What was your path to becoming a therapist? What inspired you to choose this profession?
Growing up in South Florida, even as the somewhat nerdy but still cool guy whose mom was the best teacher, proved to be very challenging. When I got into UF by the skin of my SAT's, I wanted to learn, grow, and gain understanding about myself and others. I wanted to return to my community and help others like myself. The more life experiences I have had, the more I find others like myself. I love helping and I enjoy continually getting better at it.
In what ways do your life philosophy and treatment philosophy overlap?
Essential to my life philosophy is the belief that people can indeed change. I have found hope in my own life and it is a great joy to be able to help others find hope in theirs. I have learned to respect myself in my journey and I believe I bring that same hope, that same impetus, that same belief into therapy. Change is possible and hope is a thought away. Motivation can be sparked.
How do you determine therapy goals with clients? What does that process look like?
The first part of determining goals is getting to know the client. It is essential to understand the client and what is important to them. Helping the client to clarify what the issues are is the next step. Prioritizing and choosing what issues to address is the client's decision, while I, as therapist, can provide guidance and direction. Often in the course of working on treatment goals, others are identified.
Specialties
Depression
Depression often causes people to feel sad, empty, or hopeless, and can cause a lack of interest in life. It can also affect a person's thinking patterns and physical health.
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.
Relationship Issues
Refers relationship issues with a partner or spouse. Can include issues related to relationship distress, relationship satisfaction, communication, intimacy, etc.
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.
Self-Esteem
Self-esteem is the degree to which a person feels confident, valuable, and worthy of respect. Feeling low self-esteem can influence overall well-being and be linked to anxiety and/or depression.
General Expertise
Depression
Depression often causes people to feel sad, empty, or hopeless, and can cause a lack of interest in life. It can also affect a person's thinking patterns and physical health.
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.
Careers
Designed to help people choose, change, or leave a career at any stage of life. Careers are often wrapped up in people’s perceived identity, therefore, any change can cause anxiety and/or depression.
Work Stress
Workplace issues are a common source of stress and can include interpersonal conflict, communication problems, gossip, harassment, discrimination, low motivation and job satisfaction, performance issues, and poor job fit.
Relationship Issues
Refers relationship issues with a partner or spouse. Can include issues related to relationship distress, relationship satisfaction, communication, intimacy, etc.
Fees
$100
First Session
$100
Family Therapy
$100
Couples Therapy
$100
Group Therapy
$100
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Family Session
Couples Session
Individual Session
Group Session
Retreats
Clientele
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Adolescents (13-17)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Person-Centered Therapy
Licensure
FL, LMHC, MH20349
Education
Master Arts in Counseling Psychology
Work History
My previous experience includes providing therapy to individuals with depression, anxiety, bipolar depression and addiction. I have worked in both community mental health settings and telehealth platform settings. Most recently I worked as a therapist counseling individuals experiencing their first episodes of psychosis in their lives during the pandemic. I have worked with children and adolescents along with their families in helping them overcome academic and behavioral difficulties in school and home settings. I have also worked in elementary and high school settings as well as juvenile detention facilities and homeless shelters. The most recent advent of telehealth and ease of access it provides clients is a positive thing. Connecting with clients, building a relationship on trust, understanding them and their lives from their perspective, is the cornerstone of effective counseling. From there, client and therapist can explore thought life as it pertains to their experience. The road to change is taken at the client's pace and from the client's perspective, with the therapist as a guide at times helping to assess motivation, encourage, and develop insight.
Location
4581 SW Image Drive, Port St. Lucie, 34953, FL