New Heights Counseling & Consulting, LLC

New Heights Counseling & Consulting, LLC Enhancing people's lives for more than 20 years with individual, couples, and family counseling for anxiety, trauma, depression, and addiction recovery.

Services include counseling, consulting, and coaching.

Did you know that Dr. Dorothea Dix (1802–1887) was one of the first major advocates for mental health reform in the Unit...
11/04/2025

Did you know that Dr. Dorothea Dix (1802–1887) was one of the first major advocates for mental health reform in the United States?

Before her work, people struggling with mental illness were often kept in prisons or poorhouses with no treatment or compassion. Dorothea Dix spent years documenting these conditions and urging lawmakers to make change. Her dedication led to the creation of 32 state psychiatric hospitals and completely transformed how society viewed mental health care.

Because of her, the belief that people with mental illness deserve care, dignity, and understanding became a foundation of modern psychology.

Today, every counselor, therapist, and mental health professional continues that legacy. The work done in this field changes lives, offers hope, and reminds people that healing is possible when someone truly cares. 💙

11/03/2025

Please call 850-757-9444 to get started today

Wishing you a Happy Halloween from all of us!May your day be filled with smiles, fun surprises, and time to enjoy the li...
10/31/2025

Wishing you a Happy Halloween from all of us!
May your day be filled with smiles, fun surprises, and time to enjoy the little moments that make this season special.

Anxiety is more than simply feeling nervous. It is a physiological and psychological response designed to protect us. Wh...
10/29/2025

Anxiety is more than simply feeling nervous.

It is a physiological and psychological response designed to protect us. When the brain perceives danger, the amygdala activates the body’s stress response.

Heart rate increases, breathing quickens, and muscles tense as the body prepares to react. This “fight, flight, or freeze” reaction helps us survive short-term threats, but when it becomes constant, it can begin to disrupt daily life.

Chronic anxiety can appear in many ways, including:

Constant overthinking or racing thoughts
Restlessness or irritability
Muscle tension, headaches, or stomach issues
Difficulty concentrating or sleeping
Avoiding situations that trigger worry

Recognizing these signs is the first step toward managing them. Therapy, mindfulness, exercise, and healthy routines can help retrain the brain’s response to stress and restore balance to the nervous system.

Give us a call at 850-757-9444 to start your healing journey today

We talk a lot about productivity, deadlines, meetings, and results.But how often do we stop and ask how we’re really doi...
10/27/2025

We talk a lot about productivity, deadlines, meetings, and results.
But how often do we stop and ask how we’re really doing?

Mental health is not just about big moments or crisis points.
It is also about noticing when you feel drained, when your thoughts feel cluttered, or when your patience is thin.

If that sounds like you today, take a moment to breathe. Step away from your screen.
Stretch. Drink some water. Pray. Walk outside.
You are not lazy for needing rest. You are human.

A healthy mind supports a healthy life. Your work, relationships, and peace all benefit when you take care of yourself.

Check in with yourself today. You matter too.

We are excited to introduce Shaun Wenner, Co-Owner of New Heights Counseling in Fort Walton Beach. With a strong backgro...
10/24/2025

We are excited to introduce Shaun Wenner, Co-Owner of New Heights Counseling in Fort Walton Beach.

With a strong background in Organizational Leadership, Shaun plays an essential role in guiding the operations that keep our practice running smoothly behind the scenes. His leadership ensures that our administrative team and therapists are supported in providing the highest level of care to every client we serve.

Shaun is passionate about building a counseling practice that reflects excellence, compassion, and integrity. His strategic vision and dedication to continual growth help New Heights Counseling maintain its reputation as a trusted place for healing and transformation in the Fort Walton Beach community and beyond.

With a steady focus on both people and purpose, Shaun works tirelessly to create an environment where our team can thrive and where clients can find the support they need to reach new heights in their mental health and overall well-being.

