I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with nearly 30 years of experience. I am located in Florida where I began my career in counseling in 1994 as a residential therapist in a psychiatric hospital, followed by the roles of an outpatient therapist, clinical supervisor and program director at a substance abuse treatment agency. In 2001, I relocated to Ohio, where I worked for the next 13 years as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor - Supervisor, program manager and program administrator for a mental and behavioral health nonprofit organization. In 2014, I relocated back to Florida where I began my online practice. If you have any reservations about online counseling, I encourage you to give it a try. It is a highly effective and convenient therapeutic modality that can be accessed from the the comfort and safety of your own home or wherever you are at any given time. I can attest to this with utmost confidence based on my clients' positive feedback after providing services here for over 8 years. My clinical philosophy is one of a humanistic nature, with emphasis on the therapeutic relationship as the most essential building block of the counseling process. My therapeutic style is warm, interactive, attentive and compassionate. I believe that genuineness, unconditional positive regard and empathy are critical to the helping process. As needed, I am also direct and structured in my approach and tend to assign therapeutic homework or tasks to enhance the progression and continuity of the process in between live sessions or message exchanges. I have the ability to tailor and pace treatment to your individual and unique needs, and I am sensitive to evolving the process at your pace and convenience while still promoting and prompting advancement toward your goals. Furthermore, I take a holistic approach to health and wellness, with emphasis on achieving balance in major life domains. I believe that when needs, desires or aspirations are unfulfilled in one significant realm, the others are affected as well and this creates imbalance in one's life, leading to stress, anxiety, inconsistency, overwhelmed feelings, lack of self-care, somatic symptoms, etc. Lastly, in terms of professional characteristics and standards of care, I operate with the highest degree. I was esteemed throughout my career for my level of professionalism, ethical conduct, organization, efficiency and grace. My educational background includes: a bachelor's degree in psychology from University of Miami, FL; a master's degree in mental health counseling from Nova Southeastern University of Fort Lauderdale, FL; and additional post-graduate coursework in career counseling, and the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of mental disorders at University of Dayton in Bexley, OH. I enjoy the ongoing pursuit of continued education, training and professional development through seminars in specialized areas, reading and self-study. I highly value knowledge, information and effective application of therapeutic theories, models, strategies, and techniques that may benefit the people I serve. My clinical experience includes working with various diverse populations and treatment modalities, and the full spectrum of issues and disorders ranging from the most simple to the most complex co-occurring conditions. I specialize in treating depression/anxiety/stress, substance abuse/addiction, emotional/physical/sexual abuse, trauma and grief/loss. I also have extensive experience with counseling issues in the following areas: LGBT, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Intimacy-related issues, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Compassion fatigue & Addictions in general. Depression, anxiety and stress are some of the most common challenges faced by people who seek counseling. In this realm, I have worked with children, adolescents and adults in residential/hospital, outpatient and community-based settings. I have provided individual, group and family services, and have facilitated psycho-educational counseling groups and workshops on coping skills, stress management/reduction, emotion regulation, self-esteem and assertive communication skills. My approach though eclectic, tends to be rooted in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which per evidence-based research, is very effective in treating these issues. This active intervention is problem-focused and goal-directed in examining the relationships between thoughts, feelings and behaviors; and modifying unhelpful or negative patterns of thinking that lead to self-defeating beliefs and actions, to improve coping and overall wellness. I also take a mindfulness-based approach to CBT (MBCBT) by encouraging the use of mindfulness practice and self-compassion. These tools help to address and validate one's personal experience with distress, pain and suffering; and diminish associated negative symptoms by focusing attention on the present moment. Learning how to self-soothe and regulate emotions through effective relaxation, calming and grounding strategies are significant components of my clinical approach to addressing depression, anxiety and stress. For over two decades, I have treated teens and adults who struggle with substance abuse and dependency issues. In 1998, I was humbly honored to receive Florida Alcohol & Drug Abuse Association's Professional of the Year award. I have provided these services in various settings and levels of care from the least to the most restrictive. As an outpatient alcohol and drug counselor, I worked with self-referred individuals as well as those who had been mandated to receive evaluation and/or treatment as a condition of probation, parole, work, school or a family/community member. I provided these services in individual, group and family forums. As a clinical supervisor and administrator, I had the opportunity to develop and oversee programming and staff in the specialized area of addictions. In a training capacity, I facilitated seminars to educate clinical staff in the areas of assessing, diagnosing and treating alcohol and drug problems. I am very passionate about working with people who struggle with addictions in general, one day at a time, toward a healthy recovery and lifestyle. Maintaining a strong emphasis on healthy coping skills, positive support systems and relapse prevention planning are key to my treatment approach in this area. In the delicate area of treating the effects of abuse and trauma, I have worked with child and adult survivors of emotional/physical/sexual abuse and violence. I have extensive experience working with acute and post traumatic stress disorder and have developed and facilitated group curricula that focus on reducing isolation, guilt/shame and self-blame; building self-esteem, positive support systems and coping skills; and increasing a sense of mastery and personal empowerment. I am also well versed at teaching survivors how to implement effective relaxation, grounding and anchoring techniques to help diminish anxiety and maintain a balanced state of arousal and focus in the present moment. Encouraging self-forgiveness is also very important to me in helping survivors let go of illegitimate shame or guilt derived from any unwanted responses to, or effects from the abuse. Throughout the healing journey, I am sensitive to guiding the process at a pace that feels most comfortable and safe to each person, and promoting respite from focusing on difficult material if/when it becomes too emotionally burdensome. To help prevent any inadvertent re-traumatization from occurring during the counseling process, I am especially conscientious and attentive to providing trauma-informed care. Throughout my career, I have helped children, teens and families work through grief/loss challenges. In my professional opinion, there is no one particular formula for grieving. Though there are common elements or phases of grief, everyone grieves differently. It is a very personal experience and individual response to coping with significant loss of any kind - death, separation/divorce, relocation, retirement, job loss/change, etc. Grief occurs in stages, which may come like waves in the ocean, ascending and receding at any given time and in no particular order. I am skilled at helping people understand this phenomenon and learn how to navigate these treacherous waters. I have expertise in providing compassionate support and effective strategies to aid individuals through this vulnerable and difficult time toward a place of healing and acceptance. Working with LGBTQIA+ counseling issues is a point of passion for me. I respect, admire, embrace and promote diversity, individuality and authenticity in my personal and professional life. I am LGBTQIA+ informed/educated and have experience with bullying, coming out, internalized homophobia, gender identity affirmation and transgender support. Mental health problems are difficult enough in their own respect, let alone compounded by LGBTQ issues. I have worked with a broad spectrum of concerns in this realm ranging from depression, anxiety, shame, guilt, secrecy and confusion associated with sexual orientation/attraction and gender identity to homo/bi/transphobia and HOCD (homophobic obsessive compulsive disorder). Furthermore, LGBTQIA+ couples and families have unique issues when it comes to navigating the legal, emotional and financial aspects of raising and/or restructuring a non-traditional family. On behalf of this community, I firmly believe that more support, education and advocacy are greatly needed. With all the significant strides that have been made toward raised awareness and acceptance in our society, there is so much more that we can do to achieve full empowerment and equality for all. I want to be a part of this valuable movement and growth journey by helping one individual at a time. I genuinely admire your initiative and courage to reach out for support, and look forward to working together toward your goals. With patience and commitment and dedication to this process, this is the first step toward a happier and healthier or more evolved you.

