Meet Our LIFTers
Stacy O'Mara, LMHC and Clinical Director
Stacy O'Mara has been a clinician in Central Florida since 2001. She has been established in private practice where she works with individuals, couples, and families. Stacy is well versed in multiple modes of therapy modalities, but has a particular proclivity for Jungian approach. She is a big believer in the unconscious mind and its power to influence behavior. Stacy believes that through examining our deeper motivations, we can understand our current behaviors. In addition, Stacy uses CBT, Positive Psychology and Solution-focused therapies in her work.
Joel Neild
I’m a firefighter paramedic with over 30 years of experience, and now I’m training to become a Clinical Mental Health Counselor. My background in emergency services taught me a lot about stress, identity, resilience, and what it means to show up for others in tough times.
I work especially with first responders and LGBTQIA+ folks, and I’m here for anyone navigating the pressures of college life—whether that’s academic stress, figuring out who you are, dealing with anxiety or trauma, or just needing someone to talk to who gets it.
My counseling style blends Gestalt therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which means I focus on helping you stay present, explore your emotions without judgment, and make choices that align with your values and goals.
You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just need a safe space to start. I’m here to walk with you through it.
Christopher Poole
I am a graduate student at the University of Central Florida pursuing my Master of Arts in Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy. I believe that relationships are one of the essential aspects of life, and that they can be a source of both joy and stress.
I think it is important to consider relationships, both past and present, and how they influence one’s present thoughts, beliefs, feelings, and behaviors and vice versa. However, I am also happy to tailor sessions to whatever is on your mind and meet you where you are each week, as the session time belongs to you.
Some specific theories I like to draw from are Adlerian and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). In brief, this looks like exploring underlying beliefs about ourselves and other people and how these function in our current lives. We understand and reflect on these without judgment and seek ways to live more congruently and according to our values while accepting grace for ourselves for the times we don’t live to our ideal standards.
I know it can be difficult to share the more vulnerable parts of yourself, and it takes a lot of strength and courage to share these in counseling. If you decide to start counseling with me, I would be honored to be a part of your journey.
LIFT Is Accepting Applicants for 5/12/25 and Beyond!
Students may apply NOW for mental health counseling sessions beginning May 12, 2025.
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