Giselle Costales

I believe everyone deserves a space where they feel heard, understood, and accepted without judgment. Starting therapy can feel like a big step, and my goal is to make that process feel comfortable, supportive, and personal. I want my clients to know they don’t have to have everything figured out before reaching out—we can simply start where you are.

I’m Giselle, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida with experience working with children, adolescents, young adults, and families. I served as a clinician with Florida International University’s Child Anxiety and Phobia Program and have also worked with FIU’s Summer Treatment Program, supporting children with anxiety, behavioral challenges, and emotional needs.

My experience includes individual counseling, parent support and training, behavior modification, exposure-based interventions, crisis management, coordination of care, and vocational support. I have also worked with individuals who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing, with an emphasis on individualized communication and accessible care. Additionally, I have specialized training in grief counseling and experience supporting individuals through loss and significant life transitions.

After several years in private practice, I’m excited to build my own practice and provide care centered around compassion, genuine connection, and individualized treatment.

I believe therapy is not one-size-fits-all. I take the time to understand each client’s unique experiences, strengths, and goals so we can work together toward meaningful change. My hope is that you feel comfortable being yourself, supported in your journey, and empowered to take the next step.

My approach to therapy is warm, compassionate, and collaborative. I value active listening and creating a space where clients feel genuinely heard, respected, and understood. I believe in looking beyond a diagnosis and taking the time to understand the symptoms, experiences, and circumstances that may be affecting a person’s well-being. Rather than defining someone by a diagnosis, I focus on understanding what they are experiencing and how we can work together toward meaningful change.

I believe therapy should be guided by each client’s values and goals. Together, we identify what is most important to you, establish realistic goals, and develop practical strategies that fit your individual needs.

I have experience working with children, adolescents, and families experiencing separation anxiety, generalized anxiety, specific phobias, depression, ADHD, adjustment difficulties, and behavioral challenges. My clinical experience includes exposure therapy, behavioral modification, crisis support, and executive functioning skills related to attention, organization, impulse control, and hyperactivity.

I also support children and adolescents through important transitions, including moving from elementary to middle school and middle school to high school. I help clients build coping skills, confidence, and practical tools to navigate academic, social, and emotional changes.

When working with parents, I provide guidance and practical strategies to better understand and support their child’s emotional and behavioral needs. Throughout therapy, I focus on each client’s strengths, progress, and individual goals.

Above all, I want therapy to feel like a place where you can be yourself, feel heard, and feel supported as you take steps toward the life you want.

I strive to create a warm, supportive, and judgment-free environment where clients feel safe to be themselves and comfortable sharing their experiences. I value active listening and believe in understanding the whole person rather than defining someone by a diagnosis. I focus on understanding their symptoms, experiences, strengths, values, and individual circumstances.

Together, we identify what matters most to the client and establish realistic, meaningful goals. Depending on their needs, goals may include developing healthier coping skills, improving emotional regulation, building confidence, strengthening communication and relationships, increasing independence, improving executive functioning, managing anxiety or behavioral challenges, and navigating life transitions.

With children and adolescents, I often focus on helping them understand their emotions, develop practical coping strategies, build confidence, and strengthen skills they can use at home, at school, and in their relationships. I also work closely with parents when appropriate, providing support and practical strategies to help them better understand and respond to their child’s needs.

My hope is that clients leave therapy feeling more understood, empowered, and confident in their ability to navigate challenges. I believe progress happens through a trusting therapeutic relationship, achievable goals, and recognizing the strengths that each person already brings with them.