9521 Shellie Rd, Suite 13, Jax FL

(904) 516-0913

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Our therapy services can help with

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Why Do We Love Helping Gifted Kids? 

We want to create a world where kids are happy and confident!


About Our Gifted Kids

         We define creative, gifted, and high-performing children as children who enjoy expressing themselves through the arts, academics, or in other ways.  We believe that every child has unique talents, skills, or other characteristics that they may choose to share with the world!

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The Creatives

Creatives express themselves through the arts. They can be self-critical at times and may have difficulty verbalizing their thoughts and feelings to others.

Click here to learn more about how therapy can help Creatives


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The Academically Talented

The Academically Talented may express themselves through their intellect.  They exceed academically but can struggle with new challenges and may have difficulty asking for help.

    Click here to learn more about how therapy can help the Academically Talented


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The Change-Makers

Change-Makers follow their intuition.  They boldly question authority and may sometimes be labeled as having behavioral problems. They may be strong advocates for justice and fairness.   Change-Makers can be successful by further developing their natural leadership qualities.

Click here to learn more about how therapy can help the Change-Makers



Take The Office Tour

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The Therapist

ERICA WHITFIELD, MACP, LMHC, BC-TMH

She/Her/Hers

LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR, 2e GIFTED COACH, EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING SKILLS COACH

email:[email protected]

Click here to watch Erica's welcome video.

Erica has over 14 years of experience working with children and adolescents and is the Founder of Positive Development.

"When kids feel accepted for who they already are, it is then that they can grow.  I started Positive Development to create a space where all gifted, creative, and high-performing kids can feel happy and confident. 

As a past high-performing student throughout her academic career in private school and public magnet school settings, Erica is uniquely positioned to understand and address the challenges faced by gifted, creative, and high-performing kids.  

Erica uses a client-centered approach with children and adolescents.  She practices expressive therapies using play, art, and other forms of creative expression combined with evidenced-based therapeutic modalities like cognitive-behavioral therapy and positive psychology. Erica helps kids during difficult life adjustments, form healthier relationships, manage stress, and perform better in school.  She specializes in providing strengths-based counseling and has helped hundreds of kids unleash their capabilities, transform obstacles into opportunities, and find healthy ways to express their energy and creativity.  

Erica graduated from the University of North Florida with a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology. She has served on the boards of the Northeast Florida Mental Health Counselors Association and the Florida Mental Health Counselors Association as President.  Erica has also served as a  board member of local community organizations that have helped over 150,000 families through mental health counseling.  Erica has extensive experience working within the Full Service Schools Program, a United Way of Northeast Florida initiative, that has connected thousands of students to a critical range of therapeutic, health, and social services.  She has a great deal of enthusiasm when it comes to inspiring others to realize their potential. 

Erica has been featured on the podcasts, Raising Adults, The Gifted Mind,  Adventures in Being Gifted, Joyful Courage, The All Things Private Practice Podcast, and The Mental Health Entrepreneur.  She has experience providing professional development to teachers of gifted students and has also presented to the Florida Association for Gifted.   Erica has also written several parenting articles published by  Jacksonville Mom, the city's largest parenting resource.

Erica publishes a weekly newsletter for parents of gifted, creative, and high-performing kids.  Click here to view her past newsletter articles!

Erica has been featured on the following podcasts:

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THE INTERN THERAPY TEAM!

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Ash Pitts, B.A. in Psychology

They/Them/Their

Pursuing Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling   

University of North Florida

Click here to watch Ash's welcome video!



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LeTrenna Mosley , B.A. in English

She/Her/Hers

Pursuing Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling   

University of North Florida

Click here to watch LeTrenna's welcome video!




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Brennan Castiel Campbell, B.A. in Psychology & Masters in Fine Arts Creative Writing 

They/He/Ender/Fae

Pursuing Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling   

University of North Florida

Click here to watch Brennan's welcome video!


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                                            THE MASTER'S LEVEL THERAPY TEAM!

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Sage Harris, B.S. in Clinical Psychology 

She/Her/Hers   

Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling   

Jacksonville University

Click here to watch Sage's welcome video!



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Dalande Leger, B.S. in Psychology    

She/Her/Hers    

Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling   

University of North Florida

Click here to watch Dalande's welcome video!




Client Reviews:

"Calm, peaceful environment. Friendly staff makes everyone feel safe!"

 - A.A.

"Thank you Positive Development for not only being there for our daughter but our entire family. Thank you for being with us in crisis, helping us to build resilience, and your continued guidance with ongoing mental wellness."

-Deborah M.

"Erica really makes us feel like we are being listened too and heard --both myself and my daughter. She helps us better understand, communicate, and share."

-Sam G.

"Erica has been very kind and caring to my daughter. My daughter enjoys going to her sessions and her mindset has improved  tremendously!"

                                                                                                                                     - Kendra M.

"My children have a new appreciation for Family Therapy. They do not fear it and realize it is essential for healthy people as well as those suffering from trauma". 

- Jennifer P.

"Matt has always been willing to work with us and has been a great help to my son. He is probably the only person that has been able to get him to talk about his mental health. He is very patient and we appreciate his help though all of the tough times we have had recently. He never seems to judge us and is very kind and patient with my family." 

- Sara S.

                                                                                                                              Privacy Policy

Office Use

Office Hours Availability

Monday:

10:00 am-7:00 pm

Tuesday:

10:00 am-7:00 pm

Wednesday:

10:00 am-7:00 pm

Thursday:

10:00 am-7:00 pm

Friday:

10:00 am-7:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

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