Dr. Dasha Highsmith

My name is Dr. Dasha Highsmith (pronounced Day-Shah), and I have over 12 years of experience — first as a School Psychologist and more recently as a Licensed Psychologist in the State of Florida. Whatever brought you here, whether it's anxiety, depression, stress that's become unmanageable, a hard family or relationship dynamic, grief, or questions about ADHD or a learning difference, I'd be glad to help. I bring a genuine belief in ease of access to resources for all members of society, and my dual background in schools and clinical practice means I understand both the emotional and the practical sides of what you're navigating — especially if you're a parent trying to get the right support for your child. I earned my doctorate at Florida State University, and my work draws from behavioral, cognitive, mindfulness-based, and interpersonal approaches.

My approach is warm, collaborative, and open-minded, and I genuinely enjoy helping people navigate hard situations while finding practical ways to cope, grow, and move forward. My focus includes anxiety disorders, life changes and adjustment difficulties, depression and mood disorders, neurodevelopmental differences (ADHD, autism, intellectual disabilities, learning disorders), relationship challenges, and personality disorders, among others. Depending on what you need, I draw on cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive processing therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness-based work, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused approaches. I'll also bring a sense of humor when it helps — hard work doesn't have to feel heavy every single minute.

I believe therapy should meet you where you are and help you move toward a life that feels meaningful and authentic to you. In our first session, we'll learn about each other and identify where you are right now, the tools you already have, and how I can help you get where you want to be. This may include checklists, questionnaires, or brief surveys to give us a clearer picture. I believe strongly in goodness-of-fit and in building a trusting connection, because that's what makes treatment actually work. There's no pressure to have anything figured out beforehand — let's figure it out together!