Clinicians
Our team of caring clinicians is dedicated to providing personalized, evidence-based care for children, teens, adults, couples, and families. We believe everyone deserves a safe, supportive space to heal, grow, and thrive. Our goal is to provide compassionate care for every age and every stage of life.

Founder, Therapist
Melissa Vollhardt, MS, LMFT, RPT
I take a person-centered, strengths-based approach to counseling, recognizing that every individual and family has unique experiences, challenges, and goals. I integrate evidence-based approaches—including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Family Systems Therapy, and Play Therapy—to create a personalized treatment plan that meets each client's needs. I work with children, teens, young adults, and families facing a wide range of concerns. Common areas of focus include anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, emotional regulation, behavioral challenges, school difficulties, social skills, family conflict, trauma, attachment concerns, life transitions, anger, bullying, parenting challenges, relationship and communication difficulties, infertility and adoption, and blended family dynamics. I enjoy working with clients of all ages and believe therapy is most effective when it is collaborative and tailored to each person's unique needs. When working with children and teens, parents and caregivers play an important role in the therapeutic process. As a systemic family therapist, I believe children make the greatest progress when therapists and caregivers work together. Every family is different, so parent involvement is individualized based on your child's goals and needs. This may include completing brief progress updates, participating in parent or family sessions, and learning practical strategies to reinforce growth outside of therapy. Building a strong therapeutic relationship is an important part of the counseling process. For this reason, I generally recommend weekly sessions for the first four weeks to establish consistency and momentum. After that, we'll regularly review progress together and determine whether continuing weekly sessions or transitioning to a different schedule best supports your goals. The length of therapy varies from person to person and depends on your unique needs and treatment goals. While research from the Association for Play Therapy suggests many children attend an average of around 20 sessions, every individual's journey is different. Some clients experience meaningful progress in a shorter period of time, while others benefit from longer-term support. Therapy is always guided by your progress, and we will collaborate throughout the process to determine when treatment goals have been met. Whether you're seeking support for yourself, your relationship, or your child, I'd be happy to discuss your goals and determine whether we're the right fit. If another clinician would better meet your needs, I'm always happy to provide a trusted referral.

Founder, Therapist
Caitlin Fay, LCSW
When the worst has happened our brains can begin seeing danger at every turn. We may find ourselves reliving the event over and over again while the people around us seem to just be moving on. Maybe you are the caretaker of a child who has experienced trauma and don't know where to begin helping them heal. I started New Growth Counseling with Melissa because, just like a seedling needs soil, water, and sunshine; we all need care during difficult and traumatic times. The care and treatment you deserve, is here. The counseling approach I use most often is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Sometimes, our thoughts, feelings, and actions can become overwhelming and finding a way out can seem impossible. Our children and teens experience this as well, especially when a trauma has occurred. My goal is to help my clients live happier, healthier lives through communication, education, and support. My favorite part about therapy is the journey, with all it's ups and downs. Children and adolescents have little control over their world and will often seek control through behaviors that are upsetting and difficult for their caretakers. In session, I strive to give clients a voice and choice over their own treatment, and help them build skills they can take out into the world. Every person is different, so therapy must be flexible, creative, and current to be effective. Here is a little bit about me: I grew up on the Jersey Shore and moved to Florida to attend Flagler College. I graduated from Flagler with a BA in psychology and returned to New Jersey to complete my Master's Degree in Social Work at Monmouth University. I have been a permanent resident of St. Augustine since 2014. My career has centered around working with kids and their families who have experienced trauma. I have worked with many children in foster care, and families pre and post adoption. I am currently in the process of becoming certified in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and have completed Adoption Competency Training. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, and pets, swimming, and gardening.
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Therapist
Katie Polston, M.Ed, Ed.S, LMFT
Welcome! Finding the right fit is the first step to beginning your therapy journey. This exploration is an important piece in creating the foundation for the work that you intend to do. I work with individuals, couples and families who are navigating difficulties in relationships as well as individual concerns, family conflicts and life transitions. Often this work includes circumstances of trauma, grief, substance use and disordered eating. I provide a supportive environment and utilize a holistic approach in order to fully understand each individual and their unique experiences. This means determining the most appropriate evidenced based treatment modalities to incorporate in our work. I find value in collaborating with my clients by encouraging them through a strength-based approach and employing aspects of motivational interviewing. My focus in working with clients is to facilitate self-understanding and autonomy. Whether in relation to yourself or others, I believe there is always an opportunity to move toward growth and I am excited to be a part of that process! A little about me: I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Florida (MT4548). On a more personal level I am a water lover and dedicated dog mom! I grew up in the Florida Keys, but moved to Gainesville to pursue a career in counseling. I completed my undergraduate degree in psychology as well as my graduate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of Florida. I gained experience working with adults and adolescents in community settings as well as private practice. I have been fortunate to find great fulfillment in this work and I continue to be inspired by the healing and growth of my clients.

