Dr. Ellis is a licensed Christian Counselor with a Ph. D in Clinical Christian Counseling. He is board certified by the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) and the National Christian Counselors Association (NCCA). He is also a member of Sarasota Academy of Christian Counselors (SACC). He is an Advanced Certified Temperament Therapy Counselor and uses the Arno Profile System in his counseling to help individuals understand their unique creation by God. He also holds a Masters of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Ellis has served local churches in a variety of positions as associate pastor, music pastor, missions pastor, executive pastor, and discipleship pastor for the last 40 years.

Motivated by a strong desire to help individuals understand and apply the freedom we have in Christ, Dr. Ellis founded Open Door Biblical Counseling Center in 2006. He is also passionate about assisting pastors and churches in bearing the load of counseling and discipleship. As a husband, father, grandfather, pastor, veteran, and businessman, Dr. Ellis understands that life can be difficult…but that God is the Great Physician who brings healing and victory through our surrender to His incredible plan and purpose for our lives.

 Sheryl came to Open Door Biblical Counseling Center as an individual in need of God’s healing touch through the biblical counseling process. As Sheryl began to understand and apply biblical principles to difficult situations in her life, she experienced what freedom in Christ means. Passionate to share this understanding with others, Sheryl began training as a Christian counselor and now holds Bachelors, Master of Arts, and Ph.D. degrees in Clinical Christian Counseling. She is also certified in the following areas: Temperament Therapy, Crisis and Abuse Therapy, Child and Adolescent Therapy, Substance Abuse and Addiction Therapy, Death and Grief Therapy, Domestic Violence and Intervention Therapy, and Sexual Therapy. A common issue that she sees in many of these difficulties is anxiety and depression. She is an active member of the National Christian Counselors Association (NCCA), the Sarasota Academy of Christian Counseling (SACC), and the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC). As a licensed Christian counselor, she has had the privilege of counseling numerous couples, women, teens, and children through Open Door Biblical Counseling Center.

Sheryl has been married to Eddie Burdette for over 40 years and is a mother and grandmother. She also has 24 years experience in the medical industry and holds an Associate Degree in Radiological Technology. She has served in various church leadership roles. She has a deep desire to share Jesus with others through her counseling ministry and with those whom she encounters in her every day life.

 Brenda serves as the Chief Administrative Officer for Open Door Biblical Counseling Center. She has been married to Dr. Ellis for over 45 years and is a mother, grandmother, and retired teacher. She has a God given desire to help hurting people and is usually your first contact with Open Door Biblical Counseling Center. Brenda is always happy to answer questions you may have about Open Door, and she will be glad to schedule an appointment for you with one of our counselors if you so desire. Brenda is passionate about her role as a wife, mother, and grandmother, and about bringing glory and honor to our Lord Jesus Christ through her life.