FROM INTERNSHIP TO LEADERSHIP Halfway through her presidency term at FMHCA, Dr. Deirdra SandersBurnett takes us back to her journey from internship to leadership.
Meet Deirdra
Society in Education, Delta Epsilon Iato Academic Honor Society.
Deirdra Sanders-Burnett, Ph.D., L.M.H.C., has dedicated her life to assisting others to develop skills needed to live successful lives and make important choices that affect their lives. Dr. Sanders-Burnett is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Owner of Faith Counseling, LLC, Certified Professional School Counselor, Certified Teacher, Qualified Supervisor for Mental Health Counselor Interns, Adjunct Instructor for the University of South Florida, Regional Positive Behavior Support Facilitator for Polk County Public Schools, and a Florida Supreme Court Family Mediator.
Deirdra has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in school, private practice, and community settings. She also possesses a solid background in education which includes teaching, administration, school counseling providing mental health counseling to students in schools, and administration. As an educator, her focus has been on providing students with academic instruction that she believes allows them to develop professionally, personally, and enrich their social/emotional development. Her work experience includes 38 years of service with Polk County Public Schools. Deirdra has 14 years of experience as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor.
Dr. Sanders-Burnett is a member of several non-profit organizations where she served on various committees in the areas of education, advocacy, public health programs and outreach. Her professional and community affiliations include the Florida Mental Health Counselor Association- President 2021, Sun Coast Mental Health Counselor Association- Past President, American Mental Health Counselor Associationmember, American Counseling Association-member, Florida Counseling Association- Membership Chair, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated, Gamma Phi Zeta Chapter, The Polk County Chapter of the Charmettes, Inc. Vice President. Kappa Delta PI International Honor 28
July 2021 InSession | FMHCA.org
Becoming Dr. SandersBurnett, LMHC Deirdra has always known that she wanted to work the helping profession. Before graduating from BethuneCookman University with a Bachelor of Science in Exceptional Child Education with an Emphasis in Specific Learning Disabilities, Deirdra accepted a position as an Exceptional Student Education Teacher, teaching K-5 students with varying exceptionalities with Polk County Public Schools. After working closely with
the School Counselor and enjoying learning, Deirdra accepted a school counseling position and continued her education resulting in her obtaining a Master of Arts in Special Education and Master of Arts in Guidance & Counselor Education, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction with and emphasis in Counselor Education and Psychology Cognate from the University of South Florida. Deirdra would later work in the capacity of a District level Exceptional Education Staffing Specialist and she now serves her school district as a Regional Positive Behavior Support Facilitator. As Deirdra matriculated at the University of South Florida in College of Education Department of Psychological and Social Foundation of Education Counselor Education Program to become a School Counselor, she was introduced to the field of Mental Health Counseling by Dr. Mary Lou Taylor and Dr. Marti O’Brien. After completing her internship and obtaining licensure, Deirdra accepted a position as the Mental Health Counselor for the Districts’ Alternative Education Program where she later become one of the schools’ Administrators. Deirdra’s passion to serve her community and help people facing mental health issues led her to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and open Faith Counseling LLC, her private practice in 2007.
