Dr. Debra K. Carter
Dr. Carter is a Clinical Psychologist, licensed in Florida since 1987. She is also a Certified Parenting Coordinator Trainer and Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator. Dr. Carter is the Co-Founder and Chief Clinical Officer of the FICP, Florida Institute for Cooperative Parenting, with offices across Florida offering a wide spectrum of services for families and children who are struggling with divorce related issues. A frequent expert to the court and lecturer on parenting in divorce, Dr. Carter is a leader in the development of standardized Parental Responsibility Guidelines emphasizing the needs of children in divorce, which have been adopted and endorsed by the court. She was awarded the Child, Adolescent, and Family Division "Outstanding Contributions Award" by the Florida Psychological Association in 1998 and won "Psychologist of the Year" in 1999. She was recognized as a "Distinguished Psychologist" in 2001 and was honored by the Florida Psychological Association with an additional award for "Outstanding Work in the Profession of Psychology," also in 2001.

Dr. Carter is also recognized for her specialty in eating disorders, having run an intensive outpatient clinic for the treatment of anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder for 15 years. She is a member of the prestigious Academy for Eating Disorders and has lectured widely on topics related to eating disorders, body image, and women's health.

Click here to read Dr. Carter's Curriculum Vitae (pdf)

Dr. Michael B. Spellman
Dr. Michael B. Spellman, is a licensed Clinical Psychologist who has been practicing since 1978. He is certified by the Supreme Court of FL as a Family Law Mediator and is a Certified Parenting Coordinator. Gov. Bush appointed Dr. Spellman to Florida's Commission on Mental Health and Substance Abuse. He was selected by his peers as Psychologist of the Year in 1998. On the national level, Dr. Spellman was awarded the prestigious Heiser Award by the American Psychological Association.

Dr. Spellman enjoys a reputation among psychiatrists and other mental health professionals as an astute diagnostician with training in both psychological and neuropsychological assessment. Having served as Chief of Staff at several of Southwest Florida's hospitals, Dr. Spellman often works in a team format. In addition to his work in the area of forensic psychology and the needs of children in divorce, Dr. Spellman's practice is focused on children with attention deficit disorders and other academic challenges. While maintaining a general clinical practice, Dr. Spellman works extensively with couples to help enhance flagging relationships. Outside of the clinical arena, Dr. Spellman consults to corporations, including small businesses that are interested in maximizing employee performance and tenure.

Click here to read Dr. Spellman's Curriculum Vitae (pdf)

Dr. Lara E. Embry
Dr. Lara E. Embry's practice includes the assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and adults in individual, family and couple therapy. Her interests include working with individuals and families in transition, including the transition to parenthood, adjusting to divorce, transition to adolescence, preparing to launch adolescents to college and the transition to retirement. Dr. Embry has received specialized training in couple therapy, personality assessment, behavior therapy, and the assessment and treatment of addictive behaviors. In addition, she has received clinical training and worked extensively with individuals with depression, anxiety, health related psychological problems, eating disorders and obesity as well as in diagnosing developmental disabilities.

Dr. Embry has been actively involved in research in child and adolescent adjustment, post-partum depression, and couple therapy. Dr. Embry's research has been published in prestigious peer reviewed publications and has been presented at national conferences. She has also taught at New College of Florida, University of Washington, and Western Washington University, and has given numerous guest lectures and presentations. Dr. Embry's clinical practice utilizes current research on psychological processes and treatment efficacy to provide clients with optimal care that meets their needs.

Click here to read Dr. Embry's Curriculum Vitae (pdf)  

Dr. Charles R. Davenport
Dr. Davenport’s practice focuses on treating mood, anxiety, and adjustment disorders in individuals of all ages. He is experienced in treating both couples and families addressing communication, behavior, and marital problems. He specializes in the assessment of ADD and ADHD, Gifted and Learning Disabled individuals and treatment of children, adolescents and young adults. His approach involves work with students, their parents, and educators to foster a supportive environment in which these youngsters can reach their full potential.

Dr. Davenport served as an instructor at Hillsborough Community College and as a teacher of at-risk students at Sarasota High School. His background includes providing Psychological services to students at New College as well as at the University of South Florida in Sarasota and St. Petersburg. Dr. Davenport’s research has been in the area of Gifted/Learning Disabled school-age children. He is current in his understanding of shifting federal laws that dictate how schools identify and provide accommodations for these students.

Having worked within the Florida educational system, Dr. Davenport is attuned to the legal, educational, social and emotional challenges facing this population. Dr. Davenport brings a rich background to providing supportive treatment specific to the needs of Gifted and/or Learning Disabled young people.

Click here to read Dr. Davenport's Curriculum Vitae (pdf)

Dr. Heather Turmel
Dr. Turmel’s focus is in providing individual and family therapy to adults, adolescents, and children. She is experienced in providing psychological testing to assess for learning disabilities, intelligence, emotional disorders, behavioral disorders, and personality assessment. Her work with adults has focused on the treatment of depressive disorders, anxiety, personality disorders, and trauma. Her approach to treatment is tailored to the individual needs of the client, encouraging the development of healthy coping strategies to deal with daily stressors.

Dr. Turmel has received specialized training in the area of child and adolescent therapy and assessment. Her work with children and adolescents has focused on providing clinical services to address depressive disorders, anxiety, behavioral disorders, dealing with trauma, and eating disorders. Additionally, she has worked within several treatment facilities for youth within the foster care system and is aware of the challenges and difficulties that these youth face in placement and adoption.

Dr. Turmel has focused her research on the impact of parenting difficulties, including the areas of attachment, communication, and discipline.  Family therapy may address parenting difficulties and methods for treating both the parent and child, fostering the development of healthy communication, positive discipline, and behavior modification.

Dr. Turmel is a Provisional Psychologist Licensee, working under the supervision of Licensed Psychologist Debra K. Carter.

Click here to read Dr. Turmel's Curriculum Vitae (pdf)

Dr. James M. McGovern
Dr. McGovern is a licensed Clinical Psychologist who is board certified in Clinical Neuropsychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology, the premier organization of its kind.  As such, he has expertise in understanding how behavior and skills are related to brain structures and systems.

Practicing in Manatee County since 1988, much of his work has focused on evaluating and treating individuals with suspected or documented diseases and injuries of the brain.  As such, he helps patients and their families maximize their abilities to adapt to the changes imposed upon them by neurologic and other medical conditions. 

Dr. McGovern has a strong background in traumatic brain injury and stroke rehabilitation, and he served on the Board of Directors of the Florida Brain Injury Association from 1995 to 1998.  He was also a Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurology in the School of Medicine at the University of South Florida from 1998 to 2001.  He has hospital privileges at Blake Medical Center and Manatee Memorial Hospital.  

Dr. McGovern has been qualified as an expert witness by the courts on many occasions.  In both the state and federal courts the cases he has consulted on have addressed many different issues including medical decision-making capacity, guardianship, the ability to stand trial and personal injury.

Click here to read Dr. McGovern's Curriculum Vitae (pdf)