about destin counseling center

The Destin Counseling Center has been serving families on the Emerald Coast since 1982. Founded by Randell R Brooke, Ph.D. , Licensed Marriage and Family and Licensed Mental Health Counselor, he was joined by Lyle Sandquist, PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in 1987. Valerie Peterson, Licensed Mental Health Counselor joined the practice in 2009 and Eleanor Zimmerman, Ed. D, Licensed Psychologist joined in 2018. 

Their efforts to provide quality services in our community spread throughout the entire panhandle and evolved into a reputable long standing provider of mental health care services. With offices on Mountain Drive in Destin and expanding to Miramar Beach in 2000, the experience and maturity of the practice included a long history of gifted and now retired therapists which included Linda Buckland, Licensed Mental Health Counselor of 31 years, Dr. Jack Keller, who served clients through his 89th birthday and Jacquie Arnott who provided administrative support for over 20 years.

Diana Sandevski, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, transitioned in the leadership and ownership of the practice in 2023. Waithira Wanyee Hansen, Licensed Mental Health Counselor joined in 2023, Beverly McManus, Licensed Mental Health Counselor joined in 2025 and our wonderful office manager Danielle Cahill joined with us in 2024. The practice consists of individual, couples, marital, family, substance abuse, adolescent, veterans, and Christian counseling. We continue to grow as a practice and to serve our community with the same integrity that brought us here today.