Abraham Knowles

Reaching out for therapy takes something, and I do not take it lightly when someone decides to start. I have spent 27 years sitting with people through anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship strain, and the stretches of life that feel heavier than they should. Whatever brought you here, chances are I have walked alongside someone through something similar, and I have watched people come out the other side. My style is warm and affirming, and I will gently challenge you when that is what moves things forward.

I work as a school social worker and have experience in group counseling, substance abuse, and home health. I volunteer with my church youth group. I love working with adolescents (age 10 & older) and adults. I can incorporate Christian principles if clients want this but am comfortable working with clients of all or no faiths. I work virtually across Florida, so we can meet from wherever you are comfortable. If you have been thinking about starting, I would be glad to hear what is on your mind. Reach out and we can find a time that works.

My approach is practical and collaborative. We start with what is actually bothering you, and I use the method that fits the problem rather than one method for everyone. For anxiety and depression, that often means cognitive behavioral therapy to work with the thoughts that keep you stuck, plus behavioral activation to help you get moving again when everything feels like too much. For trauma and PTSD, I am trained in cognitive processing therapy and prolonged exposure, two of the most established trauma treatments, and we go at a pace you set. For OCD and panic, I use exposure and response prevention, which has the strongest track record of anything we have for those. When the work is more about relationships or making sense of your own story, I lean on interpersonal and narrative approaches. You will always know why we are doing what we are doing.

Our first session is mostly me listening. You tell me what has been going on and what you would like to be different, and I ask questions to understand the fuller picture. I will do a thorough assessment and create a treatment plan during the first session. By the end we will have a rough plan for where to start, and you should leave feeling like someone finally has the whole story.