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.
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.
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Lin Mertens LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker Lin received her Master of Social Work from Michigan State University in 1995. She received her undergraduate degree in Human Resource Development with specialization in Human Services at Oakland University in 1992. Lin has 25+ years of providing counseling, crisis intervention and case management in a variety of settings with individuals, groups and families. Lin provides faith-based counseling to individuals, couples, groups and families. She serves people experiencing a variety of problems and disorders. Her services include counseling individuals who are experiencing depression, anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and grief related to an assortment of circumstances. She works with people who struggle with chronic concerns. In all areas of her practice she is committed to assisting those of her clients who draw upon spiritual resources for their personal healing and growth. |
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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. |
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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. |
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D. Ross Thompson, MS, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor, MH3113 I am a Florida Licensed Mental Health Counselor with a Master of Science in Psychology from Nova Southeastern University. I have worked as a counselor in Sarasota Florida for the past 30 years. I have extensive clinical experience with more than six years working in hospital settings, 18 years working to address reactive behaviors in children at the Child Protection Center, 25 years of Counseling Ministry through area churches, and the past 5 years with Samaritan Counseling Services of the Gulf Coast. |
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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. |
Administrative Staff
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