What would it feel like to be heard, to know that you are valued and cared about and to believe that there is real hope for your future? Are you struggling, anxious, grieving, overwhelmed? You are not alone. Life is really hard right now. You deserve self care and support. Difficult and painful experiences can leave us feeling disconnected from ourselves and others. I offer you a safe place to talk about and explore all those concerns. Together we will identify specific issues and needs to establish achievable goals. Working collaboratively throughout the counseling and coaching process, we will continuously evaluate your progress as you become stronger and more confident in all of your life decisions. From me you can expect warmth, empathy, humor and the use of practical tools that you can start applying right away. I will bring to every session an earnest desire to facilitate your growth and healing and will walk alongside you so that you never feel alone. I work with individual clients and couples from all walks of life. I have more than 18 years of counseling experience specializing in depression, anxiety, trauma recovery, grief and loss and lifestyle adjustments. Most recently I have been serving military families and first responders. I applaud you for taking this first step toward wellness. Please feel free to contact me today! You may also want to view my website at https://www.edna-emerson-lmhc.com

Jeff Smialek is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with 15 years of experience in the field. As a veteran Jeff understands that at any given time a person may need help and understanding. He brings a wealth of experience to his practice and is always seeking new avenues to continue to provide the most current techniques for his clients. Jeff has specialized experience providing therapy for adolescents and individuals with trauma, mood disorders, attachment disorders, and behavioral/impulse disorders. He is a graduate level professor in mental health counseling and is a Qualified Supervisor for mental health interns seeking licensure. Jeffrey believes with guidance anyone can have the fulfilling life they are seeking. "Most people are usually about as happy as they make up their minds to be." Abraham Lincoln.

I am a culturally-responsive licensed psychologist who focuses on helping my clients achieve optimal health and well-being. I’m excited by the challenges that life presents and the diversity of the clients I work with. My goal is to support and empower you in your work towards fulfillment and happiness. Client feedback has described my style as warm and interactive as we work to achieve your goals with authenticity, respect, and compassion. With over 10 years of experience working with athletes and high-achieving individuals. My work with clients has focused on a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, career challenges, masculinity and life transitions. I realized that, for some, prioritizing mental health can be daunting. For this reason, I take a collaborate approach towards reducing mental health stigma using psycho-educational resources and person-first language. I am currently accepting new clients and welcome your phone call. Currently, all sessions are conducted using a HIPAA-compliant secure Telehealth platform. Please contact me directly with any questions.

