About.

The Heartland Counseling Center is a counseling ministry extension of Heartland Church - Winter Haven. Life is not meant to be dealt with by yourself. The Counseling Center is available to help you in the midst of pain and struggles, but is also here for you in the happy and exciting times of life.

Established in 2017

The counseling ministry began in September 2017 with the addition of the first staff members dedicated solely to providing counseling services to the community.

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide professional Christian counseling in an atmosphere of hope, healing, and restoration.

Our Team

Dr. Robert Kirk Allison, Jr.
Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Allison is a native of Polk County and more specifically Winter Haven. He matriculated through Lake Region High School and found himself entering the college ranks with the United States Military Academy at West Point. This was a tumultuous time of his education, but it was there he discovered his interest in human behavior. Dr. Allison finished his education out West obtaining his Master’s of the Arts and Doctorate in the area of Clinical Psychology at Midwestern University. 
 
Dr. Allison’s education, training and experience focused his energies towards the family as well as the community. Dr. Allison’s eclectic therapeutic approach facilitates multiple methods of treatment centered on a strong faith and love for his fellow man. Dr. Allison has worked with general therapy clients including Psychological and Neuropsychology Assessment as well as working with Community Healthcare and Crisis facilities. He also has multitudes of experience working with Sex Offenders and the Victims of sexual abuse. Dr. Allison currently assists the 10th Circuit’s Judges and Attorneys with Forensic Psychological concerns as well as private legal practitioners and the Department of Children and Families; performing evaluations, consultations and expert testimony.  
 
Dr. Allison was blessed to have the opportunity to return to Polk after his education was complete. After valuable training and experience with a well known local practice in Kindelan McDanal & Associates, he now finds himself called to serve in a new capacity. Heartland Counseling Center was born in order to combine the general psychological needs of the community with a faith-based approach. Dr. Allison’s faith has always guided his counseling approach and he is excited to gauge its impact on the community. 
 
Dr. Allison is joined by his wife Stefani Allison and his son AJ. He is excited for what the future will bring for the program and for Winter Haven and its surrounding communities.

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Kim Picha
Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Kim moved to Florida in 2017. She began attending Heartland Church where she learned about their new counseling center. She was excited to join this team as she has always sought to integrate her faith and psychology.
 
Kim graduated with her BA in psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and her Masters in psychology and counseling from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. Kim has been in the counseling profession for over 20 years. While living in Illinois she worked at a homeless shelter in Chicago, a residential treatment center for adolescents, a community mental health center, and finally in private practice. Kim has recently pursued advanced training in marital therapy. She enjoys working with married couples and individuals on a wide variety of issues.
 
Kim and her husband Mike, son (David), and daughter (Emma) live in Winter Haven. She is happy to join and serve this community.

Jeffrey L. Brooks
Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern​

Jeff is a retired Army chaplain, ordained minister, and the author of Resting in God’s Shadow: Encouragement for Military Boot Camp which was published by Deep River Books in 2017.  He graduated from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in 1998 with a master’s degree in Christian Education and from Southeastern University in 2019 with a master’s degree in Professional Counseling.  

Brooks is experienced in helping married couples better understand, appreciate, and bring out the best in each other.  His therapeutic interventions include Person-Centered Therapy (Carl Rogers), Choice Theory/Reality Therapy (William Glassar), Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (Albert Ellis), and Emotionally Focused Couples and Family Therapy (Susan Johnson).

Jeff served our nation as an enlisted Marine for seven years and as an officer in the Army also for fifteen years.  His military awards include the Bronze Star Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, and the Navy Achievement Medal.  He is a member of the American Psychological Association, American Counseling Association, American Association of Christian Counselors, and the Evangelical Church Alliance.  

​Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:28-29, NIV).

Ana L. Brinton
Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Ana grew up in church and has served in Children’s Ministry as a worker and as a leader. Serving in those roles within the church she saw certain needs in the lives of children and families that were being unmet. These needs included struggles within blended families, parent divorce, grief, loss, behavioral and emotional issues, to name a few. This sparked an interest in Ana to go into the study of psychology.

Ms. Brinton received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology from Florida Atlantic University in 2006. She received her Master’s of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University in 2011. The Lord then placed a burden in her heart to receive further training in the area of Christian Counseling. She attended Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida and acquired a second Master’s Degree in School Counseling in 2013. It was during this time that Ana received the training she was looking to acquire that was focused on a Christ-centered approach to counseling.

During the past few years, Ana has had the opportunity of working in private practice where she has worked closely with children and families, as well as adults and the elderly. She has dealt with issues of depression, anxiety, behavior and attention-deficit, grief and loss.

Ms. Brinton lives in Winter Haven with her husband, Mathew, and 18 month old son, Caleb. She is a native of Brazil, having moved to America at the age of 14. She speaks English and Portuguese fluently.​

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Mary Beth Claypool
Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Mary Beth grew up in Polk county and currently lives on a small farm in Lake Wales. She graduated high school and received her Bachelor’s degree from local schools before deciding to follow her passion for people in the field of Social Work. She graduated with Honors from the University of Central Florida with her Masters in Social Work, obtained her license, and has been practicing in the field for over 8 years.  She has a large heart for people to function as their best-self! 

Mary Beth has been blessed to work in a variety of counseling settings with a wide range of culturally diverse clients, high risk teenagers, and has worked in schools in a mental health role for the last 6 years. Mary Beth has helped others cope with issues of anxiety, depression, attention-deficit, self-injurious behaviors, and grief. 

Mary Beth’s  favorite Bible verses are James 1:2-4 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

Mary Beth and her husband Michael, daughter (Addilyn), and son (Carter) live in Lake Wales and have a great connection and passion for this community. Mary Beth and her family currently attend First Baptist Church of Lake Wales. She enjoys working on the farm, playing with her kids, eating sweets, and watching her favorite TV show - Friends.

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Patti Moore
Office Manager

Patti comes to us having worked in the administrative field for many years. She joins the counseling center after having previously worked at Kindelan McDanal & Associates for ten years. She received her education from Polk State College.  

She and her husband, Gary, have been married for 32 years. Patti enjoys spending time with her daughter, and her son and his wife exploring the Disney Parks. She and her husband also enjoy NASCAR, camping, college football and spending time with their friends and family. Patti and her husband are active in their church where they have been involved with music ministry, youth ministry and small group Bible study.  

One of her favorite Bible verses is Matthew 19:26, which reads: “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”  

Patti will take your calls, answer your email and be the friendly face you will she when you check in for your appointment. 

We're Here For You

​Set up an appointment or get more
​information by calling 863.299.7787 today.