Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Bradenton, FL

Life can feel overwhelming when anxiety, depression, family conflict, or painful experiences leave you feeling emotionally exhausted and unsure where to turn next. You may be trying to hold everything together for everyone else while quietly struggling yourself, wondering if things will ever feel different. Healing is possible, and you don't have to face those challenges alone. I specialize in helping clients navigate substance use and addiction, anxiety, depression, family issues, and women's issues so they can rediscover hope, strengthen important relationships, and create a healthier, more fulfilling future. I work with adolescents, adults, and seniors because I believe every person deserves a compassionate space where they feel genuinely heard, understood, and empowered to move forward with confidence.

I'm Karina Astigarrabia Ferraz, PMHNP-BC — a Board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner practicing in Florida. Before specializing in psychiatry, I spent years as a Board certified nurse in cardiac intensive care, an experience that deepened my understanding of how the mind and body are inseparable. That background shapes the way I practice: I see mental health as rooted in biology, physiology, and lived experience — not just symptoms to be managed. I believe therapy is one of the most powerful and underutilized tools in mental health care. My work centers on evidence-based approaches — Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Interpersonal Therapy — integrated with a positive psychiatry framework that focuses on your strengths, resilience, and capacity to heal. When medication is appropriate, I incorporate it thoughtfully as part of a broader, individualized plan. Clients often describe me as warm, unhurried, and genuinely curious about their lives. I collaborate with Brain X Dynamics as an independent clinician, sharing a commitment to whole-person, holistic care — including attention to brain metabolism and the biological foundations of emotional well-being.

I believe that effective mental health care starts with trust, respect, and open communication. My goal is to create a supportive, judgment-free space where you feel comfortable discussing your concerns and experiences. I work with individuals facing a variety of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, mood disorders, ADHD, trauma-related concerns, and other psychiatric conditions. Together, we'll focus on understanding your unique experiences and developing a treatment plan that aligns with your goals and values.

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Melanie D’Souza, LMHC with six years of experience helping adults work through depression, anxiety, trauma and addiction. I am also trained in EMDR, an evidenced-based approach that can help process and heal from past experiences that continue to affect the present.

Welcome, and come as you are. I believe meaningful change begins with understanding yourself on a deeper level. Many of the struggles we experience in adulthood, whether in relationships, self-worth, anxiety, trauma, communication, or life satisfaction, are shaped by patterns that developed long before we were aware of them. Often these patterns started as adaptations, ways of coping or relating that once helped us navigate our family or environment and made sense at the time. My role is to help you identify those patterns, understand why they exist, and create lasting change rather than simply managing symptoms.

Struggling with insomnia, anxiety, or depression? Together, we'll build practical skills to help you sleep better, break unhelpful patterns, and move toward a life that feels more meaningful. I'm a goal-focused therapist who believes lasting change happens one step at a time. Progress isn't about perfection—it's about continuing to move forward, one step at a time.

As a therapist born and raised in Miami, Florida, within a rich Haitian American and Caribbean culture, I understand the importance of connection, community, and resilience. My heritage has shaped the way I approach healing with warmth, empathy, and deep respect for each person’s unique story. In my practice, I strive to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can feel seen, heard, and supported. Clients often describe me as kind-hearted, understanding, and compassionate. Together, we’ll work toward meaningful change and a more fulfilling life, one step and one moment at a time.

Do you feel broken, beaten down by life's circumstances, trapped in your current existence, or tethered to a life you never wanted? Life can be stressful and overwhelming to ​say the least. You can feel stuck in life and lose hope of ever having the life you dreamed of before the path you were on was changed. Maybe a loved one died, you got pregnant, you lost your job, or you moved away from all your support system to a place where you feel truly alone. Or hell, the whole world gets hit with a sudden virus that hits pandemic heights.

Ever feel like every time you take a step forward, life knocks you down a flight of stairs? Now not only do you have to get back up, but the next step forward is uphill. You may be experiencing difficulty adjusting to the changes in your life. This can be exhausting and very tempting to give up on those dreams you had and begin settling for what life is now. You can feel trapped in a life you hate, doing a job you wake up everyday dreading to go to, and surrounding yourself with people you don't really care for.

What if the things that used to help you relax are not helping anymore and you cannot simply stop? You can feel powerless and stuck in a cycle that will not release you. Sometimes if feels like you can see the world crumbling around you but you cannot stop it. It can feel hopeless. No one deserves to live that way.

​What if I told you it didn't have to be that way? What if I told you that your dreams were still achievable but maybe need some adjustments in order to reach them? Are you ready to break the chains binding you to this unhappy existence? Do you wish to feel free of the stress and anxiety that keeps you feeling stuck?

It is true! You can still achieve your dreams! There may need to be a few modifications but you CAN be HAPPY! I will help guide you as you forge a new path to your dream life. Many times the circumstances in your life that have trapped you are molehills compared to the obstacle you can become to your own success. It didn't happen willingly, but you have begun to tell yourself, "I don't deserve my dream life. It is not possible to achieve it. It's just too much for me to handle. I will get to it later."

Eventually putting your dreams on the back burner leads you to have resentments and regrets. Let's change that trajectory together. We will identify the problematic thought patterns that have sabotaged your dreams and held you hostage. We will challenge them with truth and reality grounding you in the present moment and looking for the things you are grateful for in this life. We will then work together to change those thought patterns to new ones that encourage and create success. We will build you a support system that builds you up, provides your wind to soar, and cheers you on even when you are not feeling like you can rise to the challenge. YOU WILL FLY!!!​

Are you ready to break free, spread your wings, and soar? Call me for a free consultation! Let's set you on your journey to a life you enjoy!

My name is Cora McNeese Nelson and I am an Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the state of Florida. I provide counseling services via telehealth which is a fancy way of saying my services all occur through video sessions, phone calls, or messaging plans. This can offer some flexibility in scheduling as neither of us have to commute to an office and I can offer services later in the evening than typical business hours. There are several benefits to telehealth services, but these services are not appropriate for everyone or every situation. Feel free to do a free consultation to find out if telehealth services with me are a good fit for you.

I have 9 years of experience working in psychiatric nursing before becoming a nurse practitioner. I worked at Northeast Florida State Hospital in Macclenny, Florida for 9 years as an Registered Nurse. I understand the pitfalls of institutionalization and the path of recovery is a long one but still is achievable with the right support system.

I am a licensed mental health counselor that is also National Board Certified. I have worked with clients of diverse ages and cultural backgrounds including adults in outpatient settings, youth and families in community-based programs and individuals in the jail system. I have experience treating addiction, grief, trauma, depression, anxiety and relationship issues.