We’re excited to introduce Colleen Wenner, our Founder and Clinical Director at New Heights Counseling. With over 30 yea...
10/23/2025

We’re excited to introduce Colleen Wenner, our Founder and Clinical Director at New Heights Counseling.

With over 30 years of experience in the mental health field, Colleen’s passion for helping others runs deep. She has built a practice founded on compassion, integrity, and a genuine desire to see people find healing and hope.

Colleen’s journey began on a small Midwest farm, where traditional values often meant emotions were kept quiet and resilience was expected. Through her own life experiences, she learned the importance of being truly heard and understood. That realization inspired her to dedicate her life to helping others do the same.

For three decades, Colleen has walked alongside clients, colleagues, and clinicians with empathy and authenticity. She knows that finding the right therapist and beginning the process of change can feel intimidating, which is why New Heights Counseling was built to be a place of trust, safety, and care.

She has carefully selected a team of highly skilled clinicians who share her mission of helping others rise to new heights in their mental health and personal growth.

In addition to leading the practice, Colleen provides business consulting for clinicians and private practice owners, offering CEU-approved training, personalized mentorship, and practical tools for success.

As a Qualified Supervisor in Florida, she supports pre-licensed clinicians as they grow into confident professionals. She is also an EMDR Consultant, helping other therapists strengthen their skills and gain certification in this transformative therapeutic approach.

Colleen’s goal, whether she is guiding clients, mentoring therapists, or consulting with business owners, is simple: to help others succeed, heal, and thrive.

We are deeply grateful for Colleen’s leadership, her unwavering compassion, and the vision she has poured into every part of New Heights Counseling.

We’re excited to introduce Jordan Ramos, a Master’s Level Graduate Student currently completing her SkillBridge program ...
10/22/2025

We’re excited to introduce Jordan Ramos, a Master’s Level Graduate Student currently completing her SkillBridge program with New Heights Counseling.

As part of her training, Jordan is gaining hands-on experience supporting our administrative and client care processes, helping ensure that every client feels welcomed, supported, and connected to the care they need.

Jordan currently serves in the United States Army and is preparing to transition into her next chapter as a mental health therapist. Her dedication to service, strong work ethic, and compassion for others shine through in everything she does. Whether assisting clients, coordinating services, or helping the team behind the scenes, Jordan approaches every task with diligence and care.

At New Heights Counseling, Jordan plays a key role in helping clients begin their journey toward wellness by providing the same warmth and support that define our practice. Her experience in the military and passion for helping others make her a natural fit for the counseling field, and we’re honored to be part of her journey.

We’re so grateful to have Jordan on our team. Her professionalism, compassion, and commitment to excellence make her an invaluable part of the New Heights family.

We’re excited to introduce Whitnie, our dedicated Client Care Coordinator at New Heights Counseling. When you call for y...
10/21/2025

We’re excited to introduce Whitnie, our dedicated Client Care Coordinator at New Heights Counseling.

When you call for your free 15-minute consultation, Whitnie is the one you’ll speak with. She’ll help guide you to the counselor who best fits your needs and make the process of beginning counseling simple, supportive, and stress-free.

A graduate of The University of North Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication, Whitnie’s professional background spans early childhood education to working with cancer patients in the medical field. Her passion for helping people from all walks of life shines through in every conversation.

At New Heights Counseling, Whitnie coordinates services, manages client inquiries, and ensures that every client has a positive experience from the first contact through the completion of treatment.

With her strong background in customer service and her genuine care for others, she helps create a welcoming and compassionate environment for all who reach out.

We’re so grateful to have Whitnie on our team. Her kindness, professionalism, and commitment to helping others make her an essential part of the New Heights experience.

We are proud to introduce Kay Jackson, a Master’s Level Graduate Student supervised by licensed therapists. Kay brings a...
10/17/2025

We are proud to introduce Kay Jackson, a Master’s Level Graduate Student supervised by licensed therapists.

Kay brings authenticity, compassion, and strength to her work, offering clients a safe space to process, heal, and grow.

