Meet the Team

Alessana Fordin, LMHC is a licensed psychotherapist specializing in treating individuals, couples and groups. She maintains a group practice, LOTUS COUNSELING CENTER in Miami, as well as, Aventura and Boca Raton in Florida.

Her approach is collaborative and goal-oriented utilizing strategies from family systems, Cognitive-Behavioral therapy (CBT), psycho-dynamic and play therapy.

Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology with approaches to understand how you see yourself, your functioning in the world, and your relationships.

Psychotherapist specializing in individual and couples therapy, incorporate a multidimensional, holistic treatment approach.

Cristina interweaves many dynamic practices such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), emotionally focused therapy (EFT), client-centered approach, narrative therapy, brief solution focused therapy, and trauma informed therapy.

Sharon has worked with a diverse client population in various setting such as therapy rooms, schools, and community mental health centers. She enjoys working with families, couples, individuals, and adolescents dealing with life stressors including but not limited to: communication difficulties, parenting issues, depression, anxiety, self-esteem issues, anger management, marital discord, pre-marital, social skills, multicultural issues, blended families, divorce and infidelity.

Tammy has provided individual, couples, family, and group therapy for different populations: children, young adults, adults, and seniors. She has experience working with behavioral issues, lack of social cues issues, divorce, sexual issues, career guidance, anxiety, depression, grief, emotion regulation, and self-esteem issues. Tammy uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, social and assertiveness training, and mindfulness.

Dr. Beda Bjorn, MS, LMHC, has been in practice for six years in the clinical field. She has received her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of South Florida, Master's of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Capella University. Dr. Bjorn specializes in treating trauma-PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorders by integrating trauma-focused treatment, cognitive-behavioral models,  dialectical behavioral techniques, motivational interviewing, and client-centered humanistic approaches to therapy.

Cindy has a background in the medical field where she has obtained a strong foundational knowledge for medical diagnosis and medications. She understands the intricacy between medical burden and mental health. Through the years she has developed excellent rapport with the patients whom she had the pleasure to interact with, and she will continue to do so with her future clients in therapy. 

Addison is trained in individual, couple, and family therapy. Addison believes in a dynamic approach to psychotherapy, and she is dedicated to understanding each person in their entirety. Through working with Addison, clients will be encouraged to gently investigate their relationships, family dynamics, and their subconscious. 

Alexandra Vavoulis is a registered mental health counselor intern. In her traineeship, she worked as a school based therapists with elementary and middle school clients. In this setting Alexandra saw a diverse population presenting with anxiety, depression, and behavioral difficulties. After graduation, Alexandra pursued a career in Eating Disorder treatment. She worked as a primary therapist at Center for Discovery and Oliver Pyatt Centers where she gained experience in the residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient level of care.

Gessica (pronounced 'Jessica') Presken is a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. Gessica is welcoming, genuine, and creates a non-judgmental, compassionate space for all her clients. Gessica believes clients are the experts of their subjective experiences, making them the ones who truly know how a situation may have been felt and understood. Gessica is here to listen, support, and validate her clients experiences and feelings. In addition, Gessica empowers her clients to make decisions and changes in order to progress, reach self-acceptance, and achieve meaningful outcomes. Overall, she believes that the counseling relationship is a collaborative one, in which the counselor and client work together to reach identified objectives and goals.

Mr. Alvaro Domenech, LCSW is a Qualified Clinical Supervisor with over 20 years of progressive experience in Clinical Social Work, Management and Leadership. Mr. Domenech earned his Masters Degree in Social Work from Barry University in 1995. In that same year Mr. Domenech was hired to teach and subsequently coordinate the Divorce program at Miami Dade College. Mr. Domenech retired from The Institute for Child and Family Health (formerly known as Children's Psychiatric Center), after 20 years of service in December of 2015. His last appointment at ICFH which lasted 8 years was as Director of Outreach program.

Tara Kellogg, LMFT, CTP, is a licensed psychotherapist and certified telehealth practitioner with over 25 years of clinical experience. Tara received her bachelor’s degree from Castleton University in 1994 and her Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University in 1998. She specializes in individual and family counseling and has...

Jonathan Closner is a clinical and therapeutic mental health counselor who has been serving his community for over 15 years.  As a therapist, he uses clinical interventions and techniques that are personalized for each individual client.  He has extensive training and experience in evidenced based treatments such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior...

Making the choice to seek help is not an easy one. Life can get overwhelming to the point that we feel stuck; being unable to make the changes we want. My goal is to empower clients in regaining the confidence and self-worth needed to live a more fulfilling life. I am a Licensed Mental Health...

Björn Sveinsson is a Registered Clinical Mental Health Counselor Intern who has completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in the same community that raised him: South Florida. For Björn, the present moment is the means of service and legacy for the client. Björn has experience working with comorbid preteens to geriatric populations relating to LGBTQIA+,...

Ziji is a registered clinician from New York who received her M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University, and her B.A. in Neuroscience from Smith College. Ziji spent fifteen years at wellness retreat centers, part of which she built live CE training workshops on topics including Mindfulness (MBSR), Acceptance (ACT), Self-compassion (MBSC), Trauma...

Hannah Scott is a Marriage and Family Therapy student completing her Master’s degree at the University of Miami. Hannah received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Akron in Ohio, the state in which she grew up. Hannah has experience as a behavior technician where she worked with a diverse population of children...

Emily is an MHC student pursuing her Master’s degree at the University of Miami and completing her practicum outplacement at Lotus Counseling Center. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree from Bucknell University where she majored in psychology. Emily has experience working in media and advertising, as well as with children and adolescents. She spent her summer...

Jessie Levine, RMHC-I Jessie Levine is a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern. She works to create a welcoming and non-judgmental environment for her clients. Jessie is an attentive listener who understands and validates her clients’ feelings. Born and raised in South Florida, she has been exposed to a very diverse population, therefore understands the needs...

Jessica Reis Graduate Counseling Intern Jessica Reis (she/her) is a Marriage and Family Therapy Student completing her master’s degree at Syracuse University while also finishing up her certification in Sex Therapy from Modern Sex Therapy Institute. She also is certified in Gottman Level 1 and 2 Training. Jessica’s work as a therapist is guided by empathy,...

Talia Renner Graduate Counseling Intern Talia Renner is a practicum student from the University of Miami’s Master’s in Mental Health Counseling program. Her Mexican and American heritage blend allows her to communicate fluently in Spanish and English, guaranteeing genuine connections with diverse groups. Having engaged with underserved communities across Mexico, Israel, and the USA, Talia remains...

DALIT MOSKONA, ESQ, JD. After graduating from law school, I worked as an Assistant Public Defender, representing indigent clients. I loved my work, but after years of working and studying Meditation locally, I realized that I wanted a broader and deeper life experience. And so, I took a leave of absence, packed up and began...

Dana Shani, RMHC-I (English/Hebrew) Dana works to create a warm, welcoming and non-judgmental therapeutic rapport with each of her clients, a firm believer that open communication is a healing modality in itself. She is passionate about traveling and has used her personal experiences with people and cultures around the world to foster deep and meaningful connections,...

Sarah Fleurestil M.S. Ed, RMFT-I (English/Creole) Sarah Fleurestil is a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern trained in individual, couples, and family therapy. Sarah completed her training at the University of Miami with a degree in counseling with a focus in marriage and family therapy. She is committed to instilling hope and serving as catalyst for positive...