Christopher Floro

Founder & Director of Training

Chris is a Marriage & Family Therapist specializing in trauma treatment as well as individual, couples, and family therapy. He has over 24 years' experience as a pastoral counselor, military chaplain, and marriage & family therapist. His areas of expertise are treating post-traumatic stress, acute stress, sexual abuse, and physical abuse. As an interactive EMDR trainer, his approach is to provide energetic and enthusiastic training designed to help you integrate EMDR into your clinical setting and modality. Chris has trained over 1,000 clinicians in the use of EMDR since 2015. He has been married to Holly since 1986 and has 5 adult children and 8 grandchildren. He is the founder of Thrive Counseling & Consulting, PLLC and Thrive Training & Publications, LLC.
Credentials
Chris Floro
TRAINER & CONSULTANT

Vianca Anderson is a Licensed Professional Counselor in South Carolina. She obtained her Master's degree in Psychology from the University of South Carolina Aiken. Vianca's theoretical orientations include trauma-focused counseling and person-centered therapy. She is fluent in Spanish and English.



TRAINER & CONSULTANT

Bethany graduated from Vanderbilt University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, and is practicing in TN as a LPC and Registered Yoga Teacher. She specializes in complex trauma work with children and adults using somatic-based therapy and EMDR. Her EMDR journey began when she was in grad school, so she’s never been a therapist without it! She loves helping other therapists move through their own anxiety about using EMDR with clients, and she is a great fit for those looking for a somatic focus with all ages.

TRAINER & CONSULTANT

Suzanne E. Mikkelson, Ph.D., LMFT, has been an EMDRIA Approved Consultant since 2011. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and AAMFT Approved Supervisor. Along with her husband David, Suzanne runs Hill City Counseling and Consulting, LLC in Lynchburg, VA. Suzanne’s expertise includes trauma, PTSD, couples, families, spiritual issues, and working with military and missionary clients. She enjoys helping clinicians transition from talk therapy to EMDR, focusing on the brain’s healing capacity. Suzanne is also an international speaker on trauma and military issues.

TRAINER & CONSULTANT

Patricia T. Hanley, MA, LCMHC-S, NCC, was trained in EMDR in 2014, became EMDRIA Certified in 2015, and an Approved Consultant in 2018. She has coached multiple EMDR trainings and certified many clinicians. As both an EMDRIA Approved Consultant and a former EMDR client, Patricia’s personal and professional life was profoundly impacted by EMDR. With 13 years of experience, she specializes in treating adults and teens with various issues, including trauma, anxiety, depression, and relationship challenges, serving both LGBTQIA* and military/civilian populations.

TRAINER & CONSULTANT

Jackie Smith, LICSW, BCN, EMDRIA Consultant With a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Washington and over 25 years of healthcare experience, Jackie Smith, LICSW is a passionate advocate for trauma survivors. As a Veteran, they offer a unique perspective and unwavering dedication to helping those in need. As an EMDRIA Consultant, Jackie is committed to educating and supporting therapists in their growth. Jackie Smith, LICSW blends expertise and empathy to make a profound impact on the lives they touch.

TRAINER & CONSULTANT

Kenneth understands the impact of trauma and the importance of quality mental health care. He entered the field to help people heal in a client-centered, trauma-informed environment. Specializing in combat, first responder, physical, and sexual trauma, Kenneth believes in individuals' internal strength to overcome their past. He holds a Bachelor’s in Clinical Health Science from George Washington University, a Master of Social Work from the University of New England, and a post-graduate Trauma Certificate from the University of Tennessee. Kenneth is EMDR Certified and an EMDRIA Approved Consultant.

TRAINER & CONSULTANT

Tony is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia and Certified EMDR Therapist with more than 20 years of experience providing a variety of services to individuals and families including crisis services in the clinic and hospital setting, mental health and substance use outpatient services, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing treatment. Tony has worked with people who are experiencing depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He has extensive experience providing clinical supervision to licensed residents in counseling.

TRAINER & CONSULTANT

Angela has been in private practice since 2003 and began specializing in EMDR therapy after training in 2018. Her focus quickly shifted to clients with trauma, PTSD, and C-PTSD. She is now EMDR certified and an EMDRIA Approved Consultant. Angela is a Level 1 Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist, working toward Level 2, with a special interest in treating dissociation and dissociative disorders. She continues to pursue further training in this area. In her free time, Angela enjoys spending time with her adult children, friends, and being outdoors.