Kay’s path to counseling was deeply personal. Growing up in a Hispanic household where therapy wasn’t an option, she faced challenges that shaped her understanding of resilience and empathy.

Her experiences inspired her to become the kind of counselor she once needed. Someone who listens without judgment, believes in her clients, and helps them find hope even in difficult seasons.

Over the past few years, Kay has worked with individuals from all walks of life, including those in private practice, county jails, and addiction recovery programs. She helps clients navigate grief, anger, trauma, and relationship challenges through a compassionate, culturally sensitive, and strength-based approach.

Kay’s clients often describe her as someone who truly listens, cares deeply, and creates a safe environment for healing. Her approach centers on helping individuals recognize the resilience within themselves and empowering them to make meaningful change, one step at a time.

We’re grateful to have Kay on our team. Her warmth, authenticity, and heart for helping others shine through in every session she leads.

If you’ve been feeling alone, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start, Kay is here to walk alongside you. Reach out today to schedule a session and take the next step toward healing.850-757-9444

We are excited to introduce Maddie Locht, a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern who brings warmth, insight, and pa...
10/14/2025

We are excited to introduce Maddie Locht, a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern who brings warmth, insight, and passion to her work with clients.

Maddie is clinically supervised by Colleen Wenner, LMHC, and is dedicated to helping individuals understand themselves more deeply and find lasting healing through self-awareness and growth.

Maddie works primarily from a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) perspective, helping clients explore how their thoughts shape emotions and behaviors—and how shifting those patterns can lead to meaningful change.

She has experience working with adults in residential treatment, including active-duty military members, veterans, first responders, and individuals navigating trauma, substance use, and other mental health challenges.

Maddie specializes in:
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• Complex Trauma and Trauma-Focused Care
• Grief, Substance Use, and Interpersonal Issues
• Mindfulness-Based (MBCT), Strength-Based, and Person-Centered Modalities

Having grown up in a military community, Maddie has a deep appreciation for the unique experiences of service members and their families. She strives to create a safe, supportive space where every client feels understood, empowered, and capable of change.

We’re proud to have Maddie as part of our team. Her compassion, skill, and dedication to her clients’ growth make her an invaluable part of our mission to provide exceptional care and support.

Interested in working with Maddie or learning more about our counseling services? Contact us today at 850-757-9444 to schedule a session.

We are honored to introduce Caleb Bailey, a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern, and his trusted service dog, Bell...
10/13/2025

We are honored to introduce Caleb Bailey, a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern, and his trusted service dog, Bell.

Together, they bring compassion, strength, and understanding to the counseling room.

Caleb is a United States Marine Corps veteran whose service inspired his passion for mental health. After witnessing firsthand the impact of trauma on service members and their families, he pursued careers in both Clinical Counseling and Ministry and Theology, earning master’s degrees in each field.

With over two years of experience working with veterans, first responders, and their families, Caleb is dedicated to helping clients heal and grow through an integrative, client-centered approach.

Caleb specializes in:
• EMDR (Level 2) and Trauma-Focused Care
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• Complex Trauma, Substance Use, and Mood Disorders
• Couples and Family Therapy
• Military and First Responder Mental Health

Alongside Caleb is Bell, a service dog with AKC Level 1 and 2 certifications and over four years of experience supporting Caleb and assisting in clinical settings. Trained through a local non-profit that pairs veterans with service dogs, Bell’s calm and comforting presence offers an added sense of security and warmth for clients.

She is as loyal and gentle as she is skilled and always ready to lend a paw when needed.

We are deeply grateful to have Caleb and Bell as part of our team. Their shared dedication to creating a safe, supportive environment makes them a powerful duo in the journey toward healing.

Interested in learning more or scheduling a session with Caleb (and maybe a hello from Bell)? Contact us today at 850-757-9444

Address

1992 Lewis Turner Boulevard, Suite 1057
Fort Walton Beach, FL
32547

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+18507571552

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