Meridian Counseling Center

OFFICES

THERAPISTS
at Meridian Counseling Center

Gloria (Elwell) Payne, Ph.D.
• Founder of Meridian Counseling Center
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
• Board Certified Sex Therapist
• Board Certified in Advanced
• Clinical Hypnotherapy
• Certified BodyTalk Practitioner

Dr. Gloria Payne, Founder of Meridian Counseling Center, Inc., completed her Ph.D. in sex therapy and pastoral counseling at Mamonidies University in Miami. She completed her graduate and undergraduate degrees in counseling and education respectively at USF in Tampa.

She is licensed as a Marriage & Family Therapist by the State of Florida. Dr. Payne is also a National Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Hypnotherapy, a board certified sex therapist by the American Board of Sexology, and a Board Certified BodyTalk Practitioner by the International BodyTalk Association.

Dr. Payne is a Board Member for the Institute for Survivors of Sexual Violence, Inc., a Clinical Member of the American Association of Marriage & Family Therapy, and a member of the American Academy of Clinical Sexologists, a clinical member of the International BodyTalk Association, a member of the International Association for Advanced Clinical Hypnosis, and the American Institute for Rapid Trauma Resolution. She was a speaker at the XVth World Congress of Sexology in Paris, France (in 2001) introducing Jon Connelly’s method of Rapid Trauma Resolution.

Dr. Payne completed advanced studies in Cognitive/Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Adlerian Therapy, Sex Therapy, and Dynamic Hypnotherapy under Dr. Jon Connelly.

Dr. Payne has instructed mental health professionals in Hypnotherapy and Rapid Trauma Resolution throughout Florida as an associate trainer with Jon Connelly. See www.ClearTrauma.com.

Dr. Payne is an officer of the Sunrise Rotary Club of Dade City and actively supports the American Cancer Society, conducting group smoking cessation workshops—and has been chairman of her Rotary Club’s team for "Relay For Life" events in Pasco County for the past five years.

You may e-mail Gloria at gloria@meridiancounselingcenter.net

Pamela Farr Escobar, Ph.D.
• Licensed Mental Health Counselor
• Board Certified Sex Therapist
• Certified Family Law Mediator
• Assessor/Facilitator for the State of
• Florida's Batterers' Intervention Program
• State of Florida Approved Victim Liaison

Pamela has a Ph.D. in Clinical Sexology from Maimonides University in Miami. She received a Master of Professional Counseling degree at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Leo University, St. Leo, Florida.

Pamela is an engaging and proactive therapist, utilizing cognitive-behavioral and interpersonal approaches based on client needs. This collaborative approach is employed to reduce symptoms, gain rapid relief, and promote optimal functioning. Pamela works with each patient to make sure there is careful attention given to the whole person — body, mind, and spirit.

She has a background in forensic assessment and uses her training and experience to explore every area of mental and physical health, often referring her patient back to a physician with appropriate questions to launch the patient on a road to total health. Pamela believes she has the luxury of time with each patient to expose potential problems and give better feedback to the physician.

In the diverse community in which we live, Pamela has the education and background to address a wide diversity of mental health issues. Since therapists see a lot of patients that really are not severely disordered, careful consideration is given to their environment and their health — physical, mental and spiritual. Many of the “worried well” have spiritual issues. Pamela has an undergraduate degree in theology from St. Leo University, with a broad spectrum of study in various religions.

If you are ready to make positive changes in your life, this dynamic therapist will help you meet your goals.

You may e-mail Pamela at pamela@meridiancounselingcenter.net

Erica A. Smith, MA
• Licensed Mental Health Counselor
• Certified National Counselor

Erica completed her Masters Degree in Counselor Education from the University of South Florida, Tampa and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from St. Leo University, St. Leo, Florida.

Erica is licensed as a Mental Health Counselor by the State of Florida and certified nationally to provide clinical counseling services. She has provided individual, couples, family and group counseling services in Florida for over 15 years to children, teens and adults experiencing various mental health issues. She has a background in community mental health, education, evaluation, clinical supervision and non-profit agency management. Her experiences have also included hospital social work and Hospice grief counseling services.

Erica is a member of the American Counseling Association and has provided trainings to Clinical Professionals on various Mental Health and evaluation topics. Her particular interests have included collaborations with Private and Public schools to provide counseling services to children, youth, teens experiencing social and emotional disorders, parenting education and adult relationship issues.

In today’s society many people have crises in their work, family life, relationships and experience multiple or chronic health issues. Others struggle to find meaning in their lives. Experienced with a wide range of issues – including anxiety, grief/loss, anger management, depression and relationships, Erica works with individuals and families to develop effective coping strategies that promote positive and enduring changes in their overall mental, physical and emotional health. She provides services utilizing cognitive, behavioral and solution focused approaches to address the emotional and interpersonal concerns of individuals and families.

Because each individual approaches life differently based on his/her own experiences, the therapeutic process needs to be tailored to each person’s unique needs and desired goals. With this in mind, Erica is committed to engaging you in your personal journey to discover and explore opportunities for change, pursue happiness and reclaim your life.

