Oliver Klicker (he/they)

Oliver Klicker currently serves as the Marketing Operations Director for Grand Circus. Oliver has helped companies of all sizes grow their online presence by creating marketing and visual identities that amplify their core values. He has over twelve years of experience in website and graphic design, and has helped over 100 independent clients in his career.

A jack of all trades, Oliver has held many positions in marketing teams including SEO specialist, senior project manager, and website developer. He also has an extensive background as a workshop facilitator and panelist in the core areas of gender diversity, cultural humility, and art representation in higher education. His passions include disability advocacy, social justice, art & design, and pickleball. Oliver currently lives in North Central Florida with his wonderful partner and his heart dog Mr. Rogers.

Dr. Jen Evans (she)

Dr. Jen Evans is a licensed clinical psychologist who works in private practice as well as at the University of Florida's Youth Gender Clinic. Dr. Evans has worked with LGBTQ+ teens and adults in individual and group therapy since 2005, received supervision and consultation regarding provision of therapy to LGBTQ+ clients, and regularly attends trainings and conferences that focus on affirming queer identities. Dr. Evans frequently presents to medical and mental health providers regarding providing LGBTQ+ affirming services. Dr. Evans is a co-chair for the FPA diversity and cultural competency committee. Jen is currently the secretary of Transgender Health Education Network.

Jenny Banks, RLMHCI (They/She)

Jenny Banks is a Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern who works at a group private practice in Gainesville Florida. They are a proud and passionate member of the LGBTQ+ community and strive to advocate for their clients and communities inside and out of the counseling room. Jenny frequents trainings and consultation spaces that focus on affirming care, such as Gender Affirming Care letter writing, to bolster her competency and resources she can offer.

Outside of their profession, Jenny stays creative and active between their hobbies of DND, video games, needle crafts, weightlifting, and exploring nature. 

Dr. Carlos A. Hernandez

Dr. Carlos A. Hernandez is currently a staff counselor at a university counseling center. He is a licensed mental health counselor. He received his doctorate and specialist degrees in Mental Health Counseling from the Department of Counselor Education, specializing in mental health and multicultural counseling. His current clinical and research interests include multiculturalism, sexual and gender diverse minorities, and vocational issues. He is also involved in the training and supervision of practicum and specialist interns and provides seminars on counseling sexual and gender diverse minorities. He has guest lectured for numerous graduate counseling courses and has presented at local and national conferences. Dr. Hernandez co-created and co-taught the first ever graduate course in the Counselor Education Department entitled, “Counseling the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Client”. Dr. Hernandez provides individual, group, and couples counseling to students with a variety of clinical, vocational, and interpersonal issues and concerns.

Debbie Weiss, LMHC

Debbie Weiss Hatfield is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in private practice. She worked as a Victim Advocate at the University of Florida Police Department and as a therapist at the University of Florida Counseling and Wellness Center prior to going into private practice in 2019.

Debbie has a passion for social justice and liberation and identifies as a feminist therapist, working with a diverse population of people from a systemic oppression perspective. She is experienced in providing therapeutic care to many individuals in different stages of gender transition and identity, to survivors of interpersonal violence and trauma, and assisting clients with navigating the legal, medical, and professional/academic systems they encounter.

Debbie previously served as the Conference Committee Chair for the Gainesville Commission on the Status of Women and has been on the board of GCOSW for many years. She is currently the CE/Professional Development Coordinator of the Transgender Health Education Network (THEN), continuing to further her values of making continuing education accessible in our community.

Alea Wise M.Ed./Ed.S., Licensed Mental Health Counselor, LPCC, NCC, Registered Play Therapist™, Qualified Supervisor-Florida

Alea is a licensed mental health counselor with specific training in trauma and play therapy. In her work, she takes the journey with clients, walking with them during times of difficulty and discomfort until they’re able to discover more peace and stability within.

Alea creates collaborative experiences with the children who come in for play therapy sessions. Children teach her about their world through play, words, and feelings and Alea meets them in there, honoring each child’s individual way of connecting to and experiencing their environments. Within the freedom of the playroom, children deepen their own sense of self, furthering their ability to express needs, desires, and strengths.

Alea is often inspired by children’s innate wisdom and resiliency, and relies on these traits to guide their work together.

Alea also works with adolescents and adults, helping them access more balance, understanding, and connection. By using creativity and mindfulness techniques, she allows clients to grow, discover inner strengths, and foster healing. Alea is a skilled guide, moving with people as they uncover their truths and reconnect to their inner knowing. She supports her clients in owning all parts of their story, and in doing so, gaining more self-acceptance and self-compassion.

In her free time, Alea enjoys painting, nature, and spending time with her dog, Ellie. She also finds joy in helping people as a Reiki Master in the community.

Julie Frisbie-Knudsen, MSN, AGNP, PMHNP (She/Her)

Julie Frisbie-Knudsen is a psychiatric nurse practitioner, and her goal is to create a safe space to feel welcomed, accepted and respected. She wants people to know "we will find help together whether through medicine, counseling or both".

Julie's nursing background includes women’s health, hospice care, and serving clients with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. She enjoys working with children, adolescents, college students and adults, as well as supporting other adoptive families. She is dual board certified as a Psychiatric and Adult Nurse Practitioner. We have been proud to have Julie serve as an intern at Sarkis Family Psychiatry during her Psychiatric Mental Health clinical rotation. She accepted our offer to stay on as a provider in August of 2020.

When not working, Julie says, "I am enjoying (or exhausted from) spending time with my partner, 4 children and two dogs!".