Meet our Staff
Cherie Burgess, Owner of Healing Wounds Healthcare
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
LMHC Qualified Supervisor
AFAA Certified Personal Trainer & Fitness Instructor
Interview on Mental Health with Cherie Burgess at Story Church, Clermont, FL
Lorelei (Lori) Henderson | HWHC Virtual Administrator 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.
Joy Henderson, Master’s Level Counselor & Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
Joy is a compassionate and empathetic therapist who helps clients feel accepted, respected and safe. Her expertise includes helping clients process trauma, depression, anxiety, grief, relationship difficulties, addiction, phobias, major life transitions and family of origin issues. Joy works from a whole-person, holistic perspective to assist clients with learning how to regulate difficult emotions and reduce stress and anxiety symptoms through somatic, psychological and spiritual healing techniques. Joy has over 20 years of experience working in the fitness field. She is a national certified sports medicine trainer and fitness instructor, and currently works with aging persons and those living with chronic disease.
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.
Destiny Clarke, Master’s Level Counselor & Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
Destiny Clarke is a compassionate and understanding counselor who helps clients explore life’s challenges, build resilience, and discover new paths to healing and growth.
With a wealth of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults across diverse settings, she is deeply committed to helping individuals and families create meaningful change in their lives. Destiny’s background includes working with incarcerated males and females aged 13 and up, providing support in educational settings, and offering suicide crisis intervention. Destiny tailors each session to client’s unique strengths, needs, and goals while working together to create a safe, supportive, and empowering space where transformation is possible.
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.
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.