You may e-mail Erica at erica@meridiancounselingcenter.net

HOME THERAPISTS HYPNOTHERAPY BODY TALK TESTIMONIALS GROUPS CONTACT US OFFICES Pasco County Dade County	THERAPISTS at Meridian Counseling Center
		Gloria (Elwell) Payne, Ph.D. • Founder of Meridian Counseling Center • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist • Board Certified Sex Therapist • Board Certified in Advanced • Clinical Hypnotherapy • Certified BodyTalk Practitioner Dr. Gloria Payne, Founder of Meridian Counseling Center, Inc., completed her Ph.D. in sex therapy and pastoral counseling at Mamonidies University in Miami. She completed her graduate and undergraduate degrees in counseling and education respectively at USF in Tampa. She is licensed as a Marriage & Family Therapist by the State of Florida. Dr. Payne is also a National Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Hypnotherapy, a board certified sex therapist by the American Board of Sexology, and a Board Certified BodyTalk Practitioner by the International BodyTalk Association. Dr. Payne is a Board Member for the Institute for Survivors of Sexual Violence, Inc., a Clinical Member of the American Association of Marriage & Family Therapy, and a member of the American Academy of Clinical Sexologists, a clinical member of the International BodyTalk Association, a member of the International Association for Advanced Clinical Hypnosis, and the American Institute for Rapid Trauma Resolution. She was a speaker at the XVth World Congress of Sexology in Paris, France (in 2001) introducing Jon Connelly’s method of Rapid Trauma Resolution. Dr. Payne completed advanced studies in Cognitive/Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Adlerian Therapy, Sex Therapy, and Dynamic Hypnotherapy under Dr. Jon Connelly. Dr. Payne has instructed mental health professionals in Hypnotherapy and Rapid Trauma Resolution throughout Florida as an associate trainer with Jon Connelly. See www.ClearTrauma.com. Dr. Payne is an officer of the Sunrise Rotary Club of Dade City and actively supports the American Cancer Society, conducting group smoking cessation workshops—and has been chairman of her Rotary Club’s team for "Relay For Life" events in Pasco County for the past five years. You may e-mail Gloria at gloria@meridiancounselingcenter.net
		Pamela Farr Escobar, Ph.D. • Licensed Mental Health Counselor • Board Certified Sex Therapist • Certified Family Law Mediator • Assessor/Facilitator for the State of • Florida's Batterers' Intervention Program • State of Florida Approved Victim Liaison Pamela has a Ph.D. in Clinical Sexology from Maimonides University in Miami. She received a Master of Professional Counseling degree at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Leo University, St. Leo, Florida. Pamela is an engaging and proactive therapist, utilizing cognitive-behavioral and interpersonal approaches based on client needs. This collaborative approach is employed to reduce symptoms, gain rapid relief, and promote optimal functioning. Pamela works with each patient to make sure there is careful attention given to the whole person — body, mind, and spirit. She has a background in forensic assessment and uses her training and experience to explore every area of mental and physical health, often referring her patient back to a physician with appropriate questions to launch the patient on a road to total health. Pamela believes she has the luxury of time with each patient to expose potential problems and give better feedback to the physician. In the diverse community in which we live, Pamela has the education and background to address a wide diversity of mental health issues. Since therapists see a lot of patients that really are not severely disordered, careful consideration is given to their environment and their health — physical, mental and spiritual. Many of the “worried well” have spiritual issues. Pamela has an undergraduate degree in theology from St. Leo University, with a broad spectrum of study in various religions. If you are ready to make positive changes in your life, this dynamic therapist will help you meet your goals. You may e-mail Pamela at pamela@meridiancounselingcenter.net
		Erica A. Smith, MA • Licensed Mental Health Counselor • Certified National Counselor Erica completed her Masters Degree in Counselor Education from the University of South Florida, Tampa and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from St. Leo University, St. Leo, Florida. Erica is licensed as a Mental Health Counselor by the State of Florida and certified nationally to provide clinical counseling services. She has provided individual, couples, family and group counseling services in Florida for over 15 years to children, teens and adults experiencing various mental health issues. She has a background in community mental health, education, evaluation, clinical supervision and non-profit agency management. Her experiences have also included hospital social work and Hospice grief counseling services. Erica is a member of the American Counseling Association and has provided trainings to Clinical Professionals on various Mental Health and evaluation topics. Her particular interests have included collaborations with Private and Public schools to provide counseling services to children, youth, teens experiencing social and emotional disorders, parenting education and adult relationship issues. In today’s society many people have crises in their work, family life, relationships and experience multiple or chronic health issues. Others struggle to find meaning in their lives. Experienced with a wide range of issues – including anxiety, grief/loss, anger management, depression and relationships, Erica works with individuals and families to develop effective coping strategies that promote positive and enduring changes in their overall mental, physical and emotional health. She provides services utilizing cognitive, behavioral and solution focused approaches to address the emotional and interpersonal concerns of individuals and families. Because each individual approaches life differently based on his/her own experiences, the therapeutic process needs to be tailored to each person’s unique needs and desired goals. With this in mind, Erica is committed to engaging you in your personal journey to discover and explore opportunities for change, pursue happiness and reclaim your life. You may e-mail Erica at erica@meridiancounselingcenter.net