A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY: I am a Licensed Behavioral Health Practitioner with over 18+ years of experience, treating patients / clients who have a variety of social, emotional, psychological, psychiatric with overlapping legal and medical concerns. My experience also covers a wide spectrum of treatment settings: In-Home Therapy; Outpatient Treatment; In-Patient Psychiatric Treatment; Partial Hospitalization; Long Term Care Facilities; Christian Counseling & Development Settings; Addiction Treatment Facilities and the Telemedicine System. SPECIALTIES: Christian Counseling Mood Disorders Some Psychotic Disorders Addictions Cluster B Personality Disorders: NPD & BPD Dual Diagnosis (psychological /psychiatric and Medical Forensic Clinical Social work CREDENTIALS: EDUCATION B.Sc. (Hons) Sociology & Law M.S.W. Clinical Social Work Th.D / PhD Biblical Systematic Theology / . M.H. Counseling & Psychotherapy LICENSES & CERTIFICATION LCSW: #3530 BCD: # 29465 Medicare # : Z5870Z NPI : 1700909611 Not Accepting New Patients / Clients.

I have 7 years of clinical experience providing therapy to individuals, couples, and families. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including anxiety, stress, depression, mood disorders, relationship issues, life transitions, self-esteem, and ADHD. My specialization is in helping people reach their “inner strength” by developing age appropriate skills to push through life challenges . I am committed to building a collaborative relationship with you were together we will identify and practice tools to promote your personal growth. We will identify your strengths, and problem-solve together. Through this process I will commit on making you feel understood and supported by being a genuine, caring therapist. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, person-centered, interpersonal, and strength-based counseling. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. If you are ready to take that step I am here to support and empower you through this process. I look forward to working with you!

Creating an environment filled with empathy, collaboration, unconditional positive regard and communication are vital to success in therapy. As a licensed therapist in the state of Florida, I take pride in my work with clients and building strong therapeutic relationships that allow for us to grow together towards reaching stated goals. Building a foundational level of trust during our early work together is of paramount importance and allows for a solid structure to be built off of. I operate from a strengths based approach and utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy amongst other evidence based practices. I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, coping with life changes and individuals with relationship issues. I believe each person has their own unique story and I look forward to hearing yours and working together!

I am a licensed clinical social worker and have been in the field for approximately 20 years. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, and more recently persons with chronic mental illness such as Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective disorder, and Bi-polar Disorder. I have also helped many people who have experienced physical trauma or emotional abuse. I love helping people be their best selves. My therapy style is warm and interactive. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and I don't believe in stigmatizing labels. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, and motivational enhancement therapy. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards change. If you are ready to take that step, I am here to support and empower you. I look forward to working with you!

Hi! I am a licensed mental health therapist (LMHC) who has extensive experience working with adults who struggle with issues related to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or symptoms of inattentiveness, inability to focus, emotional regulation, and anxiety related ADHD. I also specialize in anxiety disorders and use a combination of CBT and DBT skill sets to cope with life's challenges as well as existentialism to explore one's sense of purpose, values, and to help them become the best versions of themselves. And I also work with relationship challenges by helping people with healthy and assertive communication, boundary setting, understanding their own needs in relationships, and attachment related issues. In my work, I value my client's ability to advocate for themselves and to embrace and celebrate their individuality. I do not operate from a "one size fits all" approach. I work with the individual client to develop habits, strategies, skills, and ideas that are tailored to who they are as an unique individual and with their own unique needs and interests. I have helped many clients grow to understand themselves better and become more confident in knowing who they are and in how they communicate and relate to others. By peeling back the layers and understanding how the past manifests in the present and learning the tools necessary to deal with irrational beliefs and maladaptive thought patterns, one can truly become the best version of themselves and live their best life filled with what is important to them. If you are ready to take the next step to living a life of authenticity and self love, I would love to guide you on that journey. Please reach out, I would love to hear from you! Ashley

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Florida with over seven years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, motivation, self esteem and confidence, Veteran's issues, & depression. I also have experience working with executive and professional coaching. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. 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. My sessions at this time are mainly through messaging and live chat sessions only, so please keep that in mind when you are booking. Video and phone calls are on a case by case basis, but I am happy to discuss this with you.

I am licensed in Florida with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, lgbt-related issues, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. 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 North Carolina with 3 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, depression, & coping with life changes. 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 seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in Florida with 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in Florida with 24 years of professional work experience. I want to commend you for taking the brave step of seeking therapy. I don’t subscribe to just handing out coping skills when I know that you can go a lot deeper to get to the root cause to challenge the narratives and faulty thinking that often come from our programming and conditioning at a young age. Once you do this work you will start to come into alignment with your true self. Not the version others have told you that you are. I am honored to be witness and assist in the most important work you will ever do. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, depression, raising your awareness , parenting issues, & motivation, self esteem, confidence and much more. 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 with 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, parenting issues, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!