Meet the Team
Christy Hinnant
A licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Florida, who brings a unique perspective to the field.
Certified as a Clinical Trauma Professional and a 200-level yoga instructor, Christy is not your typical therapist. Her passion lies in helping individuals who have experienced trauma, suffer from PTSD, served in the military, or find themselves trapped in a constant state of fear.
Drawing from her own experiences as an 8-year Army Veteran, Christy understands firsthand the challenges you face. She recognizes the feelings of hopelessness, living on edge, and constantly looking over your shoulder. But she firmly believes that life doesn't have to be a never-ending struggle. You deserve to experience joy, happiness, and trust in your life. You deserve to wake up in the morning with a sense of excitement for the day ahead and hope for the future.
As your guide on the healing journey, Christy is dedicated to equipping you with coping techniques to fill your toolbox and regain control of your life. With expertise in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, trauma-focused therapy, mindfulness, and mind-body practices, she combines a holistic approach to address issues such as anxiety, abuse, meditation and mindfulness, stress, trauma, PTSD, harassment, and military/veteran issues.
In Christy's care, you'll find a compassionate and understanding ally who will walk beside you every step of the way. She believes in empowering individuals to reclaim their lives and offers a safe space for healing and growth. With her guidance, you can overcome the challenges that have held you back and build a future filled with possibility and fulfillment.
Take the first step towards a life of well-being and reach out to Christy Hinnant at Pursuing Wellness. Together, you'll embark on a transformative journey toward healing, resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Emma Martin
A passionate life coach at Pursuing Wellness, dedicated to helping individuals unleash their full potential and embrace personal growth and development.
With a deep understanding of human nature and a genuine desire to see others thrive, Emma specializes in assisting individuals in setting personal goals, exploring new interests, and challenging themselves intellectually.
With a solid educational background, Emma holds a BS in Religion and a minor in Ministries and Ethics from Liberty University. Currently, she is actively pursuing her credentials for the International Coaching Federation (ICF) through the esteemed CCE (Center for Coaching Excellence): Essential Coach Training Program. This comprehensive program entails 64 coach-specific training hours, covering essential training, as well as associate courses on Ethics and Risk Management for Coaches, and Advanced Coaching Skills.
Emma firmly believes in the power of aligning with one's values, passions, and purpose in life. Through her coaching, she empowers individuals to discover their unique qualities and strengths while nurturing their spiritual beliefs and practices. By guiding her clients on a transformative journey of self-discovery, Emma enables them to lead fulfilling lives filled with meaning and personal fulfillment.
If you're ready to embark on a journey of personal growth, unlock your true potential, and live a purpose-driven life, Emma Martin is the dedicated life coach who will be by your side, offering unwavering support and empowering guidance every step of the way.
Jesse Hinnant
The Operations Lead, dedicated to building strong organizations, fostering meaningful connections, and creating opportunities for personal and community growth.
Jesse brings more than 20 years of leadership, operations, and organizational development experience from his military and professional career. After retiring from the United States Army as a Master Sergeant (E8), he earned his MBA from the University of Tampa with a concentration in Nonprofit Management and now oversees the operations, strategic growth, and community partnerships that support both Pursuing Wellness and V.O.I.C.E.S. Against Sexual Assault.
Throughout his military career, Jesse served in leadership, human resources, recruiting, and operational roles, supporting high-performing teams in demanding environments. Today, he applies those experiences to strengthening organizations, building community partnerships, and creating opportunities for individuals to grow both personally and professionally.
In addition to his operational leadership, Jesse leads Men In Pursuit, a Pursuing Wellness program designed to help men build stronger relationships, develop greater self-awareness, and pursue growth through connection, accountability, and the seven pillars of wellness. He believes meaningful relationships, honest conversations, and living with purpose can have a lasting impact on overall well-being and is passionate about creating spaces where people feel supported, challenged, and encouraged to become the best version of themselves.
Gianna Malcolm-Lavalais
A Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern in Florida, passionate about supporting children, adolescents, and adults as they navigate life's challenges and move toward healing and personal growth.
Gianna has a special interest in helping children and teens develop emotional regulation skills, address behavioral concerns, build healthy coping strategies, and strengthen their confidence. She understands that beginning counseling can feel vulnerable and overwhelming. That's why she prioritizes creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered. Using a trauma-informed and collaborative approach, she meets each client where they are, tailoring treatment to their unique strengths, experiences, and goals.
As clients move through their healing journey, Gianna is committed to helping them build resilience, develop practical tools for lasting change, and gain confidence in themselves. She believes every individual deserves compassionate support and that healing looks different for everyone. Gianna provides a welcoming space where clients can explore challenges, discover their strengths, and take meaningful steps toward emotional wellness and personal growth.
Ashley Kempka
A Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern in Florida, specializing in Trauma, Abuse, and Deprivation. She is passionate about helping individuals and families heal from life's challenges by providing compassionate guidance in a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment.
Ashley understands that beginning counseling can feel especially difficult for those who have experienced trauma, abuse, neglect, or relational pain. She meets each client where they are, creating space for their story while helping them identify patterns, develop healthy coping strategies, and reconnect with their sense of self. Her approach is grounded in trauma-informed care, self-compassion, and the belief that healing happens at a pace that feels safe and manageable.
Ashley believes every person deserves the opportunity to heal, grow, and discover their strengths. Through empathy, authenticity, and collaboration, she helps clients build self-awareness, strengthen relationships, and create meaningful, lasting change. Ashley is committed to building trusting therapeutic relationships that empower clients to pursue emotional wellness, resilience, and a more fulfilling life.
Lynsey Holtsinger
A SOMA Breathwork Facilitator who discovered the power of breath in her own healing journey and now helps others use it to find balance, clarity, and calm.
Lynsey discovered the power of breath and its role in regulating the nervous system while navigating her own healing journey. By incorporating breathwork into her daily routine, she found that she was able to reduce stress and anxiety while gaining greater mental clarity and focus.
Lynsey received her breathwork instructor certification through SOMA Breath, an international breathwork organization that combines ancient breathing practices with modern music and visualization techniques.
She is currently studying to become an Advanced Breathwork Instructor through SOMA Breath, expanding her training to include neurosomatic programming techniques designed to help individuals overcome limiting beliefs, regulate emotions, and support healing.
Lynsey is delighted to be part of the Pursuing Wellness team and strongly believes that combining breathwork, life coaching, and therapy can help individuals pursue greater balance, joy, and overall well-being.