Samaritan Counseling Services of the Gulf Coast

Clinical Staff
Requests for a specific counselor will be honored whenever possible; however, SCS reserves the right to assign therapists based on office requested, therapist's time available, and the modality needed to suit the client's needs.

Reverend Rick Howell, Th.M, LMHC
Executive Director, MH6032

The Rev. Rick Howell, Executive Director, is a native of Tampa, Florida. Rick graduated from Stetson University with a Bachelor's Degree in Religion. He earned a Master's Degree in Divinity and a Master's Degree in Theology at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Rick was ordained into the ministry in 1986. He is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of Florida; a Fellow in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors; and a Clinical Member in the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.

Diane Brantley, MSW, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, SW7796

Diane received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of South Florida in 2001, after earning her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Baylor University. She is trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure Therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). She has experience in providing treatment to individuals with issues, such as, depression, anxiety, including Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), grief, divorce, codependency, and trauma, including family violence and sexual abuse. She enjoys working with the aging population and women of all ages including young adults, and older teens. Diane values integrating her faith into the helping process with her clients.

Rev. William R. Clough, D.Min.
Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy Training Coordinator

Bill was born in Tarpon Springs, FL, his degrees include a Bachelor of Science from Florida Presbyterian (Eckerd) College St. Petersburg, FL; Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Louisville Presbyterian Seminary; and Master of Arts from Salve Regina University, Newport, RI. He served as a church pastor; Chaplain, US Navy; and Program Chair of the Pastoral Community Counseling Program at Argosy University. He was a clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and Educator member of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.

Elizabeth Ibanez, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist FL PY7792

Dr. Elizabeth Ibanez is a bilingual licensed psychologist who provides individually tailored counseling and psychological assessments to children, teens, and adults. Dr. Ibanez obtained her doctorate (2007) and master’s degrees (2003) in Clinical Psychology from Texas Tech University. Prior to joining Samaritan this past year, she worked for ten years in private practice and taught as an adjunct faculty member at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale. Dr. Ibanez aims to provide clients with a caring, supportive, and comfortable environment to identify contributing factors to presenting problems such as personal histories and thought and
behavior patterns and replace these with more adaptive coping skills to improve wellbeing. Dr. Ibanez strives to help clients better manage stress, mood, anxiety/worry, and conflicts and ultimately to improve daily functioning and experience the joy, comfort, and peace that God has intended. She especially enjoys working with parents and youth and assisting families with navigating life transitions.

Linda Martin, MS, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor, MH3149

Linda Martin, LMHC earned a Masters in Counseling Psychology and a Masters in School Guidance from Nova Southeastern University and a Bachelors in Psychology and a Bachelors in Sociology from UCLA. She has over forty years of clinical experience in various environments including five years as a school guidance counselor, adult dual diagnosis (inpatient), adult & geriatric general psychopathology (inpatient and partial hospitalization), adolescent psychiatric and drug & alcohol treatment programs (inpatient and residential), and independent private practice. She has specialized training to address domestic violence, addictions, and to support couples seeking a healthy marriage. She also has specialized training in hypnotherapy to reduce stress and anxiety, and to provide pain management. Linda and her husband Lee, live in Bradenton and worship at Palma Sola Presbyterian Church.

Maribeth McDermott, MS, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor, MH8321

Maribeth has been counseling adults, adolescents and children for over 20 years. She received her Master’s Degree in Counseling and Human Relations from Villanova University in Pennsylvania where she specialized in working with individuals, couples and groups focused on addiction, co-dependency and sexual abuse issues. Maribeth uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to assist individuals suffering from anxiety, depression, addiction and trauma to find the strength and resources to heal and restore health and balance. She has also been trained to use Eye Movement Desensitization and Re-Processing (EMDR) and Emotional Freedom Technique which are both helpful in treating trauma and addiction as well as other issues. Maribeth has extensive experience with children who have ADHD, Learning Differences and Autism Spectrum Disorders. She has completed adoption Competency Training and has worked with adoptive families for many years. Maribeth’s faith is an integral part of her commitment to offer the best possible counseling experience for her clients.

James Miller, MSW, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, SW10207

Samaritan Counseling Services of the Gulf Coast recently hired James Miller, MSW, LCSW as a counselor. Miller graduated from Michigan State University with a Master's Degree in Social Work. He has worked many years in the Behavioral Health counseling field and has experience with a wide variety of situations for which people seek help; anxiety, depression, addiction and relationship concerns. He most recently was a grief counselor with Tidewell Hospice. James and his wife Debra are members of the Covenant Mennonite Fellowship.

