MEET THE
TEAM
Good Beginnings That Last A Lifetime
Meet The Child + Family Therapy Team
Erika Kohne, LMHC/S
Clinical Director
As the Clinical Director of the Child & Family Therapy services at Forty Carrots, Erika Kohne, is overseeing a group of therapists and supporting the expansion of mental health services throughout the community.
Erika has Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of South Florida and a Master’s of Sciences in Applied Clinical Psychology from the University of South Carolina. Erika has worked in the counseling field since 2011, primarily working with children, adolescents, and families. She is licensed in Florida as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and as a Qualified Supervisor. She is also a registered Circle of Security® Parenting provider and has earned her Graduate Certificate in Infant-Family Mental Health from the University of South Florida.
After receiving her Master’s degree, Erika remained in the state of South Carolina and accepted a job with the Department of Mental Health working in a community mental health center primarily with children, adolescents, and families with a broad range of emotional and behavioral concerns. She also gained experience working as an adjunct professor, teaching college courses at the undergraduate level.
Erika relocated to Sarasota with her husband in 2017, where she accepted a position as both Parenting Educator and Mental Health Therapist at Forty Carrots Family Center. During her time working for Forty Carrots, she has gained experience co-facilitating Partners In Play® groups at various library locations in Manatee and Sarasota, parenting groups at the CYESIS Teen Parent Program at North Port and Riverview High Schools and at the Teenage Parenting Program (TAPP) in Manatee County, and Circle of Security® groups at First Step Mothers & Infants and Selah Freedom. She also served as a Child & Family Therapist for the agency’s Therapy Department, before transitioning into the role of Therapy Director.
Bonnie, MA, Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Bonnie is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. She earned her Master of Arts degree in Community Mental Health from Webster University, and her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a Counseling Emphasis from Lander University. She has over 10 years of experience in the field of mental health counseling including individual, group and couples counseling. She has gained diverse career experiences while providing counseling within schools systems, therapeutic foster homes, as well as office settings. She has worked with children and families offering counseling, behavior management, and crisis intervention. In addition to counseling she has provided psychoeducational programs that have included: mindfulness, parenting, life skills, and brain health.
Courtney, BS, Graduate Student Intern
Courtney joins the Therapy team with a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Central Florida (UCF) and is currently pursuing her MSW at UCF. She joins our team as a graduate student intern in the Parenting Education and Child and Family Therapy programs. Passionate about working with diverse family systems, Courtney is dedicated to enhancing her expertise in parenting education and mental health. She co-facilitates Partners In Play® parenting education groups at library locations across Manatee and Sarasota counties, as well as mental health groups in Title I Elementary Schools.
Diana, MSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker & Certified Case Manager
Diana is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Case Manager. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Bucknell University and Master of Arts degree in Clinical Social Work from New York University. Diana has worked with children, teens, young adults, as well as adults in a variety of settings. She earned her Infant Family Mental Health Graduate Certificate from USF, has a certification in Maternal Mental Health from Postpartum Support International and is an EMDR trained therapist. Aside from her work as a Therapist, Diana also serves as the Intake Coordinator for the Child & Family Therapy.
Elena, MSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Elena joined our team with a BA in Human Development and a Masters in Social Work. She has a diverse background working with the Safe Children Coalition and various Early Childhood Centers. Most recently, Elena completed an internship at the University of South Florida in the Infant-Family Mental Health Center. Since having joined the Forty Carrots team, Elena has become A Window Between Worlds facilitator and has earned her Circle of Security® certification. Aside from offering individual and family therapy at Forty Carrots, Elena also provides school-based services in several schools, including teen parenting locations in the community.
Heather, MA, Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Heather is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. She earned her Master of Arts degree in Community Counseling and her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in Family Studies from Campbell University in North Carolina. She has over ten years of experience in private practice providing individual and family therapy to all ages, focused on children and adolescents with various emotional and behavioral issues. While living in North Carolina, she worked in a private practice and provided individual and family therapy to all ages. In November, 2010, she began working as a Parenting Educator and in 2014 as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor at Forty Carrots Family Center.
Kelly, BS, Graduate Student Intern
Kelly joins therapy team as a Graduate Student Intern at the University of South Florida. Kelly obtained her bachelor’s in science at the University of Tampa in Applied Sociology with a minor in Criminology. Kelly is passionate about youth and adolescent mental health and plans on becoming a certified Social Worker after graduating with her Master’s. She is eager to learn and help enhance the well-being of those who she encounters. Kelly has over two years of experience as a Certified Peer Specialist for youth and adults, as well as some experience working in a juvenile assessment center. As a student intern at Forty Carrots, Kelly co-facilitates Partners In Play® parenting education groups at library locations across Manatee and Sarasota counties, as well as mental health groups in Title I schools.
Lauren, MSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Lauren earned both her Master’s degree in Social Work and Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of South Florida (USF), where she also completed a Graduate Certificate in Infant-Family Mental Health. She is a registered Circle of Security® Parenting provider and has received specialized training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).
