Our Staff
Jamie Salsberg, LCSW, CAP, MPH
Clinical Director and Practice Owner
Jamie has run and managed multiple substance abuse and mental health treatment centers, designed and developed family programs, and worked in the field of behavioral health for the past 10 years. After recognizing the gap where many treatment centers did not have resources to dedicate toward long-term outcomes or outpatient care, Jamie created Onward Counseling Group.
Jamie’s clinical counseling experience includes cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, Logo therapy, couples and family therapy, as well as significant experience in all aspects of substance abuse and mental health. Jamie is also trained in EMDR.
Jamie holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from FAU, a Masters in Public Health from Columbia University, and Bachelor’s in Psychology from Duke University. She has worked with specialized populations such as first responders, Veterans, Native Americans, and professional athletes. Jamie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the states of Florida, Massachusetts, Illinois, and Alabama and a Certified Addiction Professional in Florida.
Helena Kappelmann, LCSW
Director of Clinical Development, Therapist
Helena creates a strong therapeutic bond through an authentic and empathetic approach when connecting with her clients. She specializes in working with men’s issues, first responders, and eating disorders. Helena has practiced at a leading residential eating disorder facility, where she developed a deep understanding of the emotional and behavioral complexities that accompany recovery. Her work emphasizes building cognitive flexibility, emotional awareness, and resilience to support clients in navigating life’s challenges and improving overall well-being.
She integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Crisis Intervention in her practice. Helena is also a certified Youth Mental Health First Aider and a PK–12 school guidance counselor, bringing a broad understanding of how stress, trauma, and performance demands impact mental health in both personal and professional settings.
Casey O’Brien, LCSW
Therapist
Casey provides individual therapy for people looking to bring balance and stability into their lives. She is a spiritually-oriented therapist who is passionate about helping people become more comfortable in both mind and body. Casey has experience working in the mental health and substance use field with a focus in trauma, anxiety, depression, and a wide array of mental health issues.
Casey utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused, and Mindfulness Integration modalities to help clients heal and reconnect to their true selves. Outside of being a therapist, Casey is a certified in Reiki practitioner with a passion for spiritual healing. Casey received her Masters Degree in Social Work from Florida Atlantic University.
Danile Jerome, RCSWI
Therapist
Danile has a passion for supporting individuals through life transitions, emotional challenges, and personal growth. She brings a thoughtful and grounded presence to the therapy space, drawing from her background in both clinical work and leadership roles within the nonprofit and higher education sectors. Her clinical experience includes working with children and teens facing depression, anxiety, and the cultural and societal pressures in building emotional awareness, healthy coping strategies, and essential life skills as well crisis intervention. Recently, she has expanded her clinical focus to work with adolescents and adults. Her therapeutic approach includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Motivational Interviewing, and a strengths-based, culturally responsive framework. Danile also incorporates mindfulness-based strategies to help clients develop emotional regulation and reconnect with the present moment. Her goal is to create a safe, affirming space where clients feel seen, heard, and empowered to move forward with clarity and purpose. Danile is also trained in EMDR therapy for trauma.
Outside of the therapy room, Danile is a foodie who loves to explore new cuisines, unwind at the beach, lift weights, and belt out her favorite songs at karaoke. She believes joy, movement, and meaningful connection are essential parts of a balanced life, and she encourages her clients to find what lights them up too. Danile earned her Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Central Florida and her Master of Social Work from Florida State University.
Gitged “Gigi” Mendez, LMHC
Therapist
Gitged “Gigi” Mendez, has more than 12 years of experience working in the state of Florida in the Mental Health field, and is bilingual (English and Spanish). Her growth and development in the field include working with behavioral health clients in multiple levels of care with various issues including co-occurring disorders, anxiety, depression, trauma, and others, starting in the field as a therapist and being promoted to the position of Clinical Director of a prestigious Residential Treatment Facility for clients with behavioral health disorders. Her professionalism and dedication are among the intangible skills that Gigi puts into work at her clients’ disposal in order to impact their lives in a positive way, every day.