Contact Leah

Leah Petrucci, MA, RMHCI
Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern, IMH13177

Leah graduated in 2014 with a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Argosy University in Sarasota, Fl. She is currently a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern, pursuing licensure. She is trained in various therapeutic techniques to address individuals, couples, and families on a variety of issues, such as grief and loss, family dynamics, relationship/marital issues,
codependency, trauma, spiritual issues, mood disorders, addictions, issues among the LGBT population, and emotional disturbances related to physical pain and stress. Leah recently became certified in Spiritually Integrated Therapy -- a 2 year certification
program sponsored by our agency’s governing body, the Samaritan Institute.

Karen Tidwell, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor, MH12965

Karen Tidwell, LMHC, specializes in work with children (beginning at age 3), teens, and adults who are suffering from depression, anxiety, life adjustments, grief, and mood disorders. Sexual abuse, domestic violence, and trauma are Karen’s specialties. Karen offers weekday as well as Saturday appointments and works out of the University Parkway satellite office. She lives in Bradenton with her husband, Allan, and has two grown children. Karen graduated with a BS from Central Michigan in education (English and Art) and uses writing and art in therapy when clients wish. Karen earned her Master’s in Professional Counseling from Liberty University. She is a member of the AACC (American Association of Christian Counselors) and believes that God is the ultimate healer. Karen and her husband are members of Bayshore Baptist Church in Bradenton.

D. Ross Thompson, MS, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor, MH3113

D. Ross Thompson, M.S., LMHC, brings more than 20 years of experience counseling children and adults in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. He desires assisting clients to gain strength and grow when challenges come. He supports families to go across the currents of life struggles and gain freedom with faith.

Richard J. Vantrease, D.Min., LMFT 3500
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist.

Richard is a marriage and family therapist with more than twenty years’ experience counseling individuals of various ethnic and social-economic backgrounds, including children, adolescents and adults. He and his wife moved to Florida in 1989; prior to that they were living in Louisville, Kentucky where he was pastor at a Lutheran church.

Catherine Sykes
Intern

Catherine earned her Master of Social Work in May of 1996 from Boston College (Boston, Massachusetts). She is currently a Registered Clinical Social Worker Intern for the state of Florida, pursuing licensure. Catherine is furthering her ability to integrate spirituality into therapy by attending Samaritan Counseling’s Spiritually Integrated Therapy program. She completed coursework in Advanced Group Work as well as training in Attachment Disorders in 2000. Catherine received licensure as a school social worker for the state of Virginia in 1998. She also completed training as a Stephens Minister in 2012. Catherine is looking forward to integrating spirituality into the therapeutic process.

Administrative Staff

Cheri Bernd-Dancha
Office Administrator

Cheri moved to Lakewood Ranch from Minnesota about 2 years ago with her husband. She has three adult children and two adult step-children. She spent a number of years as an investment banker for regional and national firms. Cheri studied to become an addiction counselor and spent a six-month internship with Hazelden in Minnesota. In addition, she worked for a non-profit that re-mediated lead in inner city homes for low-income families. Cheri said, “I am so happy to be a part of such a loving and supportive team, working together to make the world a better place.” Cheri and her husband are members of Grace Community Church.

Melinda Cerny, MA
Administrative Assistant

Samaritan Counseling Services of the Gulf Coast recently hired Melinda Cerny as an Administrative Assistant in charge of launching the Spiritually Integrated Therapy internship program. The SIT training program is designed to equip interns to meet state licensure requirements for supervised clinical experience as well as to provide spiritually integrated therapy with their clients. Melinda previously worked at MIT as an academic administrator and student advisor. She holds a BA degree in English Education from Michigan State University and a MA degree in Counseling Psychology from Lesley University in Cambridge Massachusetts. Melinda and her husband, Ken, moved to Lakewood Ranch in 2012 and are active members of Harvest United Methodist Church.

Betsy Hall
Administrative Assistant

Betsy is no stranger to Samaritan. Her husband Brian is a past board president, and Betsy has spent many hours volunteering on various committees for Samaritan. She started volunteering in the admin office, and we decided we could not do without her special talents, so she became a part-time administrative assistant. Betsy has a long career of teaching and those organizational skills have been invaluable to Samaritan. Betsy’s faith is an inspiration to all who are blessed to know her.