Therapist
Amanda Barnes, MA, LMHC
I’m glad you’re here and taking the time to learn more about me. I believe everyone can benefit from counseling at some point in their life, whether to process trauma, navigate a difficult transition, or simply practice self-care. About Me I specialize in family issues, ADHD, anxiety, and life changes. My goal is to provide a supportive and empowering environment where you can grow, heal, and gain practical tools for everyday life. Therapy is a powerful way to better understand ourselves, and I encourage you to reach out for any reason. If I’m not the right fit, I’ll gladly help you find a counselor who is. My Approach I take an Integrative Approach to therapy, blending evidence-based methods that are tailored to each individual or family’s unique needs. Some of my primar approaches include: -Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Identifying and reframing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors -Play Therapy: Supporting emotional expression and healing in children and families through play -Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Building mindfulness, emotional regulation, and effective communication -Relaxation & Mindfulness Techniques: Reducing stress and promoting calm and focus Together, we’ll create a plan that supports your goals and encourages growth at your own pace. My Experience I’ve had the privilege of working in a variety of settings, including: - Schools with IEP and ESE populations - Schools in low-income communities - Community mental health - Private practice These experiences have deepened my understanding of diverse family systems, school dynamics, and community challenges. I earned my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, specializing in Children and Adolescents, from Lewis University in Illinois. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (MH26825) in the state of Florida and am currently pursuing my Registered Play Therapist (RPT) credential, which I expect to complete by the end of 2026. A Bit About Me I grew up in a small farm town in Illinois and always dreamed of exploring more of the world. Since then, I’ve lived in seven states and visited 34. My goal is to see all 50! I moved to Florida to be closer to family and have loved discovering everything it has to offer from the beaches to visiting Disney and exploring all St. Augustin has to offer. look forward to meeting you and helping you or your family take the next step toward healing, growth, and lasting change.

Therapist
Lara Tant, MA, R-DMT
Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
Registered Dance & Movement Therapist
904-650-3467
Welcome! If you are visiting our website, you have already taken a courageous step on your pathway to healing. It is hard to live in our world where there are many barriers stacked up against us, my role as a therapist is to walk beside you on your journey to help you overcome what stands in the way and provide acceptance through listening to validate and celebrate you, as the honored author and expert of your own story. Together we will celebrate what is working, nourish your potential, and help you turn on the light when things feel dark, create space for growth in self-awareness and presence, and empower you to choose to find meaning, hope, and purpose amid circumstances that may not be in our control. What we go through leaves marks on our body and mind because they are intricately connected. Our thoughts and emotions impact how our body feels; and how our body feels impacts our thoughts and emotions. Making changes in how we move our body can help us change how we think and navigate the difficulties we are experiencing in life. New feelings and thoughts may come up when we are shifting how we move. Dance/movement therapy creates a safe space for these feelings to come up so that they may be identified and validated through nonverbal and verbal processing to find meaningful applications to life outside of therapy. My therapeutic style is to utilize creative movement to playfully and joyfully ignite vitality and support you in involving your body in the healing process. I employ a person-centered, trauma-informed, integrative approach to counseling and dance/movement therapy. I rely upon the healing properties inherent in dance and the creative arts therapies, supported by psychological theory to foster growth and change. I also use components of yoga, mindfulness and breath work, to achieve cognitive, physical, social, and emotional integration. We will make decisions together about how to include the body, mind and spirit on your healing journey. I attended Drexel University in Philadelphia, where I received a Master’s Degree in both Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling. As a registered dance/movement therapist I have witnessed transformative outcomes in my work with adolescent boys in the foster care system, and with both children and adults with developmental and intellectual differences. This practice brought hope to victims and survivors of human sex trafficking, which is described in a book chapter I co-authored in Dance/Movement Therapy for Trauma Survivors, published by Routledge in 2022. I am also a professional ballet dancer and teacher who lived for many years in New York City, traveling to teach and dance in India, South Africa, and France. I continue to teach children to dance. It fills my heart with joyful gratitude to uplift dancers, from the tiniest to the tallest, as they fulfill their highest potential. Just as in the therapeutic setting, my goal is to help them keep their hearts and minds healthy and happy in the process.

