Find a Therapist in Lakewood Ranch, FL

Children and teens do not always have the words to explain what they are feeling, and sometimes their behavior communicates what they cannot yet say. My approach is warm, patient, and tailored to each young person’s age, personality, and needs. I focus on creating a comfortable space where children and teens can express themselves without feeling judged or pressured. Together, we work on understanding emotions, building coping skills, improving communication, and developing greater confidence. I also recognize how important parents and caregivers are in this process. When appropriate, I offer guidance and support that helps families better understand what their child may be experiencing and how to encourage progress outside of sessions. Whether your child is struggling with anxiety, emotional regulation, self-esteem, life changes, relationships, or feeling overwhelmed, we can begin by helping them feel safe, seen, and understood.

Are you finding yourself waking up in the morning and wondering how you’re going to get out of bed? As you go through your day, do you feel empty or overwhelmed? Life can be difficult, and we can find ourselves overwhelmed by our stressors and our past. We want to feel safe, but often we feel like we don’t belong, and no one understands what we’re experiencing. At the end of the day, most of us just want someone we can depend on, and a space where we can catch our breath. If you feel this way, reach out to me. Together, we can work on processing your feelings and creating a fun, safe space where you can heal. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Florida with 11 years of experience. I have assisted many people who have experienced trauma by using trauma-focused therapies, as well as unconventional practices like superhero therapy. I am also certified as a sex therapist through the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (MSTI) and the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT). I work with my clients to make sense of their experiences in a nonjudgmental, safe, boundary-setting environment. The therapeutic setting can model healthy relationships, with feedback and humor tailored to each client to help sessions flow well. I am a mother, a wife, a survivor, and like you, I am flawed. Each of us is on a journey of self-growth and discovery, and I would love to be a part of yours.

I believe that good therapy always starts with a trusting relationship where you can be heard and be free of judgment. You can expect that your treatment will be customized to your specific needs, strengths, and concerns and will occur in an environment that feels safe and comfortable. There are many reasons someone may choose to enter therapy. Some may want to improve their mood or reduce their tendency to worry. Others may need help adjusting to loss or enduring significant changes in life such as retirement, divorce, changing careers, becoming a new parent, or relocation. Still, others are hoping to improve their overall psychological well-being. Some people may desire a safe place where they can build an understanding of their emotional experiences or feel supported in a private setting. Whatever your reason for seeking treatment, it is important to find a therapist with whom you feel comfortable. I utilize an evidence-informed approach to treatment that employs multiple strategies to adjust burdensome thoughts andor behaviors that keep you from feeling your best.

Many of us are not aware of how our upbringing and family dynamics are impacting our present life. We inherit more than just the physical appearance from our parents and family members. We inherit our generation's dysfunctional boundaries, poor communication skills, traumas, parenting style, and much more. We are affected not only by the way we think and respond, but by our environment and current family dynamics. Learning how to set healthy boundaries and functional communication skills can be very challenging if done without professional help. Life-stages come with its challenges but they also come with opportunity for growth. My specialty is Marriage & Family Therapy. Marriage and Family are such a strong component in our lives, that when their stability is threatened by an affair, divorce, family loss, mental illness, parenting issues, etc. we may feel lost and in despair. My goal is to help couples, families, and individuals build healthier relationships and functional lifestyles. I know how hard it can be to have hope & strength during moments of distress. Psychotherapy will provide you with a safe place free of judgment and criticism. You'll receive more than strategies and techniques suited to your specific needs. You'll also receive my unconditional positive regard, empathy, compassion, and genuine understanding of your pain.

My name is Michelle and I would like to welcome you to a journey of self discovery and improvement. Reaching out for help is often the first and most difficult step to initiating change in our lives but I?m so glad that you are here! I?m originally from New York which was where I received my Bachelors in Psychology and Masters in Social Work and I am now a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Florida with over 13 years of experience working as a psychotherapist. I work with clients with a wide range of struggles including depression, anxiety, fertility issues, relationship issues, grief and those who have experienced trauma. I also help many first responders who witnessed multiple traumatic events as part of their work and helped them to improve their ability to cope with such exposure and remaining memories. In addition, I work with those struggling with adjusting to change, whether it is moving to a new area, new work position or dealing with a health issue (for example, Infertility, Diabetes, High blood pressure). I truly enjoy working with people to help them process, address and overcome their struggles. Overall, I curtail my approach to the individual needs of my clients, utilizing a Solution Focused and Cognitive Behavioral approach as well as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy tools (DBT) and when appropriate EMDR. Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence based approach that uses bilateral stimulation to reprocess memories or issues causing distress, helping us to overcome them. I also believe a motivational strengths perspective is extremely beneficial and offering non-judgmental validation, empathy and reflection combined with psycho-education enables us to build a solid rapport and assists in preparing you to gain needed insights and make necessary changes so that your behaviors will be in line with meeting your goals. Above all though, I believe the therapeutic relationship, being able to feel connected and comfortable to share your feelings with your therapist is most important. I sincerely care about each person that I work with and curtail my approach to meet individual needs.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck in your thoughts, emotionally drained, or weighed down by chronic pain, illness, stress, or life changes, you’re not alone. Many of the people I work with come to therapy unsure how to move forward and simply wanting to feel more like themselves again. My goal is to offer you a space where you feel supported, heard, and never judged. I believe trust, acceptance, and genuine connection are at the heart of good therapy. I want you to feel comfortable being yourself and talking openly about what you’re carrying. My approach is compassionate, practical, and collaborative. Together, we work to understand the patterns that may be keeping you stuck, whether that is anxiety, depression, overthinking, emotional pain, or the mental toll of physical pain and life stressors. I integrate cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and a person-centered approach to help you feel calmer, more grounded, and better equipped to cope. I have experience helping individuals with anxiety, depression, chronic pain and illness, injury recovery, life transitions, and some of the emotional struggles that can come with aging. I also offer a free first session so we can meet and see if I feel like the right fit for you, because the relationship we build is one of the most important parts of therapy. You do not have to carry this alone. I’m here to help you move forward with more support, clarity, and confidence.

