Hello and congratulations on making the first step towards your new journey! My name is Charnell Benjamin-Carter. I’m a born again Christian and licensed mental health counselor practicing for over 14 years now. I graduated from Nova Southeastern University and completed my Internship at Hyde Park Counseling Center, an Inpatient Residential Facility for women specializing in Eating Disorders and Substance Abuse. My advanced training in Trauma Informed Care and Addictions is beneficial to healing and restoring the family unit. If you have been having problems in your relationship, I’m sure you’ve received lots of advice from friends, family and maybe even other counselors and wondering why things still seem broken. For years counselors have taught couples to "fight fair" and have active listening skills. While these tools are helpful, it’s not just that simple. I believe in addressing not only the symptoms, but the core issues. I use a multifaceted approach including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Informed, Solution Focused Therapy, Reality Therapy, Conflict Resolution and Family Systems among others. My professional training is backed by over 14 years of experience working with couples and families exploring our faith, reducing depression & anxiety, exploring what makes relationships work, how to navigate through rough times and repair from trauma and infidelity. I apply some of the same principles taught in the 12 Step Program to treat addictions adding insight on the Disease Model of Addiction. I have assisted individuals and families for over 14 years, and I would like to help you!

I am a LMHC with 10 years of experience, however I have more than 20 years- experience working as a first responder in the military and local agencies. I have worked many years with foster children and the families that care for them, I understand the challenges that it takes to care for these special children and the individual unique needs that each family has. Being a first responder has provided me the insight what our brave men and women endure each day and the emotional trauma that can occur with these challenging careers. I work in a large range of clients to include children to adults experiencing anxiety, PTSD, parenting problems, career problems, addictions, and depression; different forms of trauma to include physical or emotional abuse. I am warm, empathetic, and believe that each person is to be treated with respect, compassion, and dignity. I don’t believe in stigmatizing labels; working as a first responder and being a Veteran I understand how difficult it can be to ask for help and realize how strong you are to reach out. My approach is person-centered, psychoeducational, existential, and cognitive behavioral focusing on empowering and helping the individual to regain control within their lives and unique situations. I am happy that you are taking your first steps to take back your power and when you are ready, I am here to assist your journey. I look forward to working with you!

Dr. Vernice Richards is a compassionate and dedicated therapist who is committed to helping you on your journey towards mental and emotional well-being. As a liscenced Mental Health Counselor with expertise in evidence-based therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based approaches, Dr. Richards creates a safe and collaborative space for you to explore your thoughts and emotions. Whether you're dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, or relationship issues, Dr. Richards will work closely with you to identify your unique needs and goals. She believes in empowering you to develop resilience and make positive changes in your life. With her expertise and support, you can gain self-awareness, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and achieve lasting positive change. You can trust Dr. Vernice Richards to provide you with a safe, non-judgmental, and compassionate environment where you can explore your concerns and work towards your goals. Through her expertise, compassion, and unwavering support, she will guide you towards greater mental well-being and help you lead a more fulfilling life. Take the courageous step towards healing and growth by reaching out to Dr. V today.

Hello! I’m David Affolter, I have been helping people most of my adult life. It just seems that has been a major motivation for me. After college and service in the Air Force, I really was confronted with the reality that I needed to choose a direction in life. I made a decision that it had to be something that would bring me lasting satisfaction. I would feel good about myself. I became a high school teacher and coach, and I loved doing that for almost twenty years. I experienced the joy of seeing young people do things they thought they couldn’t ever do. In my teaching, I always seemed to be drawn to the students who seemed like they were struggling to find their way. Students came to me for someone to listen to them and help them find their way. I have the joy today of keeping in touch via social media, and I watching as they grow their own families and follow their own path. After those teaching years and my own daughters moved on to college and adult life, I felt the urge to keep helping people, but I felt moved to go into counseling. With the support of my wife, I completed a graduate/professional degree in Community Counseling at The University of Akron in 1994 and became a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Ohio and am also a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida. It really was a smooth transition, and I have learned that a significant part of counseling is giving people new information and perspectives and helping them decide where they want to go and how to get there. I have continued now for over twenty years in helping people deal with a variety of problems in their lives, and the large majority are able to feel good about themselves and able to move in the direction they choose. I have learned how life has wounded people and how to help them heal from those wounds. I have seen people who thought their lives were over but have learned in therapy how to build new ways of being and living that lead them to new destinations—destinations that many never thought they would arrive at in the beginning. I know when I reflect on my own journey over the past fifty years or so, I am amazed at the variety of things life has brought my way, and the lessons I have learned along the way. It is a very humbling experience watching people gain the courage to change and move forward in ways they never believed they could. If this kind of experience is something that you believe would be helpful to you, then you are in the right place. I can join you on your journey and help you find your way to your new destination—a new way of looking at yourself, a new career path, finding new friends, or finding a new spirituality to give new meaning and purpose to your life. I look forward to assisting you on your journey to your new destination!

