Dawn Elliott Kendall Founder M.A., L.M.H.C. N.B.C.C. MH 6623
Jennifer Patterson
Student Intern
Dawn started New Beginnings Christian Counseling and the Eating Disorder Recovery Center of Florida out of the desire to offer people hope, a quality level of care and a safe place to heal. A graduate of Reformed Theological Seminary, she holds a license to counsel from the State of Florida as well as a Certification to Supervise Counseling Interns.
Dawn has 20 years experience and training in the field of eating disorders, trauma, attachment and relational issues and other coexisting concerns. She respects the dignity of each person as being a unique and special individual with their own set of needs and tailors her therapy accordingly. Her counseling approaches vary from CBT, Object Relations, Attachment Theory, Gestalt, Healing Prayer, Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Experiential Therapies. She collaborates with each client as to what the best approach for them will be. Dawn is available for case consultation, training, lectures, supervision and workshops in addition to her therapy practice.
Dawn works with an excellent team of resources (dietician, body and massage therapist, psychiatrist, physicians and more) in the Orlando area. Her collaborative work with these professionals ensures the individual's mind, body, heart and spirit are attended to, thus serving the whole person.
Dawn is married and a mother of 4 children. She loves to ballroom dance, spend time at the beach, read and write.
Jennifer Patterson joins New Beginnings Christian Counseling Services, Inc. as a Student Intern from Palm Beach Atlantic University in Orlando, Florida where she is enrolled in the Master’s in Counseling Psychology Program.She is slated for graduation in May 2012.Jennifer combines her passion for serving others with her clinical knowledge to offer hope to the hurting soul, and her heart's desire is to work with individuals and families, and come along side them in their journey of self-discovery and healing.
Jennifer is also a Registered Nurse, with a background in general, orthopedic, cardiovascular, thoracic, and plastic surgery. She subscribes to The Medicine of the Whole Person as described by Paul Tournier, which necessitates attending to the body, mind, and spirit; therefore, Jennifer is holistic in her approach to therapy, emphasizing a team approach to treatment with open communication between the team members.
Current professional memberships include the Mental Health Association of Central Florida, Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS), the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA), and the Eating Disorder Network of Central Florida (EDNCF).
Jennifer is an artist and poet, enjoys being a mother of three, fishing, reading, painting, walking, kayaking, and playing with her two chihuahuas, Roxy and Yoda.
