Meet Rebecca Maxwell

Founder & LMFT

I am Rebecca Maxwell and I am the founder and owner of Jacksonville Counseling Services. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Florida. My husband of 23 years and I have lived in Jacksonville for the last 17 years, raising our two sons in this amazing, family-oriented city. I started Jacksonville Counseling Services in 2015 and we have grown to 6 therapists who are dedicated to the growth and change of our clients. I hope this page helps you get to know us.

Prior to my voyage into marriage and family therapy, I spent 15 years in church ministry with children, adolescents and their families. It is my love of all different types of families that led me to pursue counseling. I have a keen interest in the health of relationships, and I utilize Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), an attachment based model that focuses on the emotional bonds between people.

I believe that humans have been given a great potential for growth. We often need someone trained to walk alongside us around, over and through the roadblocks to change. There are several evidence-based approaches that I employ along with EFT that foster change, personal growth, and freedom for individuals, couples, and families. We can discuss

the approach that is right for you.

My faith has been a the source of direction and peace in my own life. I believe that Jesus came to reconcile us to the Father, a task that we cannot do for ourselves. When welcomed by my clients, I love to share the God's Word for us as the source of identity, strength, purpose and peace. However, it is certainly not required for receiving excellent care with me. Our professional staff works hard to follow all appropriate ethical codes and never, under any circumstance, will enforce any religious beliefs on a client. Many of our clients are non-religious or are distrusting of faith-based intervention. At JCS, we seek to be “bilingual,” in that we are prepared to engage spiritual matters when the clients chooses, and at other times not, using secular/research based approaches without faith inclusion. It is our privilege and intention to work with people “where they are” in a honoring and respectful way. Our intention is to honor and love others as a core value regardless of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, political preference and/or ability.

Our staff welcomes feedback and direction as we begin your journey. It is important to us that you find a good fit in therapy. And if we are not that correct fit, we are happy to help you connect to other excellent professionals in our community. Please don't hesitate to ask any questions that you may have regarding my services or the process of counseling in general.

Hope to see you soon!

Contact Me

Meet the Team

All of our therapists are licensed with the state of Florida with either a full state license, or a provisional Registered Intern license. Registered interns are masters level clinicians who are obtaining the required hours for full licensure under the supervision of Rebecca Maxwell. In addition, Rebecca supervises one or more Masters students who are working toward their degree in a counseling field. These services are offered at a significant cost reduction.

Sara Hart

Hi, my name is Sara Hart and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, license number MH 21330, in the state of Florida. After receiving my undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of North Florida, I worked as a teacher in early education. A strong desire to further support children and their families with additional social, behavioral, and emotional challenges further led me to seek and obtain my master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University.

My approach to counseling is client-centered, utilizing informed research-based methods that are developmentally appropriate for the individual and their desired outcomes. My goal is to offer a safe and supportive environment where individuals can explore, grow and learn, as they move toward greater clarity and connection in their lives and relationships. Some of my treatment approaches include Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused therapy, Emotion Focused therapy, EMDR, mindfulness, and therapy through play with children.

I recognize the brokenness in this world and believe that one of the greatest gifts therapy can provide is renewed hope. My Christian faith affirms that Jesus is at the center of God’s great story of redemption and salvation. I believe that we are able to draw truth and wisdom from God’s word, and at the request of the client would be happy to integrate a Biblical worldview during sessions.

If you have any questions about my services or scheduling, please feel free to reach out to me at sara.allencounseling@gmail.com.

Garlyn Lawrence

Hello and welcome! I am so excited that you are here. My name is Garlyn Lawrence and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Florida, license MH 20240. I received my undergraduate degree in Psychology from Liberty University and my master’s degree in professional Mental Health Counseling from Grand Canyon University.

Prior to my experience as a counselor, I have worked with children with disabilities in the school setting and had the opportunity to volunteer in the juvenile jail center. I have learned that everyone you meet has a unique story that matters. My passion as a counselor is to hear your story, walk with you through your pain, and to help bring about hope, healing, and personal growth. Some of the techniques that I often utilize are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Talk-Therapy.

As I love working with individuals, I also have a heart for couples and pre-marital counseling with a deep desire to help find the strengths in your relationship and learn how to use them in a way that brings healing and a deeper understanding of one another.

I believe that Jesus Christ is the ultimate counselor and comforter. So, with the permission of the client, I enjoy incorporating the truth of His word, and encouraging you through His unconditional love for you. If you have any further questions regarding my services, I would love to answer those for you. I can be reached at glawrencecounseling@gmail.com.

Thank you for stopping by and hope to hear from you soon!

Tesa Saulmon

Hi, my name is Tesa Saulmon and I am a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern, license number MH22565, in the state of Florida.