Graduate Intern Student
Coming soon...
Our new Graduate student Intern will be taking new clients September 2026. Please contact Melissa Vollhardt- melissa@newgrowthsta.com for more infomation or fill out our contact form below to be put on her waitlist

Additional Services

Hebbler Rehabilitation, Inc.
Dani Hebbler
DPT, MOT, OT
Welcome to Hebbler Rehabilitation! I’m glad you are taking the time to learn more about occupational therapy, myself as a practitioner, and how I can help support you or your family. Occupational therapy (OT) is an allied health profession that supports an individual’s ability to function as independently as possible in their daily routines and activities. As an occupational therapist, I work with clients on achieving goals that are meaningful and support participation in daily activities. My treatment style is client-centered and strength-based. Using an integrative approach, OT sessions will focus on strengthening existing skills, improving areas of functional deficit, and promoting the client’s overall development with the goal of increasing independence and success in daily routines. I believe that each child (and teen) is unique, and a “standardized” approach doesn’t fit all. I provide individualized, client-centered care that encourages collaboration and participation by all to improve the child’s ability to participate in what is important and meaningful. On a personal note, I’m a born and raised Floridian- this is the farthest “north” I’ve called home! I married a Louisiana man and we decided St. Augustine is our forever home. We have two wonderful little girls who keep me on my toes, and a cat who demands I slow down to snuggle. I’m a foodie at heart, a live music lover, and a water woman- though you’re more likely to find me napping in the sun than on the water. I graduated from the University of Central Florida with a bachelors degree in Health Sciences. I then continued my education and received a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy as well as a doctoral degree in Physical Therapy at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. I spent the first decade of my career practicing as an occupational therapist in skilled nursing and pediatric (early intervention, outpatient) settings, and I currently teach anatomy to the next generation of OT students at the University of St. Augustine. If you think we may be a good fit, please reach out to discuss how I can support you and your child. How long is each session? 50 minutes per treatment session (initial evaluation 60-90 minutes; re-evaluation 60 minutes) How do I schedule an appointment? All new clients must call (904-344-5210) or email (hebblerrehab@gmail.com) me to schedule an intake session. For new clients, once we speak and schedule the first session, you will receive an email with consent forms and intake questionnaires to complete prior to your appointment. These documents must be completed at least 24 hours prior to the start of the first session. If you are scheduling an appointment for your minor child, I will need to speak with the parent or legal guardian prior to the first session. If you are the legal guardian of a child or have shared custody of a child, I am required to obtain legal guardianship and/or custody agreement documentation prior to the fist appointment. What is your session fee? Do you take insurance? My session rate is $165 per session. [See good faith estimate for further details] I currently do not accept any insurance plans but I am a credentialed Early Steps provider & StepUp4Students Scholarship provider. I am considered an "out of network" provider by your insurance company. Upon request, I can provide you with a diagnostic receipt of services (a Superbill) that you can submit to your insurance company. The State of Florida does not require a doctor's order for occupational therapy to be provided. If plans are to submit to your insurance provider, please obtain an order from your doctor for "occupational therapy evaluation and treatment," and also discuss with your insurance provider to determine their policies regarding reimbursement as not all insurance providers do so. How do I pay for sessions? I accept cash, all major credit cards, checks, and HSA cards. I am an approved provider for Step Up for Students (FES-UA) scholarship recipients! What can OT help with? “Achieving health, well-being, and participation in life through engagement in occupation is the overarching statement that describes the domain and process of occupational therapy in its fullest sense.” (AOTA, 2014) Translation: Think about everything you do from the time you wake up until you return to sleep; what things are difficult to do on your own? What things are affecting your ability to participate in what’s meaningful to you or your family? Common areas of treatment focus include: -Self-care skills (such as bathing/showering, dressing, personal hygiene, functional mobility, feeding, toileting, etc.) -Fine motor skills - Visual motor/visual perceptual skills - Gross motor skills - Handwriting - Balance & coordination - Sensory processing & self-regulation skills - Participation in leisure activities (play, hobbies, sports) - Support academic success (executive functioning, cognitive tasks, environmental modifications, etc.) What ages do you treat? I enjoy working with all ages (newborns/infants, children, adolescents, caregivers). When working with children or teenagers, depending on treatment goals and needs, caregivers are typically very much involved in the therapeutic process. I'd be happy to discuss your goals for yourself and/or your child and if we are not a good fit, I can make a referral to another therapist who may be. How involved will I be in my child's therapy? Every child is different, so the level of involvement from parents & caregivers will look different from family to family. In my experience (highly supported by research), children progress faster when we- therapist, child & caregivers/parents- work together. We will discuss, based on your child's needs, what level of involvement is most appropriate. At the minimum, I require all parents & caregivers to complete an update/progress form prior to each session. I also may suggest family sessions and/or individual sessions with caretakers to teach skills & techniques, provide additional support, and to address your concerns. How often will I come to therapy and for how long? Frequency is established during our initial evaluation based on the goals we will be working towards. Typically, we begin with 1-2x/week and adapt as needed to achieve treatment goals. Therapy ends when treatment goals are achieved. Every individual is unique, and some children improve faster while others need more long-term support.

