Christ-Centered Counseling

For new appointments, please call the church office: 407-884-7223
Our “Hope Starts Here” Ministries exists to meet the mental wellness needs of our church and broader community. We offer Christ-centered counseling for individuals and families Monday-Friday at our Apopka campus. We provide compassionate care and strive to support individuals dealing with a diverse range of mental health challenges.
 
Our ministry extends a helping hand to those burdened by anxiety, depression, OCD, self-esteem issues, eating disorders, addiction, relationship problems, trauma, and more. By integrating faith-based principles into evidence-based counseling techniques, we strive to foster healing and restoration. We are committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment.
 
We are eager to embark on this journey of hope, empowering individuals to find strength, resilience, and renewed purpose in their lives.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis that may result in imminent harm or danger, call 911, go to the nearest hospital emergency room, or contact the National Suicide Hotline 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)

Kristina Hawkins

Marriage and Family Therapist
Kristina is a Masters Level Marriage and Family Therapist with a passion for helping couples and families build stronger, healthier relationships. Kristina's clients describe her as a very relatable and compassionate therapist. She approaches therapy with warmth, empathy, and a deep respect for each client's unique experiences and perspectives. Kristina provides solution-focused therapy, working collaboratively with her clients to identify and achieve their goals.

Kristina has received specialized training in Gottman Therapy and Imago Therapy, two evidence-based approaches to couple’s therapy. Gottman therapy is focused on strengthening the friendship and intimacy in a relationship, while also helping partners manage conflict in a healthy way. Imago therapy, on the other hand, helps couples improve their communication and deepen their connection by exploring the unconscious dynamics that drive their behavior.

In addition to working with couples and families, Kristina has extensive experience working with gifted children and adults. Kristina brings a unique understanding of the challenges and opportunities that come with gifted individuals. With years of experience helping gifted clients navigate their unique experiences, Kristina is committed to helping clients thrive by identifying their strengths and supporting them through challenges such as anxiety, depression, social isolation, and existential questions. Her approach is collaborative and client-centered, and she works closely with each client to create a safe, supportive space where they can explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

Kristina is also trained in biblical counseling and is able to offer a faith-based approach to therapy for clients who are interested in integrating their spiritual beliefs into their therapeutic process.

Kristina completed her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Washington and is receiving her Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Touro University Worldwide. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and four children and playing board games.
Specialties:
• Teens and Young Adults
• Anxiety and Depression
• OCD
• Self-Esteem
• Eating Disorders
•Addiction/ Substance Use disorders
• Relationship Problems
• Communication Skills
• Trauma

Natalie Brand
MA, LMHC, MH21301

Mental Health Counselor
Natalie is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who received her Master's in Mental Health Counseling from Belmont University in Nashville, TN. She is passionate about creating a space for others to express their emotions and find the support they need to feel comfortable in their own skin and be their best selves. Natalie has worked in both agency, outpatient, and inpatient settings with individuals who struggle with mental health. She has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults who have experienced a wide range of struggles from trauma, anxiety, addiction, depression, relationship issues, self-esteem, and fear.

Therapeutic modalities that Natalie utilizes include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Play Therapy, and a Holistic Approach. Through the Holistic approach, we hope to allow the individual to recognize how the physical, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual components of their lives can affect their mindset. Using this approach allows the client to connect all aspects of their lives towards better health overall.

Natalie's goal is to help others have a safe place to express their emotions and feel heard, as well as a place for individuals to feel more confident in themselves to create positive change in their lives. When you meet with her, you can expect to feel accepted and validated while also allowing yourself to let go of the weight that has been holding you down. Through her calm demeanor and genuineness, it will feel like you can take a moment and have the time to just focus on yourself.

In her free time, Natalie loves to cook, travel, take pictures, spend time with family, and play board games.

She looks forward to working with people to break the chains of suffering! You're more than your anxiety, depression, insecurity, or other pain and suffering that life can bring. We're in this together.
Specialties:
• Adjustment/Life Transitions
• Anxiety
• Christian Counseling
• Communication/Relational
• Couples
• Family Dynamics
• Depression
• Generational Issues
• Marriage
• Pre-Marital Counseling

Dr. Carmenoemi Angela (Karlet) Reyes
MS, LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Clinical Documentation Specialist
Dr. Karlet Reyes is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who obtained her MS in Marital and Family Therapy and her PhD in Systems, Families, and Couples with an emphasis in Family Studies from Loma Linda University in California. She transitioned to the mental health field from business and hospitality/tourism, where she worked with families, couples, and individuals from a different standpoint. While planning weddings and events, she noticed a need among couples for improved relational dynamics between each other and their families. This brought Dr. Reyes to seek higher education and training to assist these individuals beyond the business aspect.

Since her switch, Dr. Reyes has worked in the field since 2016 and has worked in both California and Florida. She has worked in outpatient and non-profit settings in California, working with various individuals, including preschool-age children, at-risk adolescents, adult individuals, couples, and families. Since moving to Florida, Dr. Reyes has worked in private practice and offered counseling services in-person and telehealth, specializing in couples, family dynamics, life transitions, and trauma.

Dr. Reyes recognizes that stressors are complex and that navigating them can be overwhelming. Using a systems perspective, Dr. Reyes can help individuals better understand their current situation by further exploring what is happening within their locus of control and the macro-environments around them. Dr. Reyes allows you to be the expert of your life and collaborates with you by adding psychoeducation and clinical/research-based knowledge. Dr. Reyes believes that the therapeutic relationship can assist in one’s personal development and allow for an open and safe environment for individuals to heal. Dr. Reyes uses a variety of methods and modalities and caters treatment to individual needs, including Bowen Family Systems, Christian Counseling, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotionally Focused (couples) Therapy, Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), General Systems Theory, The Gottman Method, and Solution Focused Brief Therapy.

In her free time, Dr. Reyes enjoys spending quality time with her husband, family, and friends and traveling, DIYing, and volunteering at her church.