Emilio A. Yonta
PhD, LICSW, CAP
Emilio currently is an independent behavioral health contractor with Carelon Behavioral Health providing Employee Assistance Programing (EAP) for Boeing in Huntsville, AL. Additionally, Emilio provided EAP counseling services for the church he attends in Huntsville, AL, which employs over 90 pastors and support staff. In 2004, Emilio completed his doctorate degree in The Philosophy of Christian Counseling from International Seminary in Plymouth, FL. Emilio earned his master's in clinical social work degree from Barry University in Miami Shores, Miami, FL in 1981.
Emilio retired from the department of defense in 2019 after 8.5 years of service with the Department of the Army having his duty station at Fort Campbell, KY. While at Fort Campbell, Emilio was assigned as a clinical supervisor with the Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) and in his last four years, he was embedded with 101st Combat Aviation Brigade as a behavioral health provider. While at Fort Campbell, Emilio graduated from Leadership Fort Campbell in 2012. Prior to his service with the DOD, Emilio owned and operated a full-service counseling practice in Port Orange, FL for 21 years. In addition to providing a wide range of mental health, behavioral health, marriage and family counseling services in his private practice, Emilio also consulted with the Volusia County schools substance abuse department and supervised their counselors. Emilio was also a consultant to the Daytona Beach police, and fire departments providing Critical Incident Debriefings as needed and rode along with law enforcement as desired. Prior to opening his private counseling practice in April of 1990, Emilio was employed with ACT Corporation, a Community Mental Health Clinic for the Greater Daytona Beach area serving in a variety position including Director of Youth Alternatives- a emergency shelter for runaway teens and an emergency shelter for adolescents needing foster placement. Emilio also served as the Director of Emergency Services for the community mental health center providing 24/7 emergency services, psychiatric triage and emergency and community mobile interventions as needed, coordinating these interventions with the local hospital, law enforcement and EMS services. During his 44-year career Emilio has also been an Adjunct professor at Daytona Beach Community College, St. Leo’s University, and Indiana Wesleyan University.
In 1984, he and his wife were founding members of the Living Word Assembly of God Church in Port Orange, FL and later the Rock Church as part of an independent nondenominational. While serving in this church for approximately 17 years, Emilio and his wife held different offices and ministry roles, These included assisting in starting and maintaining the children's ministry, youth, and college and career ministry. They also served in the capacity of elders and deacons. While doing youth ministry, their focus was on outdoor and wilderness experiences. They developed a team of leaders and helpers that would assist with outdoor adventures such as multiple day canoeing the Peace River in Southwest Florida having to primitive camp the trip.
Emilio has been married to Donna for 48 years and they have one daughter and three grandchildren. Emilio and Donna have made their home in Huntsville, AL to be near family and participate in their grandchildren's lives and activities. Together, they are active in their church's life group ministry, Men's Breakfast ministry, and other leadership roles as needed or required.