Child Life and Loss
Danielle Eaves Hernandez, MPH, CCLS, CTRS, GC-C, CPH
Certified Child Life Specialist
Certified Therapeutic Recreational Specialist
Certified Grief Counselor
904-962-5071
Welcome to Child Life and Loss Hi, I’m Danielle Eaves Hernandez, a Certified Child Life Specialist, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Certified Grief Counselor and Certified Public Health Professional. My mission is to support the psychosocial needs of children, adults, and families through illness, loss, and life’s toughest moments. My approach blends validating feelings, building coping skills, and bringing a little sunshine, even on the heaviest days. I began private practice because I saw a gap in services for children, teens, families and adults of all ages experiencing challenging times. I believe in both individual sessions as well as family sessions to promote open conversation and healing together. Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS) educate children and families through translating medical jargon, medical play, books, and hands-on science experiments to understand illness and medical conditions. Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRS) provide adaptive leisure activities to persons with various abilities to promote fun, autonomy and socialization, and memory making. As a certified public health professional (CPH), I educate communities and schools, using developmentally appropriate language and play to make health and wellness topics interactive, enjoyable and meaningful. I also train medical providers on strategies to reduce medical anxiety, promote medication compliance, increase access to care, and facilitate support groups on various medical conditions and remembrance ceremonies. As a certified grief counselor (GC-C), I work with individuals of all ages through many kinds of loss. I’ve guided parents through the heartbreak of perinatal loss, supported families facing a life-limiting diagnosis, and walked alongside those navigating the long journey of chronic illness and those experiencing complicated grief. I’ve been there for children whose loved ones were in hospice, died suddenly, or experienced a tragic accident. I’ve worked with kids and young adults with neurotypical and neurodiverse conditions, physical challenges, and developmental differences from all over the world. Because grief takes many forms and surfaces at any time, I also support families mourning the loss of a beloved pet or the loss of normalcy after natural disasters. It is a privilege to walk such sacred ground with families who are missing a loved one. I learn from my clients on how to best support them, provide memory making activities, engage in life review to learn more about your person, and promote ways to continue your connection. Since 2008, I’ve worked with over 600 families at Community Hospice & Palliative Care, supporting them at home, in schools, and in clinics from the time of diagnosis to years after a death. .Alongside my private practice work, I’ve spoken locally, nationally, and internationally about the value of child life services, deployed for hurricanes and earthquakes with The American Red Cross & Child Life Disaster Relief, served on international mission trips and co-authored a hospice and palliative care chapter in The Role of Child Life Specialist in the Community. I believe all children and families deserve access to meaningful support through illness, trauma and loss. When I’m not working, you’ll usually find me chasing my toddler and dachshunds, at the beach with my family, planning my next travel adventure, or cheering on the Florida Gators in the Swamp. I look forward to meeting you and am honored to be part of New Growth Counseling.

