Meet Our Team
Hi. I’m Cherie Burgess, the Owner of Healing Wounds Healthcare.
I am a passionate Licensed Mental Health Counselor who values supporting the growth and development of Registered Mental Health Counselor Interns through my role as a Qualified Supervisor.
Thank you for visiting our website.
WE ARE DEDICATED
Our team is dedicated to providing hope and healing to struggling individuals through holistic, evidence-based, mental health care. We are also dedicated to breaking the stigma of mental health in the church.
WE BELIEVE
We believe it is important for people to understand that seeking support is not a lack of faith, but a wise and God-honoring step towards healing.
Mental health struggles are not spiritual failures, rather they are human experiences in a broken world. Seeking help reflects humility, not weakness.
WHERE WE WORK
We currently rent office space at Gateway Church in Clermont, and we offer mental health services to students in Lake County schools. We also provide telehealth in all counties across the State of Florida.
PROFESSIONAL CARE
Please scroll down to learn more about the professional therapists at Healing Wounds Healthcare.
Together, we are committed to creating a safe, faith-honoring space where mental health struggles are met with grace, understanding, and professional care.
Again, we are glad you are here.
Natalie Smith
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Natalie is a graduate from Rollins College and has been working as a licensed mental health counselor since 2014. Natalie spent seven years counseling at-risk teens and their families. Natalie’s scope of practice includes working with people who struggle with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, negative self-image, emotional dysregulation and relationship issues. Natalie also enjoys Christian-based counseling and believes God created each person as an irreplaceable individual with their own unique gifts and challenges. Natalie loves to learn about others and see them grow through the counseling process.
Donna Shryock
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Donna is a compassionate, fun, results-driven Licensed Mental Health Counselor with over 20 years experience. Over the years she's worked with individuals, families, church groups, and educational institutions.
Donna helps clients navigate life transitions, personal growth, and emotional challenges. Her approach is nonjudgemental, compassionate, thoughtful and grounded in practical, solution-focused outcomes.
Some of the areas Donna specializes in:
Anxiety / Stress
First responders and their families
Supporting victims of romance scams
Premarital / Marital counseling
Parenting ADHD children
Self-awareness/Personal development
Chronic illness / Compassion fatigue
Life changes (divorce, loss & empty nest)
Retired & wonderful seniors!
John Cothron
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
John works with individuals, couples, and families facing a wide range of concerns including PTSD, anxiety, trauma, infidelity, family conflict, anger, depression, and addiction. As a United States veteran, John understands the unique pressures and challenges that military families face. Between his firsthand, personal experience, and his in-depth training and heart for service, John is able to walk alongside clients with empathy, compassion and purpose.
John holds a Bachelor’s degree in Ministerial Sciences from Hobe Sound Bible College and a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Palm Beach Atlantic University. In addition, John is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology at Liberty University. John has a wealth of experience and knowledge and is able to offer a variety of evidence-based therapeutic approaches to meet each client’s unique needs. Two of John’s favorite therapeutic interventions include Accelerated Resolution Therapy (A.R.T.) and Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories (RTM).
Myla Cavanuagh
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Myla is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and Certified School Counselor with over 20 years of experience in education and counseling. As a licensed and ordained minister, she blends clinical expertise with spiritual insight to support individuals and families on their journeys toward healing and growth.
With an understanding of the unique challenges faced in ministry, Myla offers dedicated care and guidance to pastors and their families navigating the demands of their calling. As an adoptive mother with neurodivergent children, she brings personal experience and heartfelt compassion to help families address the complexities of parenting with grace and resilience. Grounded in a person-centered approach, her work emphasizes inner healing and encourages clients to live authentically from the heart. By creating a safe space, Myla helps individuals feel seen, heard, and empowered to transform.
Sherry Cox
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Sherry is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker providing therapy to adolescents, adults, and geriatric clients. Sherry is passionate about supporting individuals and couples who are navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, childhood emotional neglect, and betrayal trauma. Her approach is compassionate, collaborative, and tailored to each client’s unique experiences and goals. She strives to create a space where you can move at your own pace, explore difficult experiences without judgment, and reconnect with parts of yourself that may have been overlooked or wounded.
