As a close suburb of Jacksonville, Atlantic Beach relies heavily on its larger city connections. Just as the town relies on others through independence, so do the people of the city have to rely on others from time to time. There is no shame in seeking help if you are struggling mentally or emotionally.

If you are facing hardship in your life, you can turn to confidential Atlantic Beach-area counselors. These therapists are trained and licensed to help you with all areas of your personal life. Contact a therapist to get started.

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Racquel Smith

Offering therapy in FL
License: LCSW
Relationship issuesFamily conflictsParenting issuesSelf esteemCareer difficulties
3 years of experience

Hi, my name is Racquel Smith, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Florida. I earned my Master of Social Work and my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Hunter College in New York City. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including infertility, parenting issues, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, career challenges, and loss and grief. I also helped many people who have end of life concerns. My treatment style is laid back but warm and interactive. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. My approach combines person centered therapy, solution focused therapy, narrative therapy, and motivational interviewing. I also look at a person’s strength because we are always our biggest critic. I believe everyone has tools in their tool kit to build on their strengths and I am here to guide you. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. I meet my clients where they are and work collaboratively, at their pace, to make them feel safe and supported. It takes courage to seek for 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. I look forward to working with you!

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Jonathan Nelson III

Offering therapy in FL
License: LCSW,MCAP
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsAnger management
10 years of experience

Asking for help is hard…admitting to yourself that you need help is even harder. I know. I’ve been in many dark, cold and scary places in my life and admitting that you are wounded and need help is a very real battle that so many people choose to ignore. The alternative is to “suck it up” and “press on” and “suffer in silence” …or at least at a volume that won’t disturb others. Is there something that you’re avoiding or thinking about how to navigate? How to plan? How to tell? How to let go and say goodbye? Or how to say hello? Life is anything but predictable, and for many of us, living on auto-pilot can seem like a good option, until it’s not. I challenge people to switch off auto-pilot, to be an active participant in their thoughts, feelings and perceptions as opposed being a passive observer watching life go by. I challenge people to actively engage their thoughts, feelings and perceptions, to ask hard questions, test assumptions and then summon the courage and gather the strength needed to judge their thoughts, feelings and perceptions and change them into something new. The Bible provides some great insight into the therapeutic process in a very simple way. Lamentations 3:40 says, “Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” I believe there is profound wisdom in that very simple verse. My role in helping individuals over the past 10 years has been to provide a safe and secure environment where individuals can begin to “examine” their ways, their thoughts, their feelings, opinion, assumptions and beliefs. The examination process is critical to understanding the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How of any particular issue or challenge. Furthermore, the therapeutic environment I provide is a place where we “test” or challenge those thoughts, feeling, opinions, assumptions and beliefs and where you are given the opportunity to decide what action steps you want to take. Therapy can be challenging. It is my joy to engage with individuals who are ready, willing and able to take the necessary steps to improve the quality of their lives. Reflection and problem analysis has its place and is important, however, clear and decisive action is what is required to create momentum towards change and learning to be patient with the process of change is the key to lasting change. Lastly, I believe that your perspective greatly influences your confidence and ability to embrace personal change. Transformational power resides not in assigning blame, but in assuming responsibility. You need to be willing, ready and able to make the hard decisions necessary to courageously face that which you may have been running from. When the storms of life come and confusion hovers around you like a fog, correcting the course of your life can be a frightening and challenging task. My role is to help you make some course corrections in your life, so you can get to where you want to be. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Certified Anger Management Treatment Specialist as well as a Certified Facilitator for Prepare/Enrich Ministry (Marriage Preparation). I specialize in all forms of addiction-related issues and subsequent problems (stress and anger control issues, conflict resolution challenges, trust and reconciliation difficulties etc.). I have been in the helping and service field for nearly 10 years, serving in a variety of capacities from clinical administration, supervision and mentoring to direct clinical psychotherapy serving non-profit organizations, correctional settings (Department of Corrections and County Jail) along with private practice, and currently with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. There is hope are you ready to get to work?

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Michael Chase

Offering therapy in FL
License: MSW,LCSW
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsParenting issuesDepressionCoping with life changes
18 years of experience

I have been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Florida for the last 19 years. Prior to my move to Florida I was a Certified Clinical Social Worker in the state of Michigan for 13 years. During my career I have provided treatment to a variety of clients in outpatient, home and school settings. My current specialties are the treatment of anxiety, depression, stress, family and relationship conflict. I also have an extensive history working with children and teens and feel one of my strengths is my ability to develop rapport with this population. I have a client centered approach with the understanding what each client wants to get out of the treatment process may differ. With that in mind I will do my best to tailor each session and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs.

