I am continually astounded seeing God’s hand upon my life and the ministry He entrusted to me, Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries. Impressive isn’t an adequate word to describe the clinical interns God brought to us for this semester and next semester from my alma mater, Florida Gulf Coast University. They are a remarkable, powerhouse team that we feel absolutely honored to have as part of our FREEdom™ Team for such a time as this!
They have been approved to provide phone and online video counseling (within the state of Florida). It’s been a vision of mine to be able to provide support to not only “Survivors” and “Survivor Leaders”, but also their teams, because with over 15 years experience in this mission field, I know how challenging this type of ministry and social services can be!
We now can provide that support! If you are an overcomer, survivor, or part of a team that ministers to the sexually abused, exploited and trafficked, and you need an additional support, please don’t hesitate to contact us! Services are FREE and CONFIDENTIAL. Call (239) 939-9218 to set up a session.
P.S. These interns were placed by my long time (over a decade), co-laborer in the anti-trafficking movement, an amazing woman who has received countless local and national awards for her passion and advocacy for survivors, Yaro Garcia, Phd, LMHC, Chair of the Southwest Regional Human Trafficking Coalition.
Meet our Clinical Interns:
Kevin M. Thallemer joins Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries as a third-year student counselor and graduate intern. He is a candidate for a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Florida Gulf Coast University, a CACREP accredited program. Kevin’s counseling experience includes working with adolescent and adult males and females in group and individual settings supporting clients with a vast range of mental health concerns at Lighthouse Addiction Services in Port Charlotte, Florida and St. Matthew’s House in Naples, Florida.
In addition to his experience and education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Kevin has managed his own business for more than 15 years, where he provides career coaching, career advisory, outplacement and professional branding/communication services working with individuals and small businesses. He has provided long-term coaching and support to clients of various professional backgrounds from high school and college students through senior executives globally.
Raised in the Chicago suburbs, he completed his undergraduate degree at Illinois State University in English and additional graduate coursework at Northern Illinois University in rhetoric and communications. He is a veteran of the United States Army and Army National Guard, and he is a Student Member of the American Counseling Association. He currently lives in Northeast Florida with his wife, Melissa, and their three boys, ages 13, 11 and 9.
Melissa Hevia Thallemer joins us as a third-year student counselor and graduate intern. She is a candidate for a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Florida Gulf Coast University, a CACREP accredited program. Melissa’s counseling experience includes working with adolescent, adult and elderly males and females in group and individual settings in inpatient and outpatient environments. She has worked with clients supporting their growth with a vast range of mental health concerns at The Willoughs and Brookdale in Naples, Florida.
In addition to her counseling experience and education, Melissa has more than 15 years of experience in human resources leadership working with Target Corporation, Chico’s FAS and her current company, Venus Fashion as a Vice President of Human Resources. Throughout her career in human resources, Melissa has extensive experience in coaching team members, leaders and executives in various personal and leadership development disciplines.
In addition to her candidacy for a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Melissa also completed a Master of Business Administration from Benedictine University and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology at Illinois State University.
As hobbies, she enjoys art and music and is an experienced concert harpist, including experience playing with the Peoria, Illinois Symphony Orchestra. Melissa is a Student Member of the American Counseling Association, as well as a Member of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM), The Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (HACE) and the National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA).
She also has experience as a volunteer mentor for InRoads, Inc., a non-profit organization providing ethnically diverse high school and college students counseling, support and mentorship for placement in internships. Melissa currently lives in Northeast Florida with her husband, Kevin, and their three boys, ages 13, 11 and 9.
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