Over the years, Lauren has worked in a variety of settings, including as a school social worker, leading counseling programs for at-risk youth in middle school settings, and providing therapy in non-profit organizations and private practice. Her diverse experiences have given her a deep understanding of the many ways trauma, attachment, and life transitions impact individuals and families. Lauren brings warmth, creativity, and authenticity to her practice, creating a safe and supportive environment where clients can explore their stories, build resilience, and find hope for the future. In her most recent work at Forty Carrots, Lauren has facilitated a weekly postpartum support group, provided art-based trauma interventions for survivors of human trafficking, and supported adults navigating complex trauma and parenting challenges.
Maria, MSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Maria earned her Bachelors degree from Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY and her Masters degree in Social Work from SUNY Albany in Albany, NY in 2015. She has worked in a variety of settings providing services to children and families over the years including in mobile crisis, pediatric skilled nursing, private and public education, and child advocacy. Maria is trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). She provides individual and family therapy services to children, adolescents, and families at Forty Carrots and in elementary schools in Sarasota County. Maria also helps facilitate mental health groups in school and community-based settings in partner locations.
Nicole, MSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker & Qualified Supervisor
Nicole is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Qualified Supervisor for Registered Clinical Social Work Interns and Graduate-Level Student Interns. She earned her Master of Social Work from The University of South Florida. Nicole is a Nationally Certified Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (TF-CBT) who specializes in working with children and adolescents who have experienced trauma. She is also a registered Circle of Security® Parenting provider.
Nicole earned her certification in Perinatal Mental Health through Postpartum Support International and has a special interest in supporting parents through the pregnancy and postpartum period who may be experiencing a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder. She has worked with children and families for over 15 years across multiple non-profit agencies in Sarasota County and is well-versed in working with children, adolescents, and families presenting with a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues and exposure to trauma.
Aside from her work as a Therapist, Nicole also serves as the Intern Supervisor for the Child & Family Therapy Department, overseeing both Graduate Student Interns and Registered Interns in the Internship Training Program. As both a clinician and a supervisor, Nicole is passionate about mentoring clinicians-in-training and fostering growth within the field. As an A Window Between Worlds facilitator and trainer, she enjoys incorporating art expression and other creative interventions into treatment.
Paola, MSW, Registered Clinical Social Work Intern
Paola earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Education and a Master of Science in Health education and Health Behavior from the University of Florida before earning her Masters degree in Social Work from the University of South Florida. Paola is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and has been working in the non-profit sector with diverse populations in Sarasota for over 10 years. Prior to joining Forty Carrots, Paola provided advocacy and support to survivors of domestic violence and taught trauma-informed and age-appropriate sexual and reproductive health information in schools, jails, juvenile detention centers, and substance use & mental health treatment centers. Paola has experience and enjoys working with children, teens, adults, caregivers, and LGBTQ+ youth and is committed to creating an inclusive and judgment-free space for all clients to feel seen and supported. Since joining the Forty Carrots team, Paola has become trained in both A Window Between Worlds and the Circle of Security® Parenting Program. She provides individual and family therapy services to children, adolescents and families at Forty Carrots and also helps facilitate mental health groups in community-based settings in partner locations.
Quincy, MSW Student Intern
Quincy is a graduate student intern at Forty Carrots Family Center, currently pursuing her Master’s in Clinical Social Work at the University of South Florida. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and brings some experience working with children and adolescents from her previous field placement going to Sarasota County schools as a counselor. Quincy is passionate about supporting children, adolescents, and families as they navigate the complexities of their relationships and family systems. At Forty Carrots, she co-facilitates Partners In Play® parenting education groups at public libraries throughout Manatee and Sarasota counties and provides support in mental health groups in Title I schools. Quincy is completing her internship with both the Parenting Education and Child & Family Therapy programs. Following graduation, she plans to pursue her Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential to continue her work in child and family mental health.
Tesha, MSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Tesha earned her Bachelor’s in Social Sciences/Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University and her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of South Florida. She is a registered Circle of Security® Parenting provider and has received specialized training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).
As a Parenting Educator, Tesha co-facilitates weekly Circle of Security® Parenting groups at Lightshare Restore. As a Therapist, Tesha works with teen parents enrolled in Riverview High Schools’s CYESIS program in addition to working individually with children, adolescents, and families who enroll in therapy services at Forty Carrots. Tesha brings a mix of evidenced-based approaches, humor, and genuine conversation to help her clients feel safe enough to be vulnerable and challenged enough to grow.
Veronica, MSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Veronica joined our team with a Bachelors in Psychology from Saint Peter’s University and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Central Florida. Prior to Forty Carrots, Veronica worked with LGBTQ+ youth and seniors in multiple non-profit settings and has a background in performing arts. Since having joined the Forty Carrots team, she has become A Window Between Worlds facilitator and has earned her Circle of Security® certification. Veronica provides school-based and agency-based counseling services to children, adolescents, and families. She also helps facilitate mental health support groups in several community-based partner locations.