Passionate for what she does as much as for her clients’ well-being, Gigi is well-versed with up to date and evidenced based techniques and certifications in the mental heath field, and is able to implement them in both English and Spanish, broadening her clinical spectrum. Gigi received her Masters in Counseling and Mental Health from CAU Miami, FL in 2012
Kaitlyn Rocca, RMHCI
Therapist
mental health treatment centers providing individual, group, and family therapy to clients
struggling with a wide variety of mental health issues. This experience allows her to be there for
her clients on their journey, recognizing them as the expert in their own experience and
empowering them to discover their inner resiliencies while developing new skills. Kaitlyn
believes in working with each client individually and tailors her approach utilizing Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Rogerian Therapy, Solution Focused
Therapy, Art Therapy, Play Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness Therapy to best
fit their needs. She prefers to take a humanistic-trauma informed approach and strives to
create a calm and nonjudgemental space for her clients to begin their healing journey.
depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, autism, PTSD, CPTSD, grief and loss, OCD, substance
abuse, anger and stress management, abuse, family and relationship issues, boundaries, and
self-harming behaviors- among others. Together with her client’s, Kaitlyn works to build a
trusting collaborative environment where she can work together with her client towards their
goals. She recognizes that often the hardest part of therapy is taking that first step and she
welcomes you to take that first step together with her.
Kaitlyn holds a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Ferkauf Graduate School of
Psychology and Bachelor’s in Psychology and Italian from Stony Brook University. She has
worked with specialized populations such as teen mothers and youth with trauma backgrounds
and has received training in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, Abuse Identification, Reporting,
and Prevention, and Clinical Services and Trauma.
Alexzandria May, LMHC
Therapist
Alexzandria has had a passion for counseling since a young age, always knowing this was the field and profession for her. She has been honored to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds in various settings, including college and university counseling, a leading residential eating disorder treatment facility, and has been in the non-profit sector for over 10 years. Her clinical experience includes working with adolescents, young adults, adults, and couples experiencing life transitions, stress, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, perfectionism, and grief. She also has vast experience in Autism and neurodivergence. Her therapeutic approach is eclectic, comprising Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Relational-Cultural Therapy, attachment-based therapy, and Motivational Interviewing (MI). She is trained in Level 1 and II Gottman Method Couples Therapy and has vast group experience with Mindfulness, Gratitude, DBT skills, and eating disorders. She also believes in the power of artistic expression. Alexzandria’s goal is to cultivate an individualized, safe, non-judgmental environment in which clients can build upon their strengths. She establishes a strong therapeutic rapport through genuine care, compassion, authenticity, and collaboration. She values the trust her clients place in her and is grateful to be a part of their journey to move onward.
Alexzandria earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with minors in Education and Communication Studies from the University of Florida and her Master’s degrees in both Experimental Psychology and Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Florida Atlantic University. She also completed her Education Specialist from Florida Atlantic University. Outside of her therapeutic work, she enjoys spending time with her dog, family, and friends, drinking Boba Teas, being in nature, traveling, cooking/eating, watching sports, and occasionally watching reality TV shows.
Ronald W Williams, RCSWI
Therapist
Ronald W. Williams is a native of North Florida. He has been married for over 33 years with three children and two grandchildren. Gunnery Sergeant Williams is retired from United States Marine Corps after serving over 22 years in the military. In addition to counseling, Ronald is employed as a Social Worker with DaVita Kidney Care. His previous experience includes work in the juvenile justice system, employment as a drug counselor, court Services, and a crisis management hospital.
Additionally, Ronald is developing two non-profit organizations. He is also the founder of W2 Ministries and oversees ministries through North America as well as being on the board of Bishops for New Beginnings International Ministries. Ronald holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work.
Liz Wasserman, RMHCI
Therapist
Liz believes therapy should feel like a safe, judgment-free space where you can show up exactly as you are. Her goal is to be both an ally and a steady, safe person to turn to as you work through life’s challenges. Liz work with adults, teens, and young adults navigating stress, family dynamics, trauma, women’s issues, self-esteem struggles, relationship patterns, depression, and attachment-related concerns.
Her approach is person-centered and grounded in validation, compassion, and genuine connection. Liz meets clients where they are and supports them in exploring the patterns and beliefs that shape how they see themselves and others. She believes that together, a client and therapist can look at the evidence behind thoughts that feel irrational or self-critical and find ways to respond with more understanding and self-trust.
Therapy with Liz is collaborative and down-to-earth. She wants her clients to feel comfortable, understood, and empowered to make sense of what has been weighing on them. Whether learning to set boundaries, processing painful experiences, or rebuilding a sense of confidence, clients should expect to work at their own pace to feel more grounded and connected to themselves.
Are you ready to transform with one of our licensed therapists?
Services
Individual Therapy
Family/Couples Therapy
Group Therapy
Life Goals
Recovery Support
Faith Based Counseling
Onward Counseling
Accepting the past, embracing the present, navigating the future