Welcome to Haven Counseling and Wellness!
Hi! My name is Nicolette Immediato and my partner in therapy is named Janelle. I was born in Long Island, New York and moved to Marion County as a toddler. Growing up I always knew I wanted to be a psychotherapist. I received my Associates of Arts in Psychology from Central Florida College in 2009, then known as Central Florida Community College. Subsequently, I then moved on to complete my Bachelors of Science and certificate in Behavioral Forensics from the University of Central Florida’s regional campus here in Ocala in 2011. While in my bachelors program I was a research assistant for a colleague studying differential gene expression after utilizing “Emotional Freedom Technique as an Intervention”. This article can be read under the resources tab on this website.
After a year and a half of searching for a graduate program, I subsequently moved on to earn my Masters of Arts at Webster University in Clinical Mental Health counseling in 2015. In my master’s program I have been trained at every level of care including; outpatient, intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, and residential with substance abuse and trauma populations. After graduation, I moved on to an acute care hospital where I conducted work in Intake and Utilization Review as I earned my license in 2017. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, I have been studying a specialty modality called EMDR, which stands for Eye Movement and Desensitization. As well as Animal Assisted Psychotherapy. There is more explanation on this under the modalities section.
After graduate school Janelle, My Labrador mix, was adopted by my husband for me as a gift to utilize in my practice that I would soon open. Janelle was adopted from two great foster parents in Brooksville, FL. They had rescued her when they found her on the roadside of the highway. But like many other dogs whom have been abandoned and thrown away, she is loving and trusting of everyone she meets. She is truly a being of unconditional love and forgiveness. Which many clients can identify with her recovery story of rejection and her original parent’s abandonment. Janelle and I have worked very hard for her to receive her Canine Good Citizen award prior to her starting in the practice. Janelle loves spending time with her clients and always greets them at the door and walks them out when they leave. Despite her experience’s she is loving and accepting of everyone.
Janelle and I feel blessed beyond words that so many trust me with their emotions, minds, and families. I have spent my life studying mental health with hope to help as many as I can and for others to receive the ripple effect.