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Riley received his B.A. in Philosophy and double minor in Catholic Studies and Theology and Religious Studies from John Carroll University. He holds an M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy with a graduate certificate in Substance Abuse and Addictions Counseling from the University of South Florida. He is on the Advisory Board for the University of South Florida’s Marriage and Family Therapy graduate program and also serves on the board for Emotionally Focused Therapy of Tampa Bay as their training coordinator.

Riley previously worked at a VA outpatient clinic for two years as their couples and families specialist. Currently, he is the practice manager at St. Petersburg Counseling and the supervisor for their student internship program. Riley has advanced training in Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples, individuals, and families, and EFT is his primary modality that he uses with his clients.

Topics for Discussion:

• Working in an agency vs. private practice
• EFCT, EFIT, EEFT
• Post-graduation/MFT Exam Prep
  
  

Monica has been a relationship therapist for over 15 years and in private practice since 2007. She has extensive training in systemic couples and family therapy. She is  also Level 3 Gottman Couples Therapy Method Trained. Monica received her Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University. She is the past president of the Florida Association of Marriage and Family Therapy and has been a speaker at several state conferences on couples therapy and affair recovery. She has also created couples retreats and seminars for the Tampa Bay area. She hosts a YouTube Channel on Relationships and Mental Health and co-hosts a podcast called ShrinksChat on Mental Health issues.

Danerys Crown graduated in 2011 with her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy at Valdosta State University. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and an AAMFT-Approved Supervisor and Mentor with more than 14 years of clinical experience. Danerys was born in Puerto Rico but left at the age of 3 due to her father joining the military, so she spent most of her childhood in Fort Benning, Georgia. She is passionate about advocating for the mental health and well-being of our service members, first responders, and their families. She has worked at the Department of Veteran Affairs since 2013, which means she was a part of the first waves of Marriage and Family Therapists ever hired at the VA. She continues to advocate for advancing the role of MFTs at the VA Directing the MFT training internship at the Tampa VA, which will received its first MFT student trainees in 2024. Danerys was the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award for the Dewar College of Education and Human Services for Valdosta State University. 

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Dr. James Rujimora is a licensed mental health counselor in the state of Florida. He has a Masters in Mental Health Counseling and a Masters in Developmental Psychology. He earned his PhD in Education from the University of Central Florida. Dr. James is trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). He has completed EFT Externship and Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy for Trauma. Dr. James also works full-time at Camp Boggy Creek, a camp for children and their families experiencing serious medical and behavioral health issues. At Boggy Creek, Dr. James serves as their Director of Behavioral Health and Wellness, where he manages the behavioral health of campers, manages and supports staff well-being, oversees their program evaluation, and facilitates the behavioral health internship and volunteer program. 

Topics of Discussion:

• Couples Therapy
• Individual Therapy
• Therapeutic Recreation
• Career Development
• Child and Adolescent Development
• Chronic Illness and Family Systems

Jacqueline (Jackie) Phillips, LMHC, NCC is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor currently pursuing a Ph.D. degree in Counselor Education & Supervision from the University of the Cumberlands. Jackie hails from the twin-island nation of Trinidad & Tobago and has been living, studying, and working in the Tampa Bay area for over 10 years. She has worked in community mental health serving the homeless population through Metropolitan Ministries since 2016. Her primary concentration during her career has been in providing mental health treatment through individual, family, and group counseling for persons who have experienced trauma. 
 
Jackie has worked with survivors and families that have experienced domestic violence, grief and loss, PTSD, anxiety, depression, ADHD, ASD, and other learning and cognitive issues. She has extensive experience in trauma-informed care and provides training and counseling services that promote this modality. Jackie has a passion for training, mentoring, and supervising counselors in training. Jackie is a Person-Centered Counselor, and she utilizes an integrative therapeutic approach of Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Gestalt and is fully trained and certified in Accelerated Resolution Therapy.

Dr. Wilkerson graduated from a COAMFTE and CACREP accredited program and has been a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist for over 15 years. Dr. Wilkerson also became a Certified Addictions Professional in 2004 and is currently a Master Certified Addictions Professional. Dr. Wilkerson received her doctorate degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Industrial Organizational Psychology after earning an Master of Business Administration and working with Fortune 50 Managed Care Companies as a Utilization Manager. She is a qualified supervisor for Marriage and Family Therapy Interns and Mental Health Counseling Interns. Throughout her 20 years in the behavioral health field, Dr. Wilkerson has worked with children, adults, couples and families in a variety of settings. Dr. Wilkerson is Licensed to practice Marriage and Family Therapy in Florida, Kansas and Texas. She is a Clinical Fellow Member of AAMFT and holds a professional membership in NAADAC. She currently serves in a leadership role at the Adult Addictions Receiving Facility through the Agency of Community Treatment Services. This role provides her the opportunity to continue working with individuals and couples as they embark on their journey through early recovery.

Pamela Bradford is a dedicated Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent with a passion for strengthening family relationships and promoting mental wellbeing within communities. With over 15 years of experience in community engagement on behalf of the University of Florida IFAS Extension, she strives to foster healthy communication, resilience, and understanding within families, and provide guidance navigating the complexities of relationships and mental health. Bradford holds a Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Management from USF College of Public Health, and is currently completing a Master of Arts in Chaplaincy at Fuller Theological Seminary. Pam aspires to offer her skills and ministry in the area of workplace chaplaincy. She and her husband Ron have been married for 26 years and they have two sons, Aaron and Isaac.

Shannon holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Florida and a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of South Florida. With a strong commitment to clinical excellence and evidence-based practice, Shannon is trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and DBT for children. She brings a depth of experience in relational and developmental therapy and is dedicated to fostering resilience and emotional well-being in individuals, couples, and families.