Evelisse Bookhout
Master’s Level Counselor
Registered Clinical Social Work Intern
Evelisse is a veteran, leader, ordained minister, and advocate with a bachelor’s degree in social work, a child welfare certification and a master’s degree in clinical social work. Evelisse began her career as a residential counselor for developmentally disabled individuals at Springbrook in Oneonta, NY, and later served as a nursing assistant for disabled veterans and the elderly. Since moving to Florida in 2012, Evelisse has mentored at-risk youth through her community and church. She is the founder and Executive Director of Hands of Hope America, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping families, empowering youth, and advocating for underserved communities. Evelisse also serves on the Lake County Children’s Services Council. Through her dedication and leadership, Evelisse continues to inspire, uplift, and drive lasting change within individuals, families, groups and the community at large.
Hannah Lichtman
Master’s Level Counselor
Registered Clinical Social Work Intern
Hannah is a graduate-level clinical social worker with a master's degree from the University of Central Florida and a bachelor's degree in social work from Liberty University. She is deeply committed to helping individuals discover the tools and strategies to enhance their well-being and overall quality of life through supportive, client-centered care.
With a broad experience in hospital social work case management, school district social work, and inpatient substance abuse treatment for adolescents with co-occurring mental health diagnoses, Hannah has worked with diverse populations across various settings. In her role as a hospital social worker, she assists patients and families in navigating life-altering health conditions, grief, anxiety, depression, and stress, providing essential support and resources during challenging times.
Beyond clinical settings, Hannah has dedicated over 7 years to mentoring middle and high school youth and their families, focusing on behavioral and mental health concerns such as self-esteem, substance abuse, adjustment disorders, ADHD, and defiance. Her compassionate and holistic approach helps empower individuals to overcome obstacles and achieve personal growth.
Lauren Pintar
Master’s Level Counselor
Registered Mental Health Counselor
Lauren is a compassionate and skilled therapist who specializes in mood disorders, creating a safe and supportive space for clients to explore their emotions. With evidence-based approaches like EMDR, cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness and expressive arts, Lauren helps individuals manage depression, anxiety and emotional dysregulation more effectively.
Lauren obtained her Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Palm Beach Atlantic University and works in the State of Florida as a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern.
Lorelei (Lori) Henderson | Virtual Administrative Assistant and Emotional Support Coach
Lori is a natural encourager with a passion to help others believe in themselves. After retiring from a managerial position with the federal government Lori volunteered as a Court Advocate for a Domestic Abuse Shelter which led to her being hired as a Victim Advocate for the local police department. Six years later, Lori was promoted to the position of Victim Advocate Coordinator. During this time, Lori responded to numerous crises which included domestic violence, death/suicide, rape, neglect and abuse of children and vulnerable adults and more. Lori helped survivors write Injunctions for Protection against Violence, arranged for legal representation and assisted individuals with their emergency needs.
Lori also volunteered as a Pregnancy Crisis Counselor for Resources for Women in Daytona Beach, Florida. In this position, Lori provided individual counseling to pregnant women and taught a parenting skills curriculum.
As a Professional Life Coach who focuses on grief, loss and trauma recovery, Lori is eager to help people see beyond their circumstances and self-doubts. Her desire is to help others discover their purpose and recognize their strengths in the face of life’s trials.
Jean Marie Rolon, Medical Billing Specialist
Jean Marie Rolon is our dedicated medical billing specialist. Jean has a strong background in both coding and claims management and specializes in mental health and surgery billing, handling both professional and facility claims.
Outside of work, Jean Marie enjoys running, weight training, and spending time with her pets. We are honored to have Jean on our team.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR CLIENTS
Confidentiality & Privileged Communication
ETHICAL CODE
WE ADHERE TO THE ETHICAL GUIDELINES SET FORTH BY THE AMERICAN COUNSELING ASSOCIATION. OUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY IS TO DO NO HARM AND RESPECT THE DIGNITY OF MY CLIENTS.
Communications with the therapists become part of a clinical record of treatment which is called Protected Health Information (PHI). Your PHI is maintained in the TherapyNotes electronic health record system.
Additionally, we will keep everything you say completely confidential, with the following exceptions:
you direct us to tell someone else and sign a “Release of Information” form;
we determine that you are a danger to yourself or to others;
you report information about the abuse of a child, an elderly person, or a disabled individual who may require protection; or
we are ordered by a judge to disclose information. In this case, our mental health counseling license does provide us with the ability to uphold what is legally termed “privileged communication.”
Privileged communication is your right as a client to have a confidential relationship with a therapist. If for some unusual reason a judge were to order the disclosure of your private information, this order can be appealed. We cannot guarantee that the appeal will be sustained, but we will do everything in our power to keep what you say confidential.