Hi! My name is Jaime and I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor with over 10 years of clinical experience. I am licensed in the state of Florida. I am originally from North Carolina and received my undergraduate degree from UNC-Chapel Hill (Go Heels!). After graduation, I worked at the N.C. Children's Hospital providing therapeutic services to children and adolescents. In 2004, I moved to Winston-Salem, NC to begin a graduate program in Counseling at Wake Forest University. Since 2006, I have worked in public and private schools in Atlanta, GA and Raleigh, NC. I became a licensed professional counselor in 2008 and am passionate about providing quality therapeutic care. My approach to counseling is client-centered in that I strive to provide a comfortable and non-judgmental therapeutic environment. I also utilize interventions from other counseling theories to create appropriate treatment plans. Through Solution-Focused Theory, I provide support to the client by focusing on solving problems instead of being stuck in the past. I also help the client set short and long terms goals to achieve personal growth. Cognitive Behavioral Theory is another effective counseling modality I pull from during our sessions. It is similar to Solution-Focused Theory in that it focuses on the future but it also involves changing unhealthy thought patterns. I also incorporate relaxation techniques and teach coping skills as needed. In my free time, I enjoy running, reading, and practicing yoga. I also love spending time with my family at the beach, riding bikes in the neighborhood, and cooking in the kitchen. My husband and I have been married for almost 17 years and are always looking forward to travel adventures!

Hi and welcome! I believe that finding the right fit for your counselor is an important step in this journey of feeling better, and I'm grateful you've decided to take the time and read mine. I have been a social worker for eight years and a life coach and counselor for a decade working with a variety of people including individuals, groups, and children. Currently, I run a small private practice and mental coaching business for athletes looking to access their competitive potential. I would say my experience has been quite varied. I've practiced in substance use facilities, 6-12 grade in public schools, community field work, with young adults, and I also work in the world of collegiate athletics. I feel my best as a therapist when I can work with my clients to develop goals and clear pathways to success however that may look. I also crossover into other aspects of practice that include LGBTQ+ populations, multicultural issues, and trauma. I appreciate therapeutic styles and approaches that consider multicultural considerations and that value diversity. I practice cultural humility when engaging in work with individuals who have cultural considerations especially those I can learn from myself. I’m thrilled you’re here looking for relief and I hope I can be a part of your team to support you. *Please note that I am currently only accepting new members who are looking to message or chat for live scheduled sessions* Let’s get at it!

Welcome to BetterHelp, and thank you for considering me as your counselor. Taking the initial step towards self-care and personal growth is commendable, and I am honored to accompany you on this journey. My name is Kayla Luu, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker authorized to practice in both Florida and Arizona. I earned my Master's Degree in Social Work from Florida State University in 2016. My professional journey post-graduation has led me to serve in community mental health, the educational system, and adult center. My background, prior to undertaking my graduate studies, includes significant work with children, adolescents, and families within foster-care transitioning homes and residential centers. This cumulative decade of experience has equipped me with a deep understanding and compassion for the diverse challenges faced by individuals across different life stages. In my counseling practice, I embrace a philosophy of openness and empathy, striving to foster a space where you feel warmly welcomed and genuinely heard. My approach is tailored to your unique needs, employing a blend of therapeutic modalities that resonate with your personal growth objectives and pace. My primary aim is to ensure you feel secure, validated, and empowered throughout our sessions. A little more about me on a personal note: I am Vietnamese-American, bilingual in English and Vietnamese, and have the joy of being a wife and mother to four children. Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, I now call Southwest Florida, my home. In my leisure time, I cherish being with my family, indulging in reading, exploring the outdoors, enjoying Netflix, and expressing creativity through painting. I am eagerly looking forward to embarking on this therapeutic journey with you, aiming to illuminate paths of healing and self-discovery.