Leveling Up Therapy, LLC
Danielle Annal, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Feeding Specialist
Neurodiversity Coach
253-241-4120
Welcome to Leveling UpTherapy Thank you for stopping by to learn more about how I can support you or your family. I'm so glad you're here. I’m a speech-language pathologist and neurodiversity coach serving children, teens, and adults in St. Johns County, Florida. My approach combines traditional speech therapy with strengths-based coaching to support individuals with autism, ADHD, stuttering, picky eating, and unique communication styles. Whether we are working on expressive language, social skills, executive functioning, or real-life problem solving, I focus on interests, flexibility, and strategies that are practical and sustainable. I take a collaborative and affirming approach to speech therapy. I believe in meeting each person where they are and helping them feel more confident, connected, and understood. I am certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). I hold a master’s degree in Communicative Disorders from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a bachelor’s degree from Washington State University (Go Cougs!). I am trained in the SOS Approach to Feeding, Feed the Peds, and use Food Chaining techniques to support selective eaters and children with feeding challenges. Outside of work, I’m a mom to a spirited elementary-aged boy and a proud Navy Reserve spouse. We share our home with a playful Great Dane who believes she owns the couch. My family enjoys going for walks, watching my son play baseball and flag football, and spending time outdoors. I’m passionate about helping kids, teens, and adults who move through the world differently, especially those navigating autism, ADHD, stuttering, feeding challenges, unique communication styles, or who have been late-diagnosed with ADHD or autism, feel safe, seen, and supported in who they are. FAQs: Below are some of the most frequently asked questions and requests below. If you have more questions or would like to schedule an appointment, feel free to contact me. How do I get started? Call (253) 241-4120 or email admin@levelinguptherapy.com to schedule a free 15–30 minute consultation. This gives us time to talk through your goals, ask questions, and make sure it feels like a good fit. Do I need a referral to begin services? Not in Florida. Speech-language therapy can begin without a referral. If you plan to submit for insurance reimbursement, your plan may require a doctor’s order for “speech-language evaluation and treatment.” Do you accept insurance? I’m an out-of-network provider and do not bill insurance directly. I can give you a superbill after each session that you can submit for potential reimbursement. Helpful questions to ask your insurance provider: Does my plan cover out-of-network speech therapy? Is a referral or prior authorization required? How many sessions are covered per year? How much are sessions & how do I pay? Sessions are $120 for 50 minutes. This includes time for parent communication and documentation. Shorter or longer sessions may be available based on your needs. Accepted payment methods: Credit/debit card HSA/FSA Cash Payment is due at the time of service. What ages do you work with? I work with children, teens, and adults. I also support parents and caregivers with feeding, executive functioning, and communication strategies. What areas do you specialize in? Autism and ADHD Late-diagnosed neurodivergent individuals Speech and language delays Executive functioning skills Stuttering Feeding therapy for selective or anxious eaters Social communication AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication): includes speech-generating devices, communication apps, and picture boards Unique communication style
If you have any questions or are ready to get started, please complete our Inquiry Form below, and a member of our intake team will reach out soon!
Office Information
Address
150 Southpark Blvd Suite 208
St Augustine FL 32086
Contact
Office: 904-999-4626
Fax: 904-289-2406
Opening Hours
Mon - Fri
8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Saturday
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday
Closed
