.png)
Catholic Noles Launches
Mental Health Therapist Referral Network
Over the last decade—and particularly in the past five years—college students have experienced significantly higher rates of stress, anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts, while overall mental well-being has notably declined (American College Health Association, 2024). The demand for mental health services has surged, yet access remains spotty. At Catholic Noles, we’re proactively stepping into this critical gap.​
Catholic Noles alumni Robert and Kelly Mayor have returned to support students through a growing network of mental health therapists, offering trusted, faith-informed care for the unique challenges of college life.
​
When Robert and Kelly Mayor were students at Florida State University, Catholic Student Union was more than just a ministry—it was their spiritual home. Kelly, a cradle Catholic and social work major, found community and spiritual growth through retreats and Wednesday night gatherings. Robert, who grew up outside the Church, found faith, friendship, and ultimately baptism through CSU’s ministry.
Now, over a decade later, the Mayors return as licensed therapists and founders of Mayor Mental Health, integral partners in Catholic Noles’ new Therapist Referral Network.
Kelly and Robert’s path to a career in faith-based mental wellness was shaped by both calling and lived experience. After earning her degree, Kelly gained valuable experience in nonprofit roles, caregiving, and online therapy before launching her full-time private practice.
​
This decision followed ethical conflicts she encountered working for large online therapy platforms, where secular expectations of the profession sometimes clashed with her values. “I knew I wanted to help people,” Kelly explained. “But I wanted to do it authentically, in a space where I could bring my full Catholic identity.”
Robert’s journey toward mental health began while staffing Operation Purple camps, serving children of deployed military members. There, he witnessed firsthand how repeated deployments fractured families and left deep emotional wounds in children. With strengthened faith and growing conviction, Robert discerned God’s call to help others heal—particularly through a faith-informed lens.
​
Through their practice, the Mayors and their team now provide individual therapy addressing anxiety, OCD, depression, trauma, postpartum challenges, relationship issues, sexual integrity, and more. Their client-centered and flexible approach includes virtual sessions statewide and in-person visits at their Fort Walton Beach office. For Catholic clients seeking faith integration, therapeutic methods may include encouraging prayer, confession, and the rosary when desired and appropriate.
“We’re not here to preach or push our religion on clients at all,” Robert emphasizes. “But for students who are Catholic or exploring faith, it’s powerful to have a therapist who respects their beliefs and won’t recommend strategies that conflict with their values.”
​
The Therapist Referral Network, launched in Spring 2024, is a response to a growing need: college students facing rising levels of mental health challenges, seeking support that doesn’t compromise their values.
​
In addition to the Mayors, the network currently includes several other Catholic and Christian faith-informed therapists that share a values-based approach to mental health and accept a variety of insurance options.
Each therapist brings a unique set of specialties, locations, and payment models—ensuring students can find care that fits their needs, faith, and budget.
​
“We’re passionate about reaching students early—helping them build resilience and develop healthy coping tools before challenges snowball,” Kelly says. “Sometimes it’s just about helping them feel seen and understood.”
​
Kelly and Robert emphasize that seeking therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness.
“There’s no judgment in our office,” Kelly says. “We’re chill, we’re honest, and we’re here to listen. It’s not about telling you what to do—it’s about walking with you as you work toward your own goals.”
Robert adds:
​
"There’s been such a stigma surrounding mental health, but it truly is okay to pause, take a knee, and ask for help. In our practice, we meet each person exactly where they are, with the compassion and love that Christ teaches us. We promise to walk alongside you transparently, compassionately, and lovingly throughout the entire process."
​
The Mayors encourage students to see therapy as one part of holistic health—just like exercise, prayer, or eating well.
​
“God made us body, mind, and spirit,” Robert says. “We’re here to support all of that.”
To those who support Catholic Noles, Robert offers heartfelt gratitude and encouragement:
“You’re not just funding programs—you’re helping students become whole. And you’re making it possible for them to find support that won’t lead them away from their faith, but deeper into it.”
​
The Mayors joined the referral network just as the 2025 spring semester ended and look forward to serving more students as the fall semester begins. Historically, they’ve seen an increase in counseling referrals around midterms, when homesickness, stress, and academic pressure take hold.
​
For Kelly and Robert, this new chapter feels like a God-given mission.
“It’s come full circle,” Kelly reflects. “CSU formed us. Now we get to help form others—not just in faith, but in healing.”