If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’re carrying more than you let on. Maybe you’ve been trying to hold everything together—your relationships, your career, your confidence—while quietly feeling anxious, overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure of your next step. You might be tired of overthinking, tired of feeling alone with your thoughts, or tired of pretending you’re “fine” when you know you deserve more than survival mode. I want you to know: you don’t have to do this alone. I’m Alex, and my approach is grounded in compassion, collaboration, and real-world practicality. When you and I work together, you get a space where you can breathe, slow down, and finally talk honestly about what’s going on beneath the surface. I show up as a human first and a therapist second, someone who listens without judgment, helps you untangle the overwhelm, and walks alongside you as you reconnect with yourself. In our sessions, you can expect a blend of evidence-based practices and personalized care. I lean on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), humanistic approaches, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, positive psychology, and, when helpful, accelerated resolution therapy (ART). Whether we’re working through anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, performance blocks, or life transitions, I tailor the process to who you are and what you need, not a one-size-fits-all treatment plan. We’ll identify the patterns that keep you stuck, build healthier ways of thinking and coping, and strengthen the parts of you that are capable, resilient, and ready for change. My goal is for you to feel understood, supported, and empowered, not just in sessions, but in your everyday life. If you’re looking for a therapist who will meet you where you are, respect your pace, and help you move toward clarity, balance, and meaningful growth, you’re in the right place. We’ll work together to help you feel more grounded, more connected, and more like yourself again.

Are you feeling sad, angry, or anxious? Maybe you have just completed a treatment program and require ongoing support, or you feel you or a loved one are struggling with drug andor alcohol abuse, and you're unsure where to turn? Whether you are dealing with a crisis, seeking help for an addiction, or simply would like some guidance and support in our busy and stressful world, I provide a safe and honest space for you to work towards your personal goals, as well as assessment and referral services for more intensive treatment if needed. I specialize in mental health and substance abuse, and recognize that almost nobody in today's world is untouched by these issues. I use a variety of holistic and evidence-based therapy approaches tailored to your individual needs, with an emphasis on cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction. I believe that focus on the present moment and the quality of our thoughts are the greatest tools we have to change our lives. You CAN change the way you think to change the way you feel. There is always hope, and you are not alone! Call today for a free phone consultation and find out how therapy can help you help yourself.

I implement effective psychotherapy methods to instill self-understanding among patients and encourage them to adopt new attitudes and feelings towards life situations. Therapy is a healing process that necessitates participation and investment from the patient and therapist alike. But in the end, making small changes to self-defeating behavior and coping with feelings of sadness, fear, and pain can bring life-altering results. I specialize in treating Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar Depression Grief and Loss Issues and Addictions Dual-Diagnosis. I make it a priority to schedule new clients within about a week's time once a request for services has been made. I also provide treatment for the following concerns: Behavioral problems, Adjustment Issues, Anger management Difficulties, Self-Esteem Issues, Spirituality, Divorce Recovery and support for Individuals struggling with relationship issues. I invite you to email or call me today to schedule an initial appointment. I do offer evening appointments so you do not have to worry about missing work or school. I also accept many insurances and offer a reasonable flat rate per session for those who are without health insurance coverage.

A fulfilling life is what's waiting on the other side of your mental health challenges! Our job is to help you navigate your way to a life that is authentically yours, one that is filled with self-love, acceptance and deep meaning. We know the struggle associated with changing your way of thinking and behaving, even when those thinking and behavioral patterns cause you pain! The good news is that people change every day, and you can absolutely be one of them! We will provide guidance, insight, and understanding as you journey through these often tumultuous waters!