Our therapy services can help with
Why Do We Love Helping Gifted Kids?
We want to create a world where kids are happy and confident!
About Our Gifted Kids
We define creative, gifted, and high-performing children as children who enjoy expressing themselves through the arts, academics, or in other ways. We believe that every child has unique talents, skills, or other characteristics that they may choose to share with the world!
The Creatives
Creatives express themselves through the arts. They can be self-critical at times and may have difficulty verbalizing their thoughts and feelings to others.
Click here to learn more about how therapy can help Creatives
The Academically Talented
The Academically Talented may express themselves through their intellect. They exceed academically but can struggle with new challenges and may have difficulty asking for help.
Click here to learn more about how therapy can help the Academically Talented
The Change-Makers
Change-Makers follow their intuition. They boldly question authority and may sometimes be labeled as having behavioral problems. They may be strong advocates for justice and fairness. Change-Makers can be successful by further developing their natural leadership qualities.
Click here to learn more about how therapy can help the Change-Makers
Take The Office Tour
The Therapist
ERICA WHITFIELD, MACP, LMHC, BC-TMH
LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR, EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING SKILLS COACH, 2e GIFTED COACH
Click here to watch Erica's welcome video.
Erica has over 15 years of therapy experience working with children and adolescents and is the Founder of Positive Development.
"When kids feel accepted for who they already are, it is then that they can grow. I started Positive Development to create a space where all gifted, creative, and high-performing kids can feel happy and confident."
Erica Whitfield is a Licensed Mental Health Therapist and author of the book, Effortless Until Now: What to Do When High-Performing Kids Begin Struggling in School. As a past high-performing student throughout her academic career in private school and public magnet school settings, Erica is uniquely positioned to understand and address the challenges faced by gifted, creative, and high-performing kids.
Erica helps kids manage stress and anxiety, improve their organization and executive functioning skills, process difficult life adjustments, form healthier relationships, and perform better in school. Through her extensive history working in schools, the community, and coaching on international platforms, she has helped hundreds of kids unleash their capabilities, transform obstacles into opportunities, and find healthy ways to express their energy and creativity.
Erica has been featured on the podcasts Raising Adults, The Gifted Mind, Adventures in Being Gifted, and the Joyful Courage parent podcast. She has written several parenting articles published by Jacksonville Mom, a large parenting resource in Florida. Erica has created multiple courses and provided specialized training to educate teachers and parents about the mental health needs of gifted and high-performing students. In addition, Erica has taught wellness curriculum internationally to students learning in Australia, Asia, and Europe.
In the future, Erica will host international self-development excursions to help gifted kids explore the world. Erica wants to continue creating safe and innovative spaces so all gifted, creative, and high-performing kids can find happiness and confidence.
Erica has been featured on the following podcasts:
THE MASTERS TEAM!
Sage Harris, MS, BS, Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, B.S. in Clinical Psychology
Click here to watch Sage's welcome video!THE Masters in Training TEAM!
Our university graduate student interns
Eriana Murphy-Trice B.S. in Psychology
Pursuing Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Jacksonville University
Click Eriana's picture to view her welcome videos!
Adalyn Graham, B.S. in Child Psychology
Pursuing Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Jacksonville University
Click Adalyn's picture to view her welcome videos!
Victoria Dunbar, B.S. in Human Services
Pursuing Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
University of North Florida
Click Victoria's picture to view her welcome videos!
Client Reviews:
"Calm, peaceful environment. Friendly staff makes everyone feel safe!"
- A.A.
"Thank you Positive Development for not only being there for our daughter but our entire family. Thank you for being with us in crisis, helping us to build resilience, and your continued guidance with ongoing mental wellness."
-Deborah M.
"Erica really makes us feel like we are being listened too and heard --both myself and my daughter. She helps us better understand, communicate, and share."
-Sam G.
"Erica has been very kind and caring to my daughter. My daughter enjoys going to her sessions and her mindset has improved tremendously!"
- Kendra M.
"My children have a new appreciation for Family Therapy. They do not fear it and realize it is essential for healthy people as well as those suffering from trauma".
- Jennifer P.
"Matt has always been willing to work with us and has been a great help to my son. He is probably the only person that has been able to get him to talk about his mental health. He is very patient and we appreciate his help though all of the tough times we have had recently. He never seems to judge us and is very kind and patient with my family."
- Sara S.