Desiree Saleh earned a Bachelor of Science with a concentration in Human Development and Family Studies from The University of Alabama and a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy, from Palm Beach Atlantic University. She also completed her Internship at Pasco Kids First a child advocacy center.

Desiree is approaching the halfway mark towards completing her Doctorate Degree (Ed.D) Community Care and Counseling with a specialization in Traumatology. She is diligently working to complete this degree in order to provide advanced tools and skills essential to identifying and addressing the effects of emergencies, disasters, and tragedies on individuals, families, and whole communities' ability to have healthy relationships and lead successful lives.

She has been able to gain experience working with individuals and groups in the following areas:

• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reparative Therapy) Adolescents struggling with self-esteem
• Children and adults struggling with past or current traumatic experiences including sexual abuse, physical abuse and traumatic grief
• Adults and adolescents struggling with anxiety
• Adults and adolescents struggling with depression
• Self-Harm
• Children and adults with PTSD
• Helping children and their families establish or reestablish healthy communication and relationship
• Advocating for children and families experiencing chronic stress
• Spirituality
• Therapeutic visitation
• Non-offending caregiver treatment

Desiree is invested in an approach that is both integrative and dynamic with the family system as a priority. While typically practicing from an emotion focused approach, she also incorporates cognitive behavioral and experiential techniques to meet her clients at their pace.

Desiree is passionate about empowering her clients and families which in turn helps to reduce anxiety, cope with change, and grow in self-love and awareness. Desiree is keen on the importance that connection plays in the therapeutic process and she aims to create a safe and welcoming space where children, individuals, and families can work through some of their toughest challenges and concerns. She strives to help each individual and families grasp just how valuable, loved and accepted they are. Desiree enjoys working with children and families who have or are experiencing trauma; helping them to discover hope.

Desiree is trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reparative Therapy), a breakthrough technique that is used to help individuals achieve long lasting relief from traumatic experiences, Post-Traumatic Stress, anxiety, depression, panic disorders, and other emotional concerns.

Nala received her certification through All American Dog Training Program who holds certification through Canine Good Citizen, International Association of Canine Professionals, and Association of Professional Dog Trainers.

Nala has many talents:

• Provides comfort and support to those who need her the most
• Helps clients become more cognizant of their emotional reactions
• Supports resiliency in both individual and group settings through non-directive and directive approaches
• Specialized in reducing anxiety
• Assists in communication and listening skills
• An active role model in both non-verbal and verbal aspects

Nala is eager to demonstrate her skills! Although you won’t catch her starring in Disney’s Lion King, you will find that she embraces the Hakuna Matata motto, which means “no worries!” She is a friendly dog who loves attention and making others happy. While she is always enthusiastic in her greetings, her biggest attribute is her ability to put people and children at ease. Nala is notorious for wanting to hold “hands” and asking for belly rubs. When Nala is not working she loves to play fetch with her ball and go swimming. She also loves to play hide-and-seek with her ball. She is certainly a dog of many talents!