I am a wife and mother to 3 teenagers and a Frenchie named Nova. I am passionate about my field and our community and love what I do. I am a License Mental Health Counselor and currently obtaining my PhD in Clinical Psychology at Northcentral University. I received my Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Capella University in 2015 and Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the Florida Institute of Technology in 2011. I have a private practice called Bella Mental Health Services in Melbourne, Florida. We currently have 10 clinicians and 1 APRN for medication management with plans for expansion by the end of 2023. On my free time I am very busy with my youngest daughter’s competitive cheer and dance team. She travels all over Florida so we frequently are away on weekends during comp season. I also enjoy boat days with my family, husband and friends and simple dates nights out with my husband. My husband and I love to travel so we make sure to have adult time and travel several times per year as a couple.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I am married with 3 teenagers at home. My husband is a 21-year retired AF veteran and currently a realtor with Next Move Military and Keller Williams. My oldest daughter is 18 and in the Keiser nursing program. My 17 year-old son is 17 and a Junior at Viera High School while also dual-enrolled at EFSC. My youngest is 15, a sophomore at Viera High School and an Extreme Allstars competitive cheerleader.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I have been in the mental health field since I graduate from Florida Tech in 2011. I have worked in child welfare, inpatient and outpatient facilities for those suffering with mental illness. I currently own a private practice called Bella Mental Health Services that opened in April of 2020, at the peak of the pandemic. I absolutely love helping children and families with life struggles and mental health issues. I am also passionate about forensic mental health which is a very specialized field involving mental illness and the legal system.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
My favorite restaurants are Bonefish Grill and Hemmingway’s.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community? And what brought you here?
I was born in San Pedro, CA and moved to FL with my parents when I was 5 years old. I was primarily raised in Melbourne and graduated from Palm Bay High School. I went back to CA for a few years after graduating, but decided Florida was truly “home” for me.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community? Why?
Dr. Costopoulos from Florida Tech. She has always been my mentor and inspiration when I began Florida Tech in 2009. She is a forensic psychologist and professor at Florida Tech and to this day I still keep in contact with her. She is a very strong, intelligent woman and mother who I have always admired. She helped push me to my limits during my years at Florida Tech.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I love so many movies, but my favorite are comedies. For TV shows, I am a reality show junkie such as 90 day Fiancé or Married at First Sight. I also love suspenseful series such as Handmaid’s Tale, Ozark, and Stranger Things.
Q: What advice would you give to your younger self?
Listen to your mother! She is right! If you do, I promise it will save you so many headaches.
Q: What is something on your bucket list? Why?
Live in other countries for a few months at a time while working in the mental health field. I want to experience other cultures while also being able to help others while visiting those countries. I think it would be amazing to bring my passion and skills to other countries that need mental health professionals.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to? Why?
I love new country music such as Morgan Wallen, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Bailey Zimmerman and many others! I began my love for country music in my early thirties actually. I refused to listen to it until I decided to go to a country concert with some friends. I have been hooked ever since.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community? Why?
I would say any waterfront restaurants that you can drive your boat up to. It is what I believe people in the Space Coast should appreciate the most… all the wonderful ways to enjoy the water nearly year round!
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you meet for this lunch?
Grant Cardone. Ironically, he actually bashes a lot of psychologists and mental health therapists in his books. However, he had a very rough childhood and early adulthood and rose up from substance abuse issues, being incarcerated, and nearly dying. He is now a multi-billionaire with a family and continues to try and help others through his books and seminars. I would love to meet him or attend one of his seminars one day as he is very inspirational and love his bold truth. I appreciate people with “tough love” approaches. I would probably have him take me on a yacht and ride up to a riverfront restaurant!
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love the rivers and beaches that surround Brevard County. It is something I took for granted as a child, but as an adult I absolutely love the small town feel while being less than an hour drive to a big city like Orlando.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I see myself opening up another Bella Mental Health in TN. Another great state my husband and I love so much. We plan to buy a property up there and hope to open up a second location. I would also like to have started my travels to other countries by that point. I will be an empty nester so will have more time!
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Tough one. My family knows pretty much everything about me. I guess something people don’t know is that although I am passionate about learning and mental health, I still crave the creative side of me at times. I am pretty artsy and used to be in makeup and fashion design. I love all types of art from fashion, makeup, building structures, and art history.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10? Why?
Anyone who gives 100% at what they do. I don’t care who you are- a physician, janitor, fast-food worker….. if you give 100% of your effort in whatever job you do and do it with passion, ethics, and good intention you are a 10/10 in my eyes.
Q: Who inspires you to be better? How?
My youngest daughter. She is the sweetest person I know. She has the biggest heart, works hard at everything she does, cares about everyone and does not have a mean bone in her body. She is such a wonderful human and I admire what an amazing young lady she is becoming. I can’t wait to see all the good she does in this world.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Safe, warm, family.
