Heidi M. Jackson, Ph.D., LMHC-S, RPT-S, ABS

I am the Owner and Clinical Director of Counseling Specialists of Central Florida. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Qualified Supervisor MHC with the State of Florida.

Educationally, I graduated Summa Cum Laude with my PhD in Clinical Sexology through the American Academy of Clinical Sexologists, graduated Summa Cum Laude with my Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Webster University, and hold a Bachelor’s degree in Interpersonal Communications from the University of Central Florida.

I am a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (RPT-S) through the National Association for Play Therapy and have completed a post-graduate certification in Play Therapy from the University of Central Florida. As a Sandtray Therapist, I have completed extensive post-graduate trainings from numerous organizations throughout the US and have three dedicated playrooms in my office that is utilized to help children and adults work through various traumas and situations.

I work extensively as a Sex Therapist helping couples obtain greater levels of intimacy within their relationships, helping those struggling with various sexual disorders or injuries in either overcoming those challenges or finding ways to obtain deeper levels of intimacy within those disorders. I am a Prepare/Enrich facilitator utilizing that program to help new and established couples create and maintain healthy relationships.

I specialize in working with those dealing with severe trauma (including grief/loss, abuse, rape, and PTSD), anxiety (including phobias and OCD), depression, mood disorders, and neurodevelopment disorders (including ADD/ADHD and autism). To best aid these clients, I am an EMDR trained therapist and hold certifications in Complex Trauma as well as Anxiety.

I regularly work with the courts as a reunification counselor and also help families navigate various legal and mediation stressors they encounter. To best help my clients in these areas, I am an Adult and Juvenile Forensic Evaluator, a Qualified Parent Coordinator, and a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family, County Court, and Appellate Mediator.

I have worked extensively in both non-profit and for-profit environments with special populations including trauma, self-harm, neurodevelopmental disorders including schizophrenia, domestic violence, and with government affiliates including active and inactive military, law enforcement, and first responders. Additionally, I have worked for residential treatment centers for children, adolescents, and adults suffering from severe cases of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).