Griffin Oakley, Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Treasure Island, Florida
VerifiedFeaturedTelehealth Available
My Approach to Therapy
I am a mental health therapist specializing in childhood trauma and complex posttraumatic stress; I offer online therapy to clients in Florida, Monday through Thursday.
You've probably tried to figure it out on your own. Maybe you've read the books, done the research, developed real insight into what's going on, and it still hasn't shifted. That gap between understanding something and actually changing it is exactly where I work.
People often come to me for trauma therapy to address childhood wounds, attachment challenges and questions around identity, all layered with complex posttraumatic stress (PTSD). They're usually high-functioning and exhausted, carrying something that hasn't resolved, no matter how hard theyve tried or how much time has passed.
My approach is direct and collaborative. I don't sit quietly and reflect things back to you all session. I'll ask hard questions, offer honest observations, and meet you where you are. We'll look at where your patterns came from, why they made sense at the time, and what it would actually take to change them. That's the work, and it's worth doing.
My Practice & Services
I run a solo telehealth practice serving adults in Florida. All sessions are conducted via secure video. I do not offer phone consultations, group therapy, or in-person sessions. New clients begin with a free 15-minute video consultation to assess fit before committing to ongoing work.
On the Fence About Going to Therapy?
The most common thing I hear from people who've been considering therapy for a while is some version of "I should be able to figure this out on my own." Maybe you're not in crisis. Maybe things are functional. Maybe you've just learned to manage. But managing isn't the same as living the way you actually want to. If something keeps showing up -in your relationships, your reactions, your sense of who you are - that's worth paying attention to. You don't have to be falling apart to deserve support. You just have to be ready to be honest about what's actually going on.
Had a Negative Therapy Experience?
If you've been in therapy before and walked away feeling like nothing really changed, you're not alone - and it's not a you problem. A lot of therapy stays on the surface. You talk, you feel heard, and then you're back to the same patterns by the end of the week. That's not what I do. I work at a level that actually touches what's driving things, not just the symptoms. If you've been burned before, I understand the hesitation. I'd ask you to give it one conversation before you write it off entirely.
Important Factors for Choosing a Therapist
The most important thing is fit - not credentials, not specialty, not even approach. If you don't feel like you can be honest with your therapist, the work won't move. That said, credentials and training do matter. You want someone who knows what they're doing clinically, not just someone who's easy to talk to.
For the kind of work I do - trauma, attachment, complex patterns - you want a therapist who goes beneath the surface. Someone who can hold difficult material without flinching, who isn't just reflecting things back at you, and who has the training to work with a nervous system that's been through something. Ask about their approach. Ask what they actually do in session. If they can't answer that clearly, keep looking.
And trust your gut in the consultation. If something feels off, it probably is.
The Duration and Frequency of Therapy
There's no honest answer to "how long will this take" - anyone who gives you a number in the first session is guessing. What I can tell you is that the kind of work I do isn't designed to go on indefinitely. We're working toward something specific, not just maintaining a weekly check-in.
Most clients I work with are in therapy for somewhere between six months and two years, depending on what they're bringing in and how deep it goes. Complex trauma and attachment work takes longer than situational stress. That's just the reality.
Sessions are weekly, especially at the start. Spacing out too early tends to slow momentum. As things shift and stabilize, we'll talk about what makes sense from there.
The goal is always for you to need me less - not more.
Expertise & Specialties
Age Groups I Work With
Adults
Groups I Work With
I work with adults navigating childhood trauma, complex posttraumatic stress (PTSD), and attachment wounds. I also support high-functioning people who feel stuck in patterns they cant shift, even with insight and effort. I welcome LGBTQ+ adults, including those navigating identity, religious trauma, and family estrangement. I work with adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity (ADHD) and bipolar diagnoses, men who have experienced sexual abuse, and adults who are in, or affected by, addiction and recovery. I offer private, self-pay telehealth therapy in Florida for clients seeking high-quality care with a clinically rigorous approach.
Therapy Services & Specialties
Concerns & Challenges Addressed
AbandonmentAdjusting to Change / Life TransitionsAngerAnxietyAttachment IssuesBipolarCodependency / DependencyDepression
Therapeutic Approaches & Evidence-Based Methods
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)Culturally Sensitive TherapyDialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)Emotionally Focused TherapyExistential PsychotherapyGestalt Therapy
Industries & Communities
BIPOCEducationEntertainment IndustryFirst Responder/Medical ProfessionalsLGBTQ+Professional SportsSelf-Employed and Freelance Professionals