lakewood Methodist Counseling Center before moving to the Counseling Center at First UMC. Andy believes that none of us get through life unscathed. At some point we all need help getting through life’s hard and hurting periods. His practice focuses on helping to heal hurting hearts, minds, and spirits. He also believes we are all given powerful gifts and abilities to fulfill our purpose in life, and there are times of struggle in finding and following our highest and best purpose. Andy is here to help and journey with you on your path to becoming the most whole, healthy, happy person you have the capacity to be. Andy’s years of practice have focused primarily on issues related to mood disorders, anxiety, physical emotional and sexual abuse recovery, marriage, and family empowerment, LBGTQA+ issues, addiction recovery and grief and loss counseling. Andy is clergy and always willing to use a person’s faith/spirituality as a strength basis for counseling but does not inflict faith/spirituality on anyone. Andy accepts Aetna, Allegiance, AV Med, BayCare EAP, Cigna, Clover Health, ComPsych, Humana and Humana EAP, Meritain, and United/Optum/UMR/Oscar.

[email protected]


COUNSELOR PROVIDING TELEHEALTH PRACTICE ONLY


Deborah Clements, LMHC      Ph: 813-625-6055

img

 Deborah Clements received her Bachelor's degree in Special Education from Vanderbilt University, and her   master's degree in Counseling from Springfield College. She specializes in working with women who are   healing from the physiological and psychological effects of trauma and intimate partner violence, struggling   with anxieties, and navigating daily stressors. Deborah's goal is to support her clients in reconnecting with   themselves, others, and their ground of being. She utilizes Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), the energy psychology of Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT Tapping) thetappingsolution.com and has completed EMDR Levels l and ll. Deborah is allied with the LGBTQ+ Community and is licensed by the State of Florida as a Mental Health Counselor.


Contact Us