My mission is to alleviate your overwhelm and boost your confidence as you navigate life's challenges. There's no manual for life, and it's easy to feel lost. But with my client-centered approach, I empower you to conquer whatever comes your way. Think of me as your guide, holding the flashlight as you explore new paths.

Imagine feeling fulfilled, encouraged, and confident as you wade through the muck of life. By discovering more about yourself and what works for you, you can reclaim the life you've always dreamed of. Together, we'll use psychoeducation, perspective, and support to help you get there.

I know it takes courage to ask for help, and change can be scary. That's why I offer a free 15-minute consultation through my website (link on the left). Let's chat and see if we're a good fit. Together, we can help you find your way.

I believe in a client-centered approach to counseling. My experience has led me to specialize in working with individuals who have experienced past traumas, including sexual trauma, betrayal trauma and infidelity, and addictions. My primary goal is to provide a safe and compassionate environment where individuals can begin their healing journey through curiosity, personal development, and learning. I believe that the life we want is within reach, and I am committed to helping my clients discover it.

If the client desires, I am more than willing to incorporate a Christian perspective into our sessions. My personal faith has been a source of comfort and strength during times when it felt like nothing could improve. I firmly believe that Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for us, and that God's word offers us compassion, understanding, and forgiveness. In my opinion, God is the ultimate counselor, and by allowing Him to guide us through our struggles with hurt, pain, and loss, we can find the light that will lead us out of the darkness.

If you have any questions about my services or scheduling, please feel free to reach out to me at tesa.saulmon.counseling@gmail.com.

Amsie Sakamoto

I am a Licensed Clincial Social Worker, a 2015 graduate of the University of Maryland School of Social Work and received my training at: Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Ventura County Behavioral Health, Arrow Child and Family Ministries, Century Regional Detention Center (LA County Sheriff's Womens Jail), Pitchess Detention Center (LA County Sheriff's Mens Jail), La Ventana Treatment Center and the Motion Picture Television Fund Hospital. I have worked with clients ranging from ages five to ninety-one. Experience from working in these settings has given me extensive knowledge and a varied background in supporting and encouraging clients' resilience in healing from trauma, grief, loss and relational strain.

My modality is Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, a future-focused, goal-directed therapy to help clients formulate, implement, achieve and sustain desired behavioral change. I utilize cognitive behavioral therapy, paired with motivational interviewing with a client, to identify what they want to change behaviorally. Emphasizing exploring communicational styles, core values and consistent habits foundationally based in increased insight and growth in honesty, faith/hope, surrendering, soul searching, integrity, acceptance, humility, willingness, forgiveness, maintenance, purpose and service.

I look forward to spending time in session with you honoring the process of applying time, grace and truth to your current circumstance.

For questions and scheduling, I can be reached at amarandalcsw@gmail.com.

Julie Norman

Hi there. I see you. I’m so glad you are here. You are not alone (or weird). We are experiencing a rise in anxiety, depression, trauma and several other complications that can make life seem- well- hazy or gray. I too have experienced feelings of being “stuck” in my head and even in my career.

I’m Julie. I am a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern, license number IMH24329, in the state of Florida. I came to counseling later in life and bring a veritable cornucopia of knowledge and lived experience to my practice. Born in South Carolina to a less than perfect family, I married young, had children young, served in the Army as Human Intelligence Collector and Korean Linguist, with various nonprofits, and in vocational ministry. I’ve planned and led mission trips, taught soldiers, and finished my master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health at Liberty University.

I am trained in several interventions. We may choose to use Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness (one of my favorite tools the TRIPP VR Mindfulness app) or outdoor therapy to meet your specific desire.

Passionate and hopeful about the challenges that military families, teens, the foster involved, and the corrections involved usually face, I work with clients through relationship and science. Using skill, intuition, assessments and data to discuss the ways you operate within the world, together we can determine how to help you walk more aligned with your personal values and at peace, regardless of your circumstances.

I have a “Gestalt orientation” that emphasizes the importance of the present moment experience, personal responsibility, and the therapeutic relationship. It is a powerful approach that can help individuals to gain insight into their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and to make positive changes in their lives. I believe that individuals are not just products of their past experiences but can actively shape their present and future by taking responsibility for their choices and actions.

I work to create a safe and supportive environment where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Together, we would focus on your immediate experience, rather than on abstract concepts or hypothetical situations, using experiential exercises in the safety of our space and relationship, such as role-playing or guided imagery, to help you explore and express your emotions and thoughts.

One of the key concepts of Gestalt therapy is the "unfinished business" or unresolved emotional experiences from the past that continue to affect the present. Together we can identify and work through these unresolved issues, to achieve closure and allow space for you to move forward in your life- obtaining peace, regardless.

If you’ve tried talking to your friends and family, tried ignoring it and “driving on”, if you’ve tried self-help books and apps- and you are still stuck, I’d love to meet you. Email me at julie@peaceregardless.com.

Meet Rebecca Maxwell

Meet the Team

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