Kelly E. Turner, LCSW, QS
Email: kturnertampabaydbt@gmail.com
The lead DBT expert at Tampa Bay DBT in Tampa, FL, Kelly E. Turner is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Foundationally trained in DBT in 2004, Kelly was a part of a DBT treatment team at the Retreat at Sheppard Pratt in Baltimore, MD. Kelly has experience working within a hospital setting specializing in treating trauma disorders and children and adolescents in a residential school. She moved to the Tampa area in 2011 and opened Tampa Bay DBT. Since then, she implemented a DBT skills training program in a local residential treatment facility for women, and serves as a board member for the Borderline Personality Disorder Association.
Kelly has been intensively trained in the new evidence-based treatment Radically Open DBT. She has received direct supervision from treatment founder Dr. Thomas Lynch, offers two-hour Intro to RO-DBT lectures for professionals, and has been appointed to an international RO-DBT workgroup for developing treatment adaptations for adolescents.
Kelly has completed the following Behavioral Tech Trainings:
• Skills Training in DBT: The Essentials
• Updates to Emotion Regulation and Crisis Survival Skills in DBT
• DBT for Substance Use Disorders
• DBT for PTSD 2-day Intensive by treatment developer Martin Bohos, MD
• Treating Adolescents with Multiple Problems
• DBT 10 Day Intensive
• Advanced Intensive in DBT
Kelly has completed the following additional trainings:
• Prolonged Exposure Therapy 4 day intensive
• Radically Open – Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Disorders of Over-Control 2 day training
• Radically Open DBT: Intensive Training (10-days)
Ashton Heckmann, LMHC
Email: aheckmanntampabaydbt@gmail.com
Ashton Heckmann is a dedicated and experienced Licensed Mental Health Counselor who is passionate about helping individuals overcome obstacles and achieve their personal goals. She takes pride in providing evidence-based treatment to support meaningful growth and change. Ashton was foundationally trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) in 2018 and achieved the Level 2 training in Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO-DBT) in 2021. She worked for over four years in a DBT partial hospitalization program for adolescents and has been with Tampa Bay DBT since 2021, working with both adolescents and adults. Ashton specializes in treating a wide range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, mood disorders, behavioral and emotional dysregulation, and personality disorders. Her compassionate and skilled approach empowers clients to build resilience and navigate life’s challenges with confidence.
Ashton has attended the following trainings:
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Foundational Training (2018)
- Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy Introductory Training (Level 2)
Allen Jones, LCSW
Email: allenjonestampabaydbt@gmail.com
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I have spent the last eight years working with “at risk” children and adolescents, referred by the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) Diversion programs, I worked with the youths and their families to keep these young individuals from incurring any additional DJJ consequences. In addition, I have worked with Genesis Women’s Clinic to assist ante-partum and post-partum mom’s suffering from Perinatal Mood andAnxiety disorder, and the Family Care Clinic providing Behavioral therapy to families and adults. I believe my overarching therapeutic philosophy matches that of the founder of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Marsha Linehan, I believe every individual deserves. “A life worth living”.
Credentials
I received my 2nd undergraduate degree in 2019 from the University of South Florida, a Bachelor of Arts, in Disciplinary Social Science, and I received my Masters in Social Work (MSW) also from the University of South Florida, in 2021.
Allen Jones has completed the following trainings:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Training: Master the Core Skills and Competencies of CBT 2022
- Pregnancy and Infant Loss: Effective Strategies to Support Grief and Treat Trauma, Anxiety, and Depression in Bereaved Parents 2022
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy Certification Training 2022
Lauri Shannon, LCSW, MCAP
Email: LauriShannonTampaBayDBT@gmail.com
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Master’s Certified Addictions Professional with over 20 years experience specializing in individual therapy for adults and adolescents, inpatient and outpatient. I have a passion for assisting clients with anxiety, depression, life events and trauma. Additionally, I work with families navigating divorce, serve as a Parenting Coordinator, a Guardian Ad Litem, a Certified Divorce Specialist, and Certified Forensic Mental Health Evaluator, and provide the required Florida parenting course. I am passionate about assisting individuals through challenging life situations, employing various techniques to help them understand the origins of their behavior, leading to shifts in their thinking and actions. I am excited to be practicing DBT, which acknowledges the internal struggles that people face and helps them change thought patterns and reprogram their brain by finding and creating balance.
Credentials
- Fundamentals of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Behavioral Tech, 2024
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training, 2021
Dr. Caroline Perjessy, Mental Health Counselor PhD, LPC, LMHC
Email: cperjessytampabaydbt@gmail.com
Dr. Caroline Perjessy obtained an MSED in Community Counseling and Higher Education Student Affairs from Youngstown State University and a PhD in Counseling and Human Development Services from Kent State University, a CACREP-Accredited program, in Kent, Ohio. She is a licensed mental health counselor and a Qualified Supervisor in Florida, and has been a licensed clinician for 15 years. As a counselor, Dr. Perjessy has expertise in working with adults, adolescents, college students, and couples, using Humanistic and DBT approaches in her work. She has training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and conducts DBT groups with adolescents and adults. Thus, her clinical interest areas relate to trauma, career counseling, group work, and women’s issues. Dr. Perjessy has been teaching at the graduate level for over 15 years, in Master’s and Doctoral programs.
Krystle Rinberger, Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
Email: krinbergertampabaydbt@gmail.com
Krystle graduated in 2022 with a master degree in Mental Health Counseling from Wake Forest University.
During school she interned at a hospice organization where she provided individuals and families with grief counseling, as well as facilitated grief therapy for children. She also lead group grief therapy for adults.
Krystle is excited to begin training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, interested in supporting all ages, individuals, couples and families and group work. She is also passionate about helping support people who may be struggling with depression and suicidal ideation, and to support therapy for trauma.
Sierra Shannon, Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern, Clinical Care Coordinator
Email:sshannontampabaydbt@gmail.com
Sierra Shannon graduated from Eastern Virginia Medical School with a Masters in Art Therapy and Counseling. Sierra wanted to gain clinical knowledge and experience in a mental health outpatient practice while pursuing licensure. She oversees the day-to-day operations of Tampa Bay DBT.
Sierra Shannon has completed the following trainings:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Beck Institute 2021
- Emotionally Focus Therapy 2024
Dave, Dogs Inc.
Dave joined Tampa Bay DBT in July 2025. Kelly and her husband Aaron are proud puppy raisers for Dogs Inc. Dave will be with them until mid September 2025 learning all the basic skills he needs before returning to campus for his formal guide dog training. Most days you will see him at the office learning his skills!