Vision, Mission & Values

Our Founder

Dolores Mortimer was a highly qualified mental health professional, holding two Master’s Degrees: one in Mental Health Counseling/Guidance Counseling and the other in Specific Learning Disabilities. Her vast experience spanned multiple therapeutic settings, including private and public schools, community mental health centers, in-home counseling, and private practice. Specializing in play therapy with children as young as three years old, Dolores employed a range of therapeutic interventions, including cognitive therapy, behavior modification, relationship therapy, psychoeducational therapy, and more, tailored to meet the specific needs of those she served. Her areas of expertise encompassed ADHD, depression, anxiety, adjustment disorder, behavioral challenges, grief, and divorce adjustment.

Besides working directly with individuals and families, Dolores was passionate about educating others in the field of mental and behavioral health. She was an accomplished speaker who presented a variety of mental health topics to parents, professionals, and community members. Her dedication to advancing the field extended to her role as a Registered Play Therapist/Supervisor, a credential she held from the Association of Play Therapy, making her one of the few in the Tampa Bay area qualified to supervise other play therapy professionals. She was also a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors and held a Graduate Certificate in Pastoral Counseling from St. Thomas University. Furthermore, Dolores was credentialed to supervise aspiring Licensed Mental Health Therapists.

The vision for the House of Mercy and Encouragement (HOME) grew from Dolores’ desire to offer children facing emotional, educational, and mental health challenges a nurturing space where they could thrive. With support from her sister, Michael’s mother, who also had extensive experience working with emotionally disturbed children, Dolores opened the wellness center to provide a range of services, including counseling, family therapy, play therapy, tutoring, behavior management, and social skills programs. HOME became a place where children and families were welcomed with open arms, where healing began, and where children were empowered to reach their fullest potential.

Dolores’ heart and unwavering commitment to helping others shaped HOME into the incredible resource it became. The legacy of the boys she lost continues to live on through the countless lives HOME touched. As a mother, a professional, and a servant of God, Dolores Mortimer exemplified the spirit of compassion, hope, and healing, creating a lasting impact on the families she served.

Dolores passed away in February of 2023, but her legacy lives on in the work she began and in the countless lives she touched. She is remembered as a loving wife to her husband, Allen, and a devoted mother to her children. Her love for her family, her faith, and her profession continue to inspire all who knew her.