Brittany Pellegrino LMHC

Growing up in a family plagued by the painful challenges of addiction and mental illness, I was drawn to this field because I wanted to learn how to help families like mine. I believe I am well-suited to be a therapist because I am able to relate to and convey compassion and understanding easily to my clients. I have worked in a wide variety of settings, including community agencies, schools, jails, and private practice. I have specialized training in trauma-certified cognitive behavioral therapy, school counseling, play therapy, and art expression techniques. I believe that I have a wide skill set that helps me tailor my approach to the needs and personalities of the clients I am working with.

I will start therapy by answering any questions that the client may have and thoroughly explain the client-counselor relationship and the process of therapy. I try to be as comprehensive as possible during the initial session so that I can develop a complete picture of the client's world and fully understand what is bringing them to therapy. I am a strengths-based, goal-oriented therapist; together, the client and I will form goals and a road map of where they would like therapy to take them. Along the way, I may assign homework or suggest readings or resources to help the client enhance their progress toward their goals. I enjoy working with young children, adolescents, adults, and couples. I specialize in treating clients with anxiety and depression, addiction issues, codependency and relationship issues, emotional regulation issues, trauma, life adjustment issues, occupational issues, school-based problems, peer issues, and family problems.

I am most excited about learning and implementing new and evidence-based techniques to help children and adolescents make sense of their ever-evolving worlds through the use of mindfulness, coping skills training, child-friendly CBT approaches, play therapy techniques, and art expressive techniques.

• Florida, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, MH16001

I graduated from the University of South Florida with a bachelor's degree in Sociology and a minor in Behavioral Healthcare. I received my master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Psychology from Troy University. I have been in the mental health field for over 10 years and have worked in a wide variety of settings including community mental health agencies, schools, telehealth, nonprofits, mobile crisis, and private practice. I specialize in trauma and am certified in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). I am also a Certified School Counselor and am trained in treating school-based issues. In addition, I am currently working on my Registered Play Therapy (RPT) certification. Some of my specialty areas include: child and adolescent issues, post traumatic stress, mood disorders, anxiety and depression, occupational issues, communication issues, family and relationship problems, sexual and physical abuse, codependency, addictions, and life transitions.