Meet Our Team

Location: Tinlin House, 65 Valencia Street

Amanda Elyse Bleak is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Director of the Flagler College Counseling Center. She joined us from UF Health St. Johns, formerly Flagler Hospital, where she passionately served patients in crisis in the Emergency Department and Behavioral Health Unit. She brings more than 15 years of experience working with individuals and families with a wide range of mental health concerns, as well as sexual abuse survivors. Her clinical experience includes supporting individuals through crisis, trauma, and significant life transitions—experience that she brings to her work with Flagler College students.

Amanda specializes in trauma while utilizing evidence-based practices, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and is certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). Other areas of interest and expertise include anxiety & depression, blended family dynamics, ADHD, self-harm & suicidal ideation, spirituality, personality disorders, and the Baker Act & Marchman Act processes. She is particularly passionate about helping college students navigate the emotional, relational, and personal challenges that can impact their well-being and academic experience.

Amanda earned her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, and her Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida. She is licensed to practice in the state of Florida. She is a Qualified Supervisor for registered interns seeking licensure and oversees the counseling center’s master's level internship program. She is grateful to support and train the next generation of therapists while supporting students as they work toward healing, growth, and resolution.

JoAnne Jo Jo Maffia has degrees in advising, music education, and the arts. Their experiences in higher education, K-12 education (NYC), and the arts intersect to foster and enrich their holistic, proactive, developmental, and culturally responsive approach as an advisor, educator, and artist. 

JoAnne is a passionate and empathetic advocate for marginalized communities within and beyond educational institutions. JoAnne is a multi-award-winning artist and activist with extensive experience teaching across educational institutions, age groups, and learning styles. JoAnne is excited to join the Health & Wellness team as the Director of Case Management, Outreach & Education. 

For more information, check out JoAnne's site, www.refoundsound.com.

Location: Tinlin House, 65 Valencia Street

Rob received his Bachelor of Science degree from Southeastern University and his Master of Science degree in Counseling from Nova Southeastern University in 2022. He is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida and has experience working with adolescents and young adults in hospital, academic, and outpatient settings.

In a college counseling setting, Rob works with students as they navigate the unique challenges of college life, including academic and social pressures, anxiety, ADHD, OCD, trauma, relationships, adjustment, identity development, and major life transitions. He understands that college can be a time of significant growth and opportunity, while also bringing new expectations, responsibilities, and stressors.

Rob takes a collaborative, individualized approach to counseling, drawing from evidence-based practices including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness-based interventions, and solution-focused therapy. His approach is tailored to each student's unique needs, experiences, and goals, with an emphasis on practical strategies, increased self-awareness, and meaningful progress. His style is supportive, honest, and approachable, while also encouraging students to develop greater confidence, accountability, and skills for managing challenges effectively.

Rob strives to create a welcoming, nonjudgmental environment where students feel comfortable being themselves, exploring their experiences, and working toward meaningful goals. His goal is to help students build confidence, strengthen their emotional well-being, develop healthy relationships, and feel better equipped to navigate both college and the transition into life beyond it.