Jodi Morley, Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
My "Why"
When I was about five years old, my mom asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I told her, "I want to help people breathe." At the time, we assumed that meant medicine. I loved science and was fascinated by the brain and the connection between our minds and bodies.
Years later, I understand that helping people breathe was never about lungs or oxygen. It was about helping people feel safe enough to exhale. To slow down. To feel.
My path first led me into pharmaceuticals, where I learned how powerfully the brain and body respond to medication. That experience gave me a deep respect for biological healing, but it also showed me that meaningful and lasting change often requires more than symptom management. Healing happens when people feel safe, understood, and supported enough for their nervous system to settle.
Around the same time, life was teaching me these lessons in a much more personal way. Becoming a mother deepened my understanding of how early experiences shape the way we cope with stress, relationships, and emotions. Over time, I came to understand how trauma, attachment, and our nervous systems influence the way we experience ourselves and the world around us.
Today, helping people breathe means helping them reconnect with their bodies, understand their emotions, and feel safer in their relationships. I believe that when people feel seen and supported, meaningful growth and healing become possible.
Three Fun Facts About Me
* I’m an animal lover who has fostered over a hundred orphaned and mistreated kittens, and even a few bunnies along the way
* I once appeared on Wheel of Fortune with a soap opera star (we lost, but it’s still a great story)
* I’m a fur mom to a bunny and a former foster cat who decided our family was permanent
My Favorite Books
* The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown
* The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
* Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb
My Hobbies
* Spending time with my family, whether that’s game nights, taking walks, building Legos, or simply being together
* Volunteering in a variety of settings, from working with children and nursing homes to supporting animal rescue
* Creative projects like cookie and cake decorating or crafting
* Traveling to new places, with a love for both water and mountains and discovering spots off the beaten path
* Reading and getting lost in stories that offer meaning, reflection, and hope
My Journey as a Therapist
My path to becoming a therapist has been shaped by both professional experience and a lifelong curiosity about how people grow, heal, and connect.
I earned my Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Dickinson College, where my interest in human behavior and development first took root. I later completed my Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Central Florida and earned a Play Therapy certificate through UCF.
Before becoming a counselor, I worked in pharmaceuticals and later became a teacher in Exceptional Student Education, supporting children with diverse learning and developmental needs. These experiences strengthened my understanding of how environments, relationships, and nervous system safety influence emotional and behavioral growth.
Today I work with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. I am especially passionate about supporting clients navigating trauma, anxiety, emotional regulation, and relationship challenges. I also enjoy working with neurodivergent clients, including individuals with autism and ADHD, and I strive to provide a neurodivergent affirming space that honors each person's unique way of thinking and experiencing the world.
When working with children, I often incorporate play therapy and creative approaches because children naturally process emotions through play. These experiences allow children to express feelings, build emotional awareness, and develop healthy coping skills in ways that feel safe and natural.
With teens and adults, therapy may focus on understanding patterns shaped by past experiences, building emotional regulation skills, and strengthening a sense of self and safety.
In couples therapy, I help partners better understand the emotional patterns that can lead to conflict and disconnection. Together we work toward improving communication, increasing empathy, and rebuilding trust and connection.
Whether I am sitting on the floor in the playroom with a child, supporting a teen navigating overwhelm, or helping partners reconnect after difficult moments, my goal is the same. I aim to create a space where people feel safe, understood, and empowered to grow.
My Favorite Superhero
Not a traditional superhero, but Luna Lovegood. I admire her authenticity, gentleness, and the way she sees and accepts people exactly as they are.
My Favorite Quote
"Trauma is not what happens to us, but what we hold inside in the absence of an empathetic witness."— Dr. Peter Levine
Fees and Availability
Jodi's private pay rate is $150/hour. She is currently accepting new clients for in-person and virtual sessions, Monday through Thursday. She participates with FL Blue, Aetna and Cigna insurances and Health Savings accounts.