Hello! I’m Dr. Kenya L. King, a Licensed Psychologist based in Tampa, FL. I earned my Doctorate and Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech). At my practice, Aya Psychological and Wellness Services LLC, my top priorities are ethical practice, professionalism, and the well-being and transformation of my clients. ​​Having worked in a variety of clinical settings and in both rural and urban locations, I am comfortable working with people from diverse backgrounds and with distinct therapeutic needs. As a result, my clients vary in terms of age, relationship/marital status, academic status, socioeconomic status, military/Veteran status, physical ability, sexual orientation, gender, race, and ethnicity. Fun fact, my youngest client was 4 years old and my oldest was 102! I have extensive experience providing individual and group therapy and working with both children and adults. I was fortunate to have trained under experts such as Dr. Thomas Ollendick, world renowned clinical child psychologist, researcher, author, and expert in childhood anxiety and Dr. Russell T. Jones, a leading researcher and clinician in post-traumatic stress disorder, childhood trauma, and minority mental health. I have also worked in community mental health, private practice, residential settings, and within our Veterans Affairs Medical system. As a result, my clinical expertise is fairly broad and includes treating a variety of mental health and related concerns, including depression, anxiety, PTSD/trauma, grief, stress management, anger management, issues related to self-esteem, behavioral problems in children, coping with medical conditions, and improving physical health. I am specifically trained in the provision of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, an evidence based therapy considered effective for the treatment of a variety of mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, and stress as well as in Prolonged Exposure and Cognitive Processing Therapy (for children and adults), both of which are evidence based treatments for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). I am also trained in providing comprehensive psychological assessments of psychiatric symptoms, personality, intellectual, academic, and cognitive functioning for children and adults. My goal as your therapist is to provides an open, engaging, and nonjudgmental environment where you can freely express your concerns and communicate what you hope to accomplish during the therapeutic process. I believe in providing mental health treatments that are evidence based and grounded in clinical science (i.e., research) while also treating clients as “whole persons” rather than symptoms. I strive to create a collaborative therapeutic alliance with clients by attending to their interpersonal style, culture, beliefs, strengths, and skills, and integrating components of cognitive, interpersonal, psychodynamic, humanistic, motivational, supportive, and/or multicultural psychology as appropriate.

My name is William Scott Natale. I have been a License Clinical Social Worker in FL since 2006. I have worked the most with clients who are coping with trauma and the result of poor or longer useful coping methods . For example, co-dependence, drug and alcohol abuse and self-harm behaviors. However, my focus with patients typically is built on communication style and following a trusted process for improved confidence and self esteem. Cognitive and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy is used most often in my practice with patients. I am happy you are considering a more satisfying way of life. Believe me, it is my pleasure to help you do that. Together, we can look at disappointments, core beliefs that support dysfunction, and determine the best way out. All you that will be asked of you is to participate in therapy with the courage and open mindedness needed to be honest about what is getting in the way and be willing to cope with the discomfort that often is associated with learning something new. I will do the work to provide help to you, All you need to do is participate, and again it will be my pleasure.

I am licensed in Florida with 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, & coping with grief and loss. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in Florida with 33 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma, and abuse, & anger management. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am licensed in Florida, South Carolina and Alabama with 25 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, motivation, self-esteem, and confidence, & career difficulties. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

With over 30 years of experience as a therapist, I have had the privilege of working in various settings, including crisis units, hospitals, and prisons. My practice is licensed in Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee. The diverse range of agencies I have worked with has deepened my understanding of the myriad challenges that individuals face, whether through life transitions or unforeseen difficulties. These experiences have enriched my ability to empathize with and support my clients, helping them navigate their unique paths with compassion and expertise. I am here to help you move forward, no matter the obstacles. I look forward to working together and supporting you on your journey to well-being. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in Ohio and Florida with almost 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, parenting issues, & depression. I also have worked extensively with teens as well as with men and masculine journey issues. As a Christian therapist, I have many years of experience and training in helping clients with matters of faith. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialogue and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy shows great courage and I am proud of you for getting started! I'm eager to come alongside of you on your journey.

It's important to consider changing the way you think about your life. Making changes involves understanding that it's okay to reach out for help and support. Life is full of challenges, and each of us has our own unique perspective. I believe that everyone faces mental health struggles at some point. Grief and loss can take many forms, from losing a job or a loved one to feeling isolated, experiencing difficulty sleeping, relationship issues, lack of effective communication and/or dealing with depression and anxiety. Family issues and feeling like you lack the ability to lead a happier life can also contribute to feelings of loss. I've been privileged to work with clients like yourself who have bravely reached out to gain a better understanding of themselves. Remember, there are no quick fixes, and true self-discovery happens when you open yourself up to the challenge of examining your life. As a licensed therapist in Florida with 20 years of professional work experience, I've had the honor of supporting clients dealing with a wide range of issues, including stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, grief and loss, and motivation, self-esteem, and confidence. I truly believe that you are the expert of your own story, and I'm here to help you recognize and harness your strengths to overcome life's obstacles. I understand that taking the step to seek therapy can be daunting, and I want to commend you for your courage in taking this first step.