What do you think is the biggest barrier today for people seeking care?
There is often a fear of seeking support due to the stigma attatched to mental health. Fear of loss of privacy. That is why I work with you in a way that is confidential, private and maintains anonymity.
Is there any research-based work you’ve done that you found particularly exciting, and how has that informed your practice today?
As a trained EMDR therapist I have witnessed rapid results that clients have not achieved in years of therapy. I am pleased to offer this highly sought after and evidenced-based therapy. If you are looking for results an assessment to see if this intervention is right for you is available.
Are there any recurring themes or issues you’ve noticed as you treat people in your area of specialization, and how has this insight guided your approach?
No matter your level of education, your experience or profession negative underlying cognitions are not easily rooted out by logic and common sense alone. Often deep cognitive work addressing real and perceived trauma or faulty beliefs must be addressed by an experienced clinican who can help guide you to adaptive shifts in thinking.
Specialties
Anxiety
Anxiety can mean nervousness, worry, or self-doubt. Anxiety disorder is a mental health disorder that entails excessive, repeated bouts of worry, anxiety, and/or fear.
Mood disorders
Mood disorder is a broad term used to include the different types of depressive and bipolar disorders, all of which affect mood. With a mood disorder, your moods may range from extremely low to extremely high or irritable.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is a condition that is precipitated by a perceived terrifying event. This event need not occur directly to the person but may happen vicariously—having seen something terrible happen to another person. The condition may last months or years while symptoms include ruminating thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares, intense anxiety when triggered, and potential substance abuse in attempt to cope.
Trauma
Trauma is the result of experiencing a perceived, extremely distressful event. Although the stress threshold for each person differs, meaning that each person considers and experiences trauma differently, it is an event that tops one’s threshold. It exceeds one’s ability to cope or emotionally process. Symptoms may include shock, anxiety, confusion, hopelessness, feeling disconnected, mood swings, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts.
Couples
Provides couples therapy/counseling
General Expertise
Loss/Grief
Grief is a reaction to an emotionally significant loss and often comes with symptoms of depression or anxiety. These symptoms can remain intense and last for a long time after a loss, making it difficult to move forward with a healthy lifestyle.
Abuse/Survivors of abuse
Abuse includes any significant mistreatment along the lines of psychical, emotional, sexual, verbal, and neglect. Survivors of abuse may experience negative thoughts and feelings, flashbacks, distrust of others, social withdrawal, self-harm, and increased likelihood of developing mental health and substance abuse issues.
Adolescent mental health
Adolescent mental health focuses on adolescent-specific experiences including physical and cognitive development, social and environmental factors, sex, sexual identification and orientation, emotional processing, and substance use. Given the influence that parents/guardians have on adolescents, home life is a particularly important consideration.
Bipolar disorder
Characterized by alternating symptoms of depression and mania. During more extreme episodes, depression may lead to the point of suicidal ideation and attempts while extreme bouts of mania are marked by impulsive behavior, lack of sleep, elevated esteem, and even psychosis.
Codependency
Involves a person sacrificing their needs to meet the needs of others. Their thoughts and actions center on a significant other, spouse, friend, or relative. Becomes an issue when relationships are unbalanced and unhealthy.
Fees
$150
First Session
$175
Family Therapy
$175
Couples Therapy
$150
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Family Session
Couples Session
Individual Session
Clientele
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Seniors (65+)
Adolescents (13-17)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Mindfulness Practices
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
Psychological Testing and Evaluation
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Training / Certifications
(ARC)Attunement, Regulation and Competency
Motivational Interviewing
Mindfulness
(EMDR) Eye Movement and Desenstization and Reprocessing
(CBT) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Trauma Focused
Brief Solution Focused Therapy
Licensure
FL, LMHC, MH17892
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Master's of Education and Counseling
Masters of Education and School Counseling
Work History
Alissa is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Florida and completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at Marshall University in Huntington, WV. Alissa attended Ohio University where she studied Clinical Counseling and School Counseling for a dual Masters in Education Degree, graduating in 2004. Alissa specializes in trauma counseling, individual, family and couples therapy with training in several evidenced based models such as (EMDR) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, TF-CBT, ARC, Mindfulness, and Motivational Interviewing. Alissa has a broad background in diagnosing and treatment of mental health disorders, as well as extensive experience with treatment of anxiety, depression, acute trauma, complex trauma and PTSD.
Location
Gulf Gate, Sarasota, 34231, FL