TRAINER & CONSULTANT

After 10 years in church ministry, Tamra sought better tools to help people with trauma, leading her to earn a Master’s in Christian Counseling from Gordon Conwell. After experiencing her own healing through EMDR, she trained under Chris Floro and now uses EMDR almost exclusively. Tamra specializes in treating anxiety, personality, and attachment disorders, and has become an EMDR consultant and AAMFT Supervisor in training. She is currently using EMDR to treat formerly incarcerated women and conducting research to explore its effectiveness with this group.

TRAINER & CONSULTANT


Gina opened her therapy practice in 2017 after 20 years as a medical and trauma social worker. As a certified EMDR therapist, she helps individuals overcome past trauma to free themselves from anxiety and depression. She created Combating Teen Anxiety, a 10-step method to help teens manage their emotions. In addition to her practice, Gina offers corporate workshops and keynote speaking, using her 23 years of clinical expertise to help adults and teens manage anxiety and express emotions productively.

EMDR Coach

Kielyr received her BA in Psychology and Human Services from the University of Minnesota and her masters in Social Work (MSW) from Widener University. She is certified in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C), Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and has over 6 years of experience in serving individuals with developmental disabilities such as Austism. She has an extensive background in trauma and believes EMDR is a great tool to help support clients who have experienced trauma. Kielyr strives to create a safe, empathetic space for individuals and utilize a person centered approach.

CONSULTANT

As a first-generation college graduate and part of the 4% of Black therapists, Aleya Williams is a compassionate, Certified EMDR Therapist and consultant who specializes in helping adults heal from trauma, anxiety, and Borderline Personality Disorder. Aleya is also our cultural & social awareness advisor on the Thrive staff team.

With a warm, affirming approach, Aleya supports clients navigating stress, mood challenges, self-esteem, spirituality, relationships, and LGBTQIA+ issues—creating a safe space for meaningful, lasting change.

COACH & CONSULTANT

Kayla Schubert-Wirth (she/her) is a LCSW in Pennsylvania, EMDR Certified Therapist, and EMDRIA Consultant in Training. She owns a trauma-focused group therapy practice called Grit & Grace Psychotherapy, where all the clinicians are getting trained and certified in EMDR. She specializes in childhood trauma and Adult Children of Alcoholics. Having suffered from some of her own trauma as a child, she knew she needed to heal herself first before she could effectively help others. It was through her own EMDR work and healing that she has come to a place of strength and grace. And it is from this place that she has a genuine desire to help others who are trying to recover from difficult life circumstances.

EMDR COACH

Aimee Finegan graduated with her Master’s in 2017 from Messiah College and completed her EMDR basic training shortly after. She specializes in working with those who have experienced various forms of abuse – sexual, physical, spiritual and emotional. In 2023 she started her own private practice, Finegan Counseling, to find a good balance between clients and home life. She currently lives in Knoxville, TN with her husband, 2 kids and 2 dogs.

Continuing Education Trainer

Anita has been in the mental health field for over 30 years working with a variety of populations within a broad range of settings. She specializes in C-PTSD, attachment issues, dissociation, perinatal trauma and loss and sexual abuse and assault. Anita also has a penchant for helping therapists reduce their anxiety. She loves helping people recognize their abilities, blend their intuition and skills with new learning, and transition to providing EMDR with confidence and ease.

CONSULTANT

Kim Jordan, LPCC-S, is a trauma therapist and founder of Emotional Care, LLC, providing trauma therapy, workshops, and counseling. A U.S. Army veteran, she also offers mental health coaching.

With master’s degrees in counseling, she is trained in EMDR and IFS therapy. She treats PTSD and Military Sexual Trauma (MST) at the Department of Veteran Affairs and supports first responders through Ohio Assist.

Staff

Katharine Floro
President [email protected]
Israel Markle
Vice President [email protected]
Alainya Pierce
Program Manager [email protected]
Aleya Williams
Cultural & Social Awareness Advisor
Renee Atkinson
Billing Specialist [email protected]
Nichole Surber
Assistant Program Manager [email protected]