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Theresa Steele Mitchell

Offering therapy in FL
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsParenting issuesCoping with life changes
17 years of experience

I am licensed in Alabama and Florida with 17 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & parenting issues. 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.

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Catherine Stormont

Offering therapy in FL
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseDepression
26 years of experience

I am licensed in Florida with 26 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, relationship issues, & trauma and abuse. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. guilt, or shame. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

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Elisabeth Spear

Offering therapy in FL
License: LCSW
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseAnger managementSelf esteemDepression
23 years of experience

I am a licensed clinician with over 20 years of experience working with multiple treatment modalities to assist both people in crisis and people seeking to improve self esteem, evaluate all types of relationships and life goals or make major life changes. I am very practical in terms of helping you to make changes and transitions in your life. My viewpoint is one of working with a person and also what surrounds that person - family, community, workplace and social life. I am also caring, warm, and open professionally to spiritual and alternative methods such as mindfulness and meditation. I am open to both video and phone sessions but not to chat or text sessions as I believe it is easy to misinterpret emotions and levels of concerns you may express via text and chat. Finding a therapist that you trust and connect with is a challenging task, it is important to me to offer the best of myself when we are working together. Over the past twenty years I have worked with people experiencing chronic and terminal illness, mental heath crisis, homelessness, PTSD, consequences of aging, and disability. I have also worked with people wanting to improve self esteem, work through family and relationship issues, and also the many internal conflicts experienced throughout the stages of life as beliefs, needs and goals change over time. I am comfortable working with LGBTQ clients and also with clients in alternative lifestyles such as polyamory, swinging and BDSM. My goal is for each client to have a space to discuss choices and needs openly in a caring and professional relationship. For all the clients who have posted reviews - I am so grateful you are a part of my life, and thank you so much for your kindness!

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Andrea Muchmore

Offering therapy in FL
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesEating disordersSelf esteem
3 years of experience

I am licensed in Florida with 3 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, relationship issues, & eating disorders. I believe that you are capable of working through your life stressors by gaining new skills to help you manage your emotions.

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George Ramsey

Offering therapy in FL
Relationship issuesTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesSelf esteemDepression
18 years of experience

I am licensed in Florida with 18 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy 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. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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Julie Tirella

Offering therapy in FL
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesGriefBipolar disorderDepression
15 years of experience

I am licensed in Florida with over 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, depression, phobias, addiction, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief and loss, & self esteem, and confidence. 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.

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Maya Andrews

Offering therapy in FL
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsAnger managementDepressionCoping with life changes
10 years of experience

I am licensed in Florida with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, anger management, & depression. I utilize the following modalities: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, 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 seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

How to find counseling in Atlantic Beach

Finding the best therapist close by in Atlantic Beach can feel challenging, but know that once you narrow your search for a counselor serving your area, you can find a therapist in your city that is accepting new clients and fits your goals. Whether you're struggling with depression, anxiety, marriage, family issues, or other emotional challenges, feel proud that you have begun your search to find the mental health care services that work best for you in order to begin your personal journey towards emotional healing.

Understanding the type of therapy you'd like to search for is crucial before finding a therapist or psychologist in Atlantic Beach. Perhaps you're interested in narrowing your search for a psychotherapist that can offer psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), talk therapy, provide group therapy, marriage and family therapy for individuals or couples, or couples therapy. Each type of therapy can offer various benefits and address or treat different disorders. If you're still unsure or are new to counseling in Atlantic Beach, feel free to contact the provider via email to find out which methods they practice.

It is also important to understand that mental health professionals in the United States are accredited to provide care, helping individuals and couples, with a variety of licenses. These include licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), and clinical psychologist or doctor of psychology (PsyD). Regardless of their licensure, they are trained to treat individuals and couples counseling, and sometimes children, in any type of therapy. Find a therapist under any of these distinctions and know that the sessions they offer can provide a safe place to heal.

Mental health professionals working through their own in- person therapy practice in Atlantic Beach or online may assist clients in improving healthy relationships, communication skills, working through life transitions, managing a mood disorder, improving coping skills, or change in negative thinking patterns. They may also provide a safe place and validation for clients experiencing emotional pain. Verified providers can provide licensed marriage and couples therapy, tailor to individual needs, and create a therapeutic relationship as a National Certified Counselor.

There are all kinds of therapists working with clients today across the United States and in the greater Atlantic Beach area in different types of therapy, including:

  • CBT
  • DBT
  • Substance use therapy
  • Couples therapy

When you're ready to start your search and find therapists, have in mind what type of therapy you'd like your provider to be most experienced with and choose an experienced provider with a practice located near you in the city of Atlantic Beach, elsewhere in Duval, or in the greater state of Florida.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Some other commonly asked questions on therapy with a licensed counselor and BetterHelp serving the Atlantic Beach area can be found below:

How does the cost of in-person counseling compare to the cost of BetterHelp with a licensed Atlantic Beach therapist?

The average price of an in-person therapy session in the US is $100 to $200 per hour. These prices may be higher in Atlantic Beach due to a higher cost of living. The price also depends on the type of provider you are looking for. See the following average prices for various mental health providers without insurance:

  • Counseling with a psychiatrist: $150-$500
  • Counseling with therapists: $100-300
  • Therapy with a psychologist: $100

While many psychologists in Atlantic Beach may not take health insurance, some in the state of Florida may work on a sliding scale, meaning they'll factor in your income and charge what you can afford per session. With BetterHelp or clinicians throughout the state of Florida you can expect significantly more affordable options, with sessions ranging from $65 to $100 per week (billed every four weeks).

How is a licensed therapist on this online therapy platform verified?

Therapists in Atlantic Beach, Florida working on BetterHelp are licensed, trained, experienced, and accredited as a doctor of psychology (PhD / PsyD), licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW / LICSW), or licensed professional counselors (LPC). All of these psychology clinicians have a Masters Degree or a Doctorate Degree in their field of psychology sciences, and follow the APA Code of Ethics. They have been qualified and certified by their state's professional board after successfully completing the necessary education, exams, training and practice with a patient, and extensive experience in a healthcare clinic or treatment centers, in order to become a mental health provider. While their lived experience, expertise, careers, and background vary, they all possess at least 3 years and 1,000 hours of hands-on experience with adult and sometimes teen patients, and have the necessary therapist credentials to provide a safe space for long lasting emotional healing in therapy. 

Please note BetterHelp does not offer or provide care from psychiatrists to prescribe a drug as treatment, or perform psychological assessments.

How does working with a counselor in BetterHelp online therapy sessions work?

BetterHelp clinicians treat clients online across the United States (individuals and couples) through life transitions, inner child exploration, long term depression or anxiety, and more. An online mental health professional, including the therapists in Atlantic Beach above, can work with young adults, children, adolescents, and adults virtually as an accredited licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) or licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT). You do not have to commute to a an office as a psychotherapy client.

Through BetterHelp therapy, you can partake in video, phone, or live chat therapy sessions with your licensed therapist. You can work through various symptoms, use the in app journaling feature, and receive worksheets. You'll also find support groups or group therapy lead by a therapist in Atlantic Beach helping individuals on topics including managing life transitions, symptoms affecting sexual health, behavioral health, coping skills for anxiety or depression, trauma, stress, marriage counseling, and more. 

What mental health issues can psychotherapy address?

BetterHelp's verified Atlantic Beach therapists specialize and have clinical experience in a wide range of mental health issues and modalities, helping clients to feel better and improve their lives every day. See below for examples.

Specialties on BetterHelp include:

You may also be struggling with relationship problems that could be addressed in couples therapy or with a sex therapist. In that case, you may choose to work with one of BetterHelp's experienced cognitive-behavioral therapists or licensed marriage family therapists (LMFT) who work with clients in relationships. You can also try a Atlantic Beach therapy provider through BetterHelp's sister platform, ReGain, which is dedicated to couples and spouses worldwide. 

How do I know if online counseling is right for my family?

One of the potentially rewarding aspects of working with a therapist is the validation and active listening they can provide. Your friends and loved ones may also be available to listen, but you may feel that they may lack the skills to provide objective guidance. Counselors are trained to respond to various concerns, symptoms, and mental health conditions.

A psychologist in your city can support you toward a healthier emotional state, regardless of your mental health, life concerns, or healing needs. While supporting individuals in developing healthier habits, another good benefit of therapy is having an understanding, safe space with a non-judgmental party who can support you through challenging experiences.

Many people have sensitive topics that they may feel ashamed to discuss with their friends or partner. A Atlantic Beach therapist can help you confront these concerns and open up through unique methods of support. There are also many types of therapy, such as art therapy, where you may find you can express yourself through creativity instead of words.

With a lot of people in FL, providers may be booked out with clients. Through the list of profiles above and others within BetterHelp's team, you may be able to find a psychologist within 24 to 48 hours. If you're searching to find a a nearby psychotherapist close to 32233 or the surrounding zip codes, consider others available through the BetterHelp site. No matter if you are seeking help in your area or beyond, online therapy can be a great option.

How should I prepare for my first therapy session with a Atlantic Beach counselor?

Before seeing your therapist, prep for your session by reading to understand the therapy process. You might write a list of questions you want to ask your psychotherapist, any emotional pain you may feel, and the ways in which you hope to improve. When you attend your session, let them know if you have any concerns about therapy or feel unsure about what to talk about. They may help guide you with open-ended therapeutic questions. The first session will often serve as an intake to get to know you as a person and learn why you're attending therapy.

Should I find a therapist or psychologist if I feel fine? 

Some simply don't feel the need to see a psychologist. However, some people may avoid attending therapy due to stigma or preconceived notions of what therapy entails. Although psychologists often support people with mental health conditions, you do not need a diagnosis or condition to attend therapy. You can discuss grief, relationship concerns, stress, or life changes and ask for general feedback and advice. A Atlantic Beach licensed clinical social worker may help you gain power over your life and emotions while you navigate day-to-day experiences.

Gaining a new perspective on yourself through various therapies might allow you to improve your self-esteem, work through relationships, and gain a better sense of your mental health goals. The success you may find through therapy can be dependent on your process.

People may also attend therapy for specific motives, such as bullying, an autism diagnosis, a desire to learn mindfulness meditation, personality concerns, trouble with office workers, specific phobias, and many other principles.

Is mental health care and therapy worth it? 

Therapy is effective and has the power to change individuals' lives. Each client is at a different stage of their emotional healing journey in life, as each human can be unique in their personality, expression, skills, and goals. A psychologist can target various symptoms, experiences, and personalities to help you feel your best and put you on the path to healing. Unlike advice from a friend, family, or non-professional, a mental health professional has an understanding of various disorders like ADHD and depression with many hours of experience in treating adults in their practice. For this reason, seeing an evidence based psychologist in Atlantic Beach, Florida can be worth it. Over 41 million adults in the US attend therapy services each year, showing it's a popular option and is proven to be effective.

Atlantic Beach has many clinicians who practice person or client-centered individual therapy in-person and through online therapy to assist clients in their healing journey. If you opt into online therapy, you might also be able to meet with providers all over the United States and change therapists easily at any time. Many people struggling with anxiety and depression, substance abuse, body image issues, and more find therapists that are a good fit for them, feel supported, and gain further insight into their lives through internet-based therapy.

Do therapists judge you in therapy sessions?

The boundaries between you and a therapist are in place to help you and them regarding ethical concerns. Mental health professionals are held by ethical standards through the American Psychological Association (APA) and are not allowed to judge or harm their clients. If you are concerned about sharing details about yourself, feel free to withhold personal information. Their job in the therapeutic relationship is to create a safe place, help you gain a deeper understanding of your mental health, and support you. You might consider changing counselors if you don't feel safe or respected.

Stay up to date with the leading online counseling platform

To stay up to date with BetterHelp's initiatives through their social channels, you can follow them on PinterestLinkedInInstagramTwitter, and Facebook. For mental health tips, check out the BetterHelp YouTube channel.

Take some time today to learn more about the team of therapists at BetterHelp to understand the services available to you clearly. If you are new to therapy or have any questions about the services and terms, please reach out through the contact page or send an email to contact@betterhelp.com.

If you’re ready to sign up for online therapy, consider signing up with a platform like BetterHelp and get matched within 24 to 48 hours.

If you are experiencing a crisis or emergency, don't use this site's online services. If you are in life-threatening danger, call 911. If you require support for a crisis, reach out to the hotlines below:

A woman meets with a therapist online in her home city of Atlantic Beach.

Below are some of the zip codes served by BetterHelp therapists in Atlantic Beach:

32233

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