Spiritual and psychological counseling is sometimes a necessary part of our spiritual development. All of our counselors are trained professionals. Some of them charge a counseling fee while others accept a love offering. Spiritual and psychological counseling works like so many spiritual laws...what you put into the experience, is what you get back from it.

Linda Carney

Licensed Unity Teacher, as well as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). She has attended First Unity Church since the age of 12, and became a Licensed Unity Teacher at age 23. She has taught classes and done spiritual counseling at First Unity since 1975, and been a frequent guest speaker at Unity churches in the area.

Linda graduated with a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology in 1990, and has been a therapist in the fields of mental health, addictions, and hospice services for 17 years. She works with individual and relationship issues of all kinds, and specializes in finding a spiritual approach to every problem, as well as resolving blocks from the past that interfere with the present. She is in private practice in St. Petersburg. Her website is LindaCarney.net and her profile may be found on psychologytoday.com, under “Find a Therapist.”

For questions, or to schedule an appointment with Linda, call (727) 424-2636 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it her.

Sheila K

Obtained her Master’s degree in her native state in 1983, at University of Illinois; licensed in Clinical Social Work in IL & FL.  Her experience includes mental health, teaching, public speaking, creating private practices in Tampa/St. Pete, and a spiritual healing center while living in Loveland, CO.; additionally, Sheila has served as a counselor with hospice for six years.

Sheila’s intention is to hold sacred space for others, as they awaken to the whispers of their soul and embrace their true spiritual nature as divine expressions. Her counseling focus is to empower, teach, and support individuals in their quest of remembering their wholeness and purpose in this life journey. In addition to traditional clinical training, Sheila has studied complementary modalities, i.e., Reiki, EFT, healing touch, energy medicine, metaphysics, Unity teachings, awareness of the power of flower essence/essential oils, and music/art to further enhance her empowering perspective with clients.

The teachings of Unity have influenced and nourished her growth since 1990, enhanced by a year of learning at Unity Village in 2007. Sheila K, ordained in 1996 through a metaphysical ministry, Angelic Realm, (under the auspices of the Church of the Creator, Ashland, OR), opened her heart to the loving presence of angels yearning to assist us in our life journey. Sheila K has been a member at First Unity since 2005.

For questions, or to schedule an appointment with Sheila, call (727) 498-7528.

Linda Miller

Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). She has over 15 years experience in both private practice and agencies. When she discovered New Thought in 1993, it was a transformational experience for her. She has attended First Unity for over 4 years.

She blends the concepts of New Thought and psychotherapy to help with a variety of life changes, losses, transitions, divorce, anxiety, depression. She can help change unhealthy patterns, habits, beliefs that get in the way of peace of mind. Although Linda’s main office is in Sarasota, she is available for appointments at First Unity, also. Look her up on the internet at www.sarasotatherapist.com.

For questions, or to schedule an appointment, call Linda at (941) 730-5666 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Don Sandin

One of the founders of the Association of Labor Management Administrators and Consultants on Alcoholism (ALMACA) and served on its Board of Directors for five years.  He was National Chairman of a “blue ribbon” committee which developed “Standards for Employee Alcoholism and/or Assistance Programs.”  He was a nationally known speaker and lecturer on alcoholism and EAPs.  He is also a well known motivational speaker and has conducted seminars on Motivation; Creative Visualization; and Self Improvement.

Prior to entering the field of Employee Assistance Programs in 1970, Mr. Sandin, an ordained minister, served as a pastor in Baptist churches for several years. He served as a minister at the Duryea Presbyterian Church, Brooklyn, NY for five years, through 2004.  He was on the pastoral staff at First Presbyterian Church, Brooklyn Heights from 1994 through 2004.

For questions, or to schedule an appointment with Don, please contact him at (727) 894-3864.

David E. Swindall, M.Div. L.M.F.T.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and has been counseling individuals, couples and families for thirty five years.  He received his Master of Divinity degree from Columbia Theological Seminary and brings an understanding of the integration of the psychological and the spiritual aspects of our lives.  David is a Clinical Member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and takes a solution-focused brief therapy approach to counseling.

David served two terms as President of the Pinellas Association of Marriage and Family therapist.  David was the Clinical Director of a drug treatment program where he learned the effects of addictions in people’s lives and their families and how to address this.  David is a Clinical Member and serves on the Board of Directors of the Florida Society of Clinical Hypnosis and uses hypnosis for a variety of issues including smoking and weight control, pain management, panic attack, and depression. Since 1988 David has been certified as a Batterers Intervention Provider and deals with anger and abuse in families. Recently David has incorporated Energy Psychology into his practice.

David’s practice is based on his belief that we are all connected to one another and to the Divine Source.

For questions, or to schedule an appointment